Tuscany among bridges, castles and green mountains: La Garfagnana

La Garfagnana is an area of ​​Tuscany in the province of Lucca, between the Apuan Alps and the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, bordering Lunigiana, Versilia, Emilia Romagna and the middle Serchio valley.
From our bed and breakfats you can reach by car in about 1 hour and 30 minutes, being so free to explore it and discover it even in its most hidden and less touristy corners.

The whole area is rich in bridges (due to the great presence of rivers and streams), castles and fortresses immersed in a lush nature characterized by the alternation of mountains and valleys.

The Ponte del Diavolo, that is the bridge of the Maddalena, crosses the river Serchio and was very used by the pilgrims who traveled along the Via Francigena; the highest point reaches 18 meters and has an unmistakable and unique shape.
Legend has it that it was built by Satan who would have demanded the soul of those who had first crossed it; but the inhabitants of the town were smarter and made a goat go first!

In the area we find the village of Gallicano, a small village dating back to the feudal era once had about 11 towers, and where today you can admire the castle.

Also noteworthy are the visits of the Grotte del Vento, located in the hilly area to the left of the river Serchio, characterized by many limestone tunnels where you can admire beautiful stalactites and stalagmites, underground lakes and small streams that disappear underground , and the Hermitage of Calomini, a church dedicated to Mary and the martyrs saints and set in the rock of the mountain, very suggestive. In summer it is always open, while at other times of the year it is preferable to book the visit, or to go there on Sunday.

Discovering the Garfagnana by car you can see the famous Monte forato from the bottom of the valley, a real hole on the top of the mountain, where it is possible to plan a trekking excursion.

For families and more, a visit to the fortress of Verrucole, recently renovated and used as an archeopark where it is possible to rediscover the ancient uses of medieval families, defense techniques and participate in illuminated writing laboratories and the origin of pigments for colorations.

For sports enthusiasts the Garfagnana certainly does not disappoint, indeed offers many ideas and events: from the epic Garfagnana, a two-day MTB course from the Apuan Alps to the Apennines, which will take place on 2 and 3 June 2018, or the countless trekking, from the simplest to the most challenging, or to the discovery of marvelous naturalistic oases such as the Orecchiella park, in San Romano in Garfagnana.

Fortezza di Verrucole Archeopark

Garfagnana epic

Garfagnana EPIC: from the Alps to the Appennines
One of the hardest and most spectacular path in Italy: 150 Km and 6.000 vertical meters along the paths that connect the Alps to the Appennine Tosco Emiliano. Two exciting MTB days: 2 and 3 June 2018 Garfagnana EPIC.