Guided by AlterEco's guides, you will begin the route from Pontevecchio, one of the most important and mysterious archaeological areas in Lunigiana and beyond, where as many as 9 stele statues were found in the early 1900s, dating back to the 4th century BC.
You will then follow a beautiful path through the verdant forests of this valley to the Tecchia di Tenerano, a large cave carved into the cavernous limestone, used by humans and animals during prehistoric times and in more recent times to house animals on the mountain pasture.
After exploring the possible part of this beautiful cave, in which remains of concretions are visible and there is also a small lake, you will reach Tenerano where you can refresh yourself with a tasting at the town's Circle, before returning to Pontevecchio.
Additional information:
A day in the villages and forests of the Lucido Valley, immersed in the nature of the Apuan Alps Regional Park.
You will walk along a lesser-known but equally interesting route rich in naturalistic and historical emergencies.
Starting from Equi Terme, thanks to an ancient mule track, you will reach the medieval village of Aiola with an evocative view of the valley and the fortified hamlet of Monte dei Bianchi and its vineyards.The route then encounters mineral springs and hot springs with very special waters, Romanesque bridges and chestnut forests and returns to Equi Terme by skirting the Lucido Stream, so named for the clarity of its waters.
Additional information:
In the Monte Grugola Green Area specially equipped for forest bathing practices, you will have the opportunity to participate in two hours of true immersion in the forest.
Accompanied by a Forest & Nature Therapy Guide, you will be able to connect with the trees to learn from them useful lessons to become more in tune with nature but also to improve your psychophysical well-being.
Additional information:
On this hike you will walk up the Bagnone Stream along an easy path that winds through a dense mixed forest of chestnut, alder and beech trees until you reach Capanne di Garbia, in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines National Park. You will walk slowly, accompanied by the breath of the forest and the flow of water, in a natural environment of evocative beauty, interspersing the walk with moments to listen and connect more deeply with Nature through sensory experiences.
Additional information:
A day immersed in the nature of the Northern Apuan Alps where you can delve into a still unspoiled place and admire breathtaking views.
You will start from the village of Vinca, nestled in a typical alpine landscape dominated by the most famous peaks of the northern Apuan Alps, Pizzo d'Uccello, Mt. Grondilice and Mt. Sagro. The route will offer you stupendous views of these peaks and the valley, until you reach the Garnerone Refuge and then Foce Rasori from which there is a splendid view of the coast and the Ligurian Sea. You will return on the same route and on arrival you will have the opportunity to visit the village that still retains the characteristics of rural mountain civilization, recommended stop at the historic Andreina's store where you can buy Vinca's famous wood-fired bread and focaccia.
Additional information:
Accompanied by AlterEco Guides you will spend a day immersed in the nature of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines in this area rich in naturalistic emergencies, geological features and botanical rarities.
You will walk along the Via dei Lombardi, an ancient paved historic road nestled in Sassalbo's centuries-old chestnut orchards. This trail will take you through ancient glaciers, peat bogs, glacial lakes and beech forests to the ancient Ospedalaccio Pass where there was once an Ospitale, which provided assistance and shelter to those crossing the Apennines. The trail will then descend to the Torbid Water Canal with accelerated erosion upstream and reach the pasture meadows of Camporaghena characterized by numerous sinkholes and exceptional blooms of daffodils and wild orchids that can only be seen in May. Finally, you will reach the village of Sassalbo again, skirting the wall of Triassic chalk outcrops from which the village derives its name.
Additional information:
Discover the history, nature and traditions of Lunigiana by riding pedal-assisted E-bikes. Combine the sense of freedom that biking can provide with visits to important historical and cultural sites through villages and rural landscapes and then taste typical Lunigiana products in agritourisms, farms, or traditional Tuscan restaurants.
This itinerary begins in the center of the town of Aulla, in the narrow strip of land at the confluence of the Magra River and the Aulella stream, for centuries an ancient symbolic religious site, especially for the passage of the Via Francigena. From Aulla, climb up the hill to the perched village of Bibola, a vantage point and natural balcony of southern Lunigiana, the remains of the castle of which will be visited, towering from afar.
We will descend in the direction of Vecchietto, Pomarino and Pallerone to reach Olivola and then La Quercia where we will enjoy a typical local lunch in the village's central square. Refreshed and rested, we return to Aulla through the Brunella Fortress Park, which overlooks Aulla and its surroundings from above.
Additional information:
An immersive trek through the verdant valleys of the Stretti di Giaredo Protected Natural Area, past bridges and ancient tunnels carved into the rocks of the Stretti di Giaredo.
Equipped with helmets provided by the organisation, we will undertake a route that will be almost entirely on footpaths.
During the trek, we will explore the Gordana Valley Community, walk along the Iron Bridge and admire the protected natural area and a part of the Rocky Gorge during all seasons of the year.
Additional information:
Wonderful e-bike tour to discover the historical and cultural beauty of the Osca Valley in the Tresana area.
This fascinating tour on e-bike, a pedal-assisted bike, takes in the tunnel village of Corneda and the historic centre of Tresana, dominated by the splendid and recently restored Malaspina Castle.
We will discover this part of Lunigiana, dominated for centuries by the Malaspina family of the Spino Secco and crossed by the Osca stream.
Additional information:
The Rossano Valley in Zeri is an area of millenary traditions where life is still marked by the seasons and by agricultural and breeding activities, and where one can still admire and appreciate ancient testimonies of the rural past. The water of the Teglia stream was in fact used to drive the gears of the mills with which different types of flour were ground.
The trek begins at Chiesa di Rossano to take the mule track and path to the valley floor where, at an old bridge, the road along the stream crosses. Further downstream, the first mill is found and along the dirt road at the bottom of the valley, the second and third mills are reached, close to the streams. You can still see the water catchment basins that guaranteed and controlled the flow of water, and following the road you reach the fourth and last mill, which has recently been renovated.
Additional information:
We observe and learn about the biodiversity of the Apennines thanks to this environmental education activity and observation of the ecosystem and habitats in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine National Park and the UNESCO MAB Reserve.
In the forests and meadows of the Apennines, where man has learnt to coexist with nature, we will search for traces of wild animals. We will observe the tiniest insects, but we will also look for signs of birds and large animals, herbivores and predators.
The biowatching activity starts with the observation of a Natural Table: feathers, nests, but also deer and roe deer antlers, pictures and videos. This will be followed by an easy guided hike through forests and summit meadows to look for signs of the presence of wild animals, observing the nature around us from close up and from afar.
Additional information:
Discover the history, nature and traditions of Lunigiana with pedal-assisted bicycles. Combine the sense of freedom that the bicycle can give you with visits to important historical and cultural sites, through forests, rural landscapes and the Apennines, and then taste typical Lunigiana products in agritourisms, farms or traditional Tuscan restaurants.
This itinerary begins at the Centro Didattico Pieve di Sorano at the foot of the Borgo di Filattiera, the gateway to the National Park for Pievi and Vie Storiche. We proceed along the Via Francigena, opposite the Pieve di Sorano, the heart of Lunigiana since the time of the Stele Statues.
Among unique roads and landscapes along the Ciclovia dei Castelli (Castle Cycle Route), we reach the Castle of Malgrate, and then continue on to discover the characteristic medieval villages of Bagnone, Virgoletta and Filetto at the foot of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines National Park and Unesco Mab Reserve.
Additional information:
Accompanied by Legambiente and AlterEco park guides, you will climb one of the most famous peaks of the Apuan Alps, Monte Sagro, which from its 1753 height offers a breathtaking panorama stretching along the entire coastline.
You can enjoy a view that stretches from Pisa to Versilia to the mouth of Magra, to La Spezia and Portovenere and inland to the majestic Apuan peaks of Pizzo d'Uccello and Pisanino and behind them the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines.
After witnessing the magic of the sunset at the summit with its red and golden colours, you will descend illuminated by the moonlight that will make the atmosphere even more magical.
Additional information:
A day of Forest Bathing through an immersive hike on Monte Borla.
Accompanied by the Legambiente and AlterEco Park Guide and the Forest Bathing Guide, you will reach one of the most iconic peaks of the Apuan Alps, Monte Borla. Amidst beech forests and meadows, with an immersive-sensory walk, you will be able to relax by practising meditation, listening to yourself, to others, but above all to nature.
At the end, you will have the opportunity to have a snack at the CAI Carrara Refuge.
Additional information:
Accompanied by AlterEco's guides, you will spend a day immersed in the nature of the Northern Apuan Alps Regional Park, in an area rich in naturalistic emergencies, geological features, botanical rarities and breathtaking views.
Starting from Equi Terme, you will follow the ancient road that once connected the villages of Equi and Ugliancaldo, passing through the woods of this valley. The route takes you to Ugliancaldo, an ancient ridge village on the border between Lunigiana and Garfagnana with a breathtaking view of the north face of Pizzo d'Uccello and the Lucido Valley. A visit to the artisan brewery of the Agriturismo Elicriso awaits you here, and for those interested, a tasting of beers made from barley, spelt, chestnuts and berries accompanied by typical local products. You then descend through age-old chestnut groves and mixed forests to return to Equi, a medieval village perched at the foot of the Apuan Alps.
Additional information:
Accompanied by AlterEco guides, you will spend an afternoon discovering stone villages with breathtaking views and ancient parish churches, immersed in the nature of the Lunigiana Apuana.
You will board the regional train that will take you from Equi Terme to Pieve San Lorenzo, where you will start your e-bike tour. Here you will visit the Pieve di San Lorenzo, a fine example of Romanesque architecture that has retained its interior appearance.
You will then cycle towards Codiponte passing by Casola in Lunigiana and passing through its ancient village. Once in Codiponte, you will stop for a break at the Romanesque parish church and then visit the medieval village with its beautiful 15th-century sandstone portals.
Next, the route will lead you to the fortified village of Monte dei Bianchi with its towers, palaces and the ancient Cenobio dei Frati Bianchi from which you can enjoy an exceptional panorama of the Apuan Alps and the Lucido Valley.
Finally, you return to Equi Terme where you can relax amidst bars, small restaurants, a swimming pool, thermal springs and karstic caves.
Additional information:
