Luxury Walking Holidays Tuscany
Explore Garfagnana Valley’s untouched forests and secluded mountain paths
Savour traditional Tuscan dishes and Garfagnana’s own DOC wines
Visit age-old villages like Barga and Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, steeped in history
Hike through the Apuan Alps and Orecchiella Natural Reserve for a rewarding challenge
Relax in five-star lodgings overlooking the Serchio River or Apuan Alps
Follow a detailed itinerary that guides you through Garfagnana’s hidden gems and scenic routes
Relish the reward of invigorating hikes
Witness breathtaking views of the Appenine mountains
Discover the Apuan Alps, your enchanting trekking destination
Relish in the charm of ancient villages like Castelnuovo
Capture the scenic allure at Lago di Vagli
Experience the freedom of exploring Tuscany's s most famous sights
Enjoy invigorating hikes and return to luxury accommodations
Itinerary
Your home base for the week will be the delightful town of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, situated roughly two hours from Pisa Airport. To get a feel for the area, take some time to wander its streets and discover its hidden nooks and crannies.
After a hearty breakfast in Castelnuovo, a private transfer will take you to the charming village of Pruno, the starting point for your hike into Orecchiella National Park. The trail gently rises to the flat summit of Pania di Corfino, where you’ll be treated to awe-inspiring vistas. Following a leisurely break at the summit, you’ll head to the 16th-century hamlet of Campaiana and then descend along an ancient mule path to Corfino.
Your day begins with a 40-minute drive to the quaint village of Vianova, where your trek into the Alpi Apuane National Park commences. The initial ascent follows a broad forest trail, leading through beech forests to the first viewpoint, offering views of Pania della Croce and the Omo Morto range. From here, a footpath takes you up to a limestone plateau, with an optional climb to Monte Sumbra‘s summit. After a summit lunch, you’ll head back to your starting point.
Today offers a more relaxed pace. Starting from your Castelnuovo hotel, you’ll walk to Castiglione di Garfagnana, a stunning mediaeval town famous for hosting the area’s largest chestnut festival each fall. After soaking in the scenery, you’ll make your way back to your Castelnuovo lodging.
This day is yours to explore nearby Tuscan cities like Lucca, Florence, or Pisa, all easily accessible by train. Whichever city you choose, you’ll return to Castelnuovo with a renewed sense of awe for the Tuscan region.
A brief 25-minute private transfer to Lago di Vagli, known for its underwater village and the striking backdrop of Monte Sumbra, sets the stage for today’s hike. Starting from Vagli Sotto, a narrow trail leads you to Vagli Sopra, from where you’ll climb through chestnut forests to reach the 16th-century shepherd’s hamlet of Campocatino. You’ll then ascend to the day’s highest point at 1190m before descending to San Viviano’s Hermitage, now a chapel and pilgrimage site. A seldom-used mountain path with valley views will guide you back to your pick-up location.
Your day starts with a 40-minute drive to the small ski resort of Casone. A walk through beech forests leads you to the Crinali Ridge, part of the extensive Apennine Ridge in the Appennino Tosco-Emiliano National Park. This ridge offers some of the week’s most stunning views. An easy trail along this undulating ridge takes you to Monte Prado, Tuscany’s highest peak at 2054m. After a mountaintop lunch, you’ll retrace your steps and descend through another forested path back to Casone.
Your final morning includes one last breakfast before you say your farewells to Castelnuovo and the captivating Tuscan landscape.
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Pricing
Included in price
Tour design and organisation
24/7 service and support during your holidays
GPS navigation with an easy-to-use app
7x half-board accommodation in 4/5* hotels
Transfers as per itinerary
Description
Imagine this: You’re wandering through the lush landscapes of Garfagnana, a secluded treasure tucked between the Apuan Alps and the Apennines of Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna. Here, time has a different pace, dictated by the natural cycles of the seasons and the sun’s daily arc across the sky.
While the hikes offer their own set of challenges, they serve as a fulfilling gateway to Tuscany’s multifaceted terrains. Every step you take unveils awe-inspiring panoramas and undiscovered pockets of natural splendour. With plenty of time to roam freely, you’ll find yourself deeply connected to the enchanting essence of Tuscany.
As your dedicated travel companion, we prioritise your comfort and enjoyment. We carefully manage the reservations for your upscale lodging, furnish you with a comprehensive handout, and provide you with an intuitive GPS navigation app for effortless exploration.
From curated local suggestions to prompt resolution of any logistical hiccups, we’ve got all the bases covered. Your lodgings will be the epitome of luxury, complete with included transfers and a focus on culinary experiences that will delight your senses.
This is your chance to live the genuine Italian way of life, form a deep bond with this remarkable land and its inhabitants, and craft your very own narrative of Tuscany. Are you prepared to set out on this extraordinary adventure?
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Things to know
Our tours are designed to cater to a broad range of people, but some days can be quite challenging, with long distances and significant elevation gain. We aim to minimize this as much as possible while ensuring a high-quality experience. To fully enjoy our tours, you should be accustomed to walking for 4-6 hours, overcoming around 600 meters of elevation gain.
However, Alta Via 1 hut-to-hut hikes and Tour du Mont Blanc are more demanding and require a higher fitness level. On these tours, you may need to hike up to 8 hours per day and tackle substantial elevation gain.
Yes, our hiking holidays are appropriate for children who are physically prepared and have a good balance. However, to guarantee the safety and enjoyment of our young participants, we suggest that they should be at least eight years old to join our tours.
Proper footwear is crucial for our walking tours. We recommend wearing sturdy hiking shoes with ankle support for all our hikes. The terrain can be uneven, rocky, and slippery. Wearing sneakers can be dangerous, especially if you are not accustomed to hiking on such surfaces, as they do not offer enough protection and support. Robust shoes also provide the necessary support when your legs get tired during long hikes.
Yes, we highly recommend booking in advance to secure your spot. The earlier you book, the better the chances are of getting your preferred options. If you book close to the start of the season or during the season, we may not be able to guarantee availability in the hotels and apartments. Therefore, it is best to make reservations as soon as possible to avoid any inconvenience.
It is essential to note that accommodations at the destinations of our walking tours are in high demand during the summer season. Therefore, early booking is crucial to secure your preferred type of housing. However, we assure you that we will always try our best to provide you with the most suitable lodging based on your preferences. Rest assured that we will do everything possible to ensure that your stay is comfortable and enjoyable.
Our tours are well-organized, and all the destinations are easily accessible and straightforward to navigate. Therefore, it is unlikely that you will require a guide. Our comprehensive handout will provide you with all the essential information while still allowing you the freedom of a self-guided holiday.
However, if you prefer to have a guide, please let us know, and we will make the necessary arrangements for you.
Most of the accommodations we provide offer vegetarian and vegan options for breakfast. Additionally, you will find no shortage of vegetarian and vegan menus in restaurants during the tour. However, it is worth noting that some mountain huts on Alta Via 1 or Tour du Mont Blanc may not offer vegan meals. In such situations, it is advisable to bring your own food to ensure that your dietary needs are met.
The best time to go on a walking holiday in Italy varies depending on the location you plan to visit. Destinations such as the Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre, and Sicily are best visited during early spring and fall when the weather is pleasant, and the crowds are fewer.
However, in areas like the Dolomites or around Mont Blanc, hiking is not possible when there is snow high up in the mountains. Therefore, the hiking season in these areas is limited from late June to late September. It is advisable to plan your trip accordingly to get the best out of your walking holiday in Italy.
We can best advise you after receiving a filled-out inquiry form.
While hiking in light rain is manageable, it is important to note that hiking during a storm can be dangerous. It is advisable to schedule hikes early in the day during the summer months to avoid thunderstorms. However, if the weather forecast predicts severe weather, it is best to reschedule your walk for another day or explore different tour options.
Your safety is our top priority, and we will always work with you to find a suitable solution in case of inclement weather.
Most of the destinations for our walking tours in Italy have excellent public transportation. While renting a car can provide flexibility, several locations cannot be comfortably accessed by car. Instead, we suggest relying on public transport to reduce stress and have a more environmentally friendly experience.
We provide all the necessary information for buses, trains, and ferries to ensure that you can reach your destination with ease. By using public transport, we can also reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable travel experience.
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