Your itinerary
Day 1
Adventure start at Braccicorti
This tour starts at Agriturismo Braccicorti, approximately 4mi (6km) from Castelnuovo di Garfagnana and two hours from Pisa Airport. Refresh with a dip in the pool or take a short walk to discover the grounds surrounding the property.Around 6pm, say ciao to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader then ensures a big welcome over our first group dinner.If you want to extend your adventure, consider booking additional nights in Pisa or Florence where there is so much to see. Speak to your sales representative for more information.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2
Hike Orecchiella National Park and summit Pania di Corfino (Activity Level 3)
A short drive from Braccicorti is the small village of Pruno, several thatched cottages once used as a stop for ‘salt travellers’ bringing salt from the Versilia coast to Moderna on foot.This is the start of our walk into Orecchiella National Park and our ascent under a canopy of beech trees. Following an ancient shepherds’ route, we arrive at our first proper view of the valley, before a short ascent out of the trees and onto the summit of Pania di Corfino for 360-degree views.After a picnic lunch, we descend to the 16th-century village of Campaiana and follow a route of two secret lovers along Fonte dell’Amore. Here, we may see golden eagles before re-entering the beech forest back to our start point.Walking distance: 7.5mi (12km); ascent: 2,700ft (825m); descent: 2,700ft (825m)
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Day 3
Hike Monte Sumbra, Tuscany’s Half Dome (Activity Level 3)
We park near the small ski resort of Vianova and stride along a wide forest track shaded by beech trees towards the beginning of a small footpath that ascends to the limestone plateau of Monte Sumbra. On the way, we pass limestone karst and soon arrive at our first viewpoint.From here, it’s a 10-minute walk to the limestone plateau with magnificent views of the ‘Half Dome’ of Monte Sumbra and a 360-degree view, comprising the Garfagnana, Apennine range, Apuan Alps and the coastline.The option of continuing to the summit is given here; those who wish to continue will cross the rocky plateau and follow a small path across the slopes before ascending a couple of steeper sections to the grassy mound of Monte Sumbra.After a picnic lunch, those at the summit retrace their steps to join the rest of the group before descending to the ‘charcoal trail’, a route bordered by beech trees once used for fuel.Arriving back at the bus, we jump in for the journey back to Braccicorti.Walking distance: 8mi (13km); ascent: 2,495ft (760m); descent: 2,495ft (760m)
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch
Day 4
The medieval town of Castiglione and Castelnuovo di Garfagnana (Activity Level 3)
Walking from the accommodation, we can enjoy the local agricultural area while meandering through quaint villages and learning about the area’s history. The medieval town of Castiglione is a must-visit, its history seen in the buildings and cobbled streets.A mixture of lanes, tracks, footpaths and meadows takes us to Pieve Fosciana, a locally important town as many baptisms were held here. After lunch, we continue to the heart of the Garfagnana: Castelnuovo. On arrival, we should have time to explore before taking a short train ride to Villetta san Romano and walking the easy 20-minute route back to Braccicorti.Walking distance: 8.5mi (14km); ascent: 1,360ft (415m); descent: 1,360ft (415m)
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Day 5
Free day to visit Lucca, the Cinque Terre, Florence or Pisa
There are many options today and, with a little planning help from your tour leader, you can relax and enjoy your chosen adventure.A short train ride can take you to the fortified city of Lucca, where there are plenty of activities to fill a day’s visit or enjoy a half day and combine it with a short visit to Pisa.A longer journey by taxi and train takes you to either the World Heritage site of the Cinque Terre to enjoy a leisurely lunch of fresh fish and white wine while overlooking the Ligurian coast or the city of Florence to see Michaelangelo’s David.If you wish to stay closer to home, you are welcome to grab a book and relax by the pool at Braccicorti, take a self-guided walk through the area, rent a bicycle or hire a local guide to show you around the historic sites.Your tour leader will help you make arrangements once you are on the trip and make recommendations for places to eat lunch and dinner.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6
The village of Fornovolasco and the rock arch of Monte Forato (Activity Level 3)
Approaching Fornovolasco via a beautiful gorge, we park in the village and start the hike along a well-maintained footpath alongside the river. We soon begin to ascend under chestnut and beech trees and see the remnants of the ancient chestnut mill and chestnut-drying houses. After arriving at a col, we follow a good path, as it contours past unusual rock formations and brings us to a refuge in its early stages of renovation. We slowly ascend from the refuge, reaching the impressive rock arch of Monte Forato within 40 minutes.After our packed lunch, we walk a well-trodden path across a beautiful meadow often blanketed with a variety of flora and with views of the Apennine mountains on the opposite valley. We leave the craggy peaks of Pania Secca as we descend through the beech and chestnut trees to bring us back to Fornovolasco and our drive back to Braccicorti.Walking distance: 7mi (11km); ascent: 2,755ft (840m); descent: 2,755ft (840m)
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Day 7
Monte Prado, the rooftop of Tuscany (Activity Level 3)
Gaining height on the drive, we start our walk from 4,304ft (1,312m) above sea level, with an easy incline under beech trees and along a wide forest track that winds up to our ridge approach. Blanketed with mirtilli berries and juniper, the Tuscan Apennines are home to marmots, foxes, pine martens and mountain hare. We may see a bird of prey on the hunt, kestrels, buzzards and golden eagles frequent the area, while muflone, red and roe deer, wild boar and wolves cross between Tuscany and Emilia Romagna.Every small ascent is rewarded with a path that contours along the north side of the ridge and is easy underfoot, providing some respite and a chance to reflect on the week’s activities as we approach Monte Prado.On a good day, the summit provides uninterrupted views to the north that stretch as far as the French Alps and to the south beyond Pisa. After lunch, we retrace our steps along the ridge approximately three-quarters of the way before taking a descent past a small shepherd’s hut and re-entering the beech forest, arriving back at our start point. If time allows, there is an opportunity to enjoy an end-of-week drink at the hotel before the drive back to Braccicorti.Walking distance: 10mi (16km); ascent: 2,740ft (835m); descent: 2,740ft (835m)
Meals: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Day 8
Adventure ends at Braccicorti
You’ve walked some of the most scenic trails in Tuscany; but now, with the help of your tour leader to make any personal arrangements, you depart Braccicorti after breakfast.Alternatively, speak to your sales representative to extend your adventure and spend time exploring the Renaissance flair of Florence.
Meals: Breakfast
What’s included
What’s not included
Additional information
Food
All breakfasts, five lunches and five dinners are included.
Breakfast: Continental with a choice of cereal, local bread, yoghurt, cheese, fruit, homemade spreads, fresh eggs, milk, fruit juice, teas and coffee.
Lunches: Packed lunches are provided on hiking days with a buffet-style selection of meat, fish, cheese, salad and bread for sandwiches, plus a daily salad mix such as chickpea or rice salad, panzanella or a bean mix, plus fruit and cake.
Dinners: These are usually three courses. The first course is a traditional soup or pasta with local bread and olive oil. The main course is a local meat or fish dish with vegetables and salad and wine offered by the Braccicorti family. The meal is finished with a small homemade dessert such as pannacotta or fruit salad or local ice cream and, on occasions, finished with a grappa or amaretto.
Dietary requirements are fairly well catered for in this area. Braccicorti do not offer a menu; therefore, it is important to notify us in advance of any dietary needs so the Giovanetti family can plan your meals accordingly. If you follow a more specific diet, such as gluten-free or lactose-free, it is advisable to bring your own snacks as these are hard to find locally. Gluten-free bread and pasta is readily available in the local area and will be provided as long as the family have notice prior to travel.
Orecchiella National Park & Pania di Corfino Summit Hike
Set out on a mountain trail through cool beech forest into the wild beauty of Orecchiella National Park. Following time-worn shepherds’ paths, emerge onto open slopes and push to the summit Pania di Corfino, where airy ridgelines and limestone crags frame the Apennines and Apuan Alps.
Pause for a picnic with 360-degree views and scan the skies for golden eagles. Descend via Campaiana, a hamlet of stone barns and meadows, and pass the Fonte dell’Amore, where local lore speaks of secret lovers and clear spring water.
Monte Sumbra Limestone Plateau & Summit Hike
Follow a forest track to the airy limestone plateau beneath Monte Sumbra, nicknamed Tuscany’s “Half Dome.” Traverse etched karst formations and vantage points revealing the Garfagnana valley, Apennines, and the serrated Apuan Alps, a landscape once quarried for prized marble.
Choose an optional, steeper final push to the grassy summit for a vast panorama. Return along a historic “charcoal trail,” recalling the region’s woodland industries and the centuries-old bond between mountain communities and their forests.
Castiglione & Castelnuovo di Garfagnana Heritage Walk
Walk rustic lanes and meadow paths between farmsteads to medieval Castiglione di Garfagnana, where cobbled streets and stone ramparts guard sweeping views. The route threads through chestnut groves and past chapels that anchor village life to the seasonal rhythm of the hills.
Continue to Pieve Fosciana, whose parish long served surrounding hamlets, then explore Castelnuovo di Garfagnana. Seek out the Rocca Ariostesca and lively piazzas, a reminder that this rugged valley has always been a crossroads of trade, worship, and storytelling.
Fornovolasco Gorge & Monte Forato Natural Arch Trek
Begin in Fornovolasco, a village tucked into a dramatic gorge, and climb shaded paths through beech and chestnut woods. Trace the remnants of mills and metati (drying houses) that once transformed chestnuts into the flour sustaining mountain families.
Reach Monte Forato and its extraordinary natural rock arch, a wind-sculpted window framing the Apuan skyline. Cross flower-strewn meadows with views toward Pania Secca before descending, the scent of woodland and cool river air accompanying each step.
Monte Prado Ridgeline Trek – Roof of Tuscany
Gain the heights of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines and follow a rolling ridge to Monte Prado, the rooftop of Tuscany. Paths thread through juniper and mirtilli heath, where kestrels hover and the chance of spotting deer or foxes adds quiet thrill to the climb.
From the summit, take in far-reaching views—on the clearest days, horizons stretch north toward distant Alpine ranges and south beyond Pisa. Return along the ridge past a shepherd’s hut, a timeless Alpine scene above the beech line.
Lucca Walled City Stroll & Guinigi Tower
Explore the Renaissance walls of Lucca, a tree-lined promenade perfect for a relaxed circuit on foot or by rented bike. Wander into the historic centre to climb the Guinigi Tower, crowned with oaks, and pause in the oval Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, layered over a Roman arena.
Church facades shimmer with Pisan-Romanesque marble, and artisan shops tempt with candied chestnuts and biscotti. This is an Optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour with your leader’s assistance.
Pisa’s Piazza dei Miracoli & Leaning Tower View
Visit UNESCO-listed Piazza dei Miracoli, where the Leaning Tower of Pisa tilts beside the gleaming Romanesque Cathedral and Baptistery. Photograph striped marble, carved portals, and lawns that set off one of Italy’s most iconic ensembles.
Beyond the square, amble along the Arno’s palazzi and student-filled streets for a taste of everyday Tuscan life. This is an Optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour; Tower entry is subject to availability and timing.
Florence Highlights at Leisure
Immerse in the historic centre of Florence: marvel at the Duomo and Baptistery with Ghiberti-inspired bronze doors, linger on the Ponte Vecchio, and trace Medici footsteps around Piazza della Signoria and the Uffizi courtyard.
Art lovers may arrange timed museum entries—such as the Accademia to admire Michelangelo’s David—subject to availability. This is an Optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour; your leader can advise on timings and ticket options.
Cinque Terre Coastal Villages Excursion
Seek sea breezes among the terraced cliffs of the Cinque Terre, where cliff-hugging villages descend to harbours the colour of the Ligurian Sea. Stroll waterfront promenades, browse tiny lanes, or follow gentle sections of coastal path between painted facades and vine-draped hillsides.
Pause for focaccia, anchovies, and a glass of crisp white from nearby terraces, with fishing boats bobbing below. This is an Optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour; routes and timings vary by season and sea conditions.
Welcome Meeting & Tuscan Home-Style Dinner at Agriturismo Braccicorti
Arrive and meet your Tour Director and travelling companions at the welcoming Agriturismo Braccicorti. Take a relaxed orientation stroll through orchards and gardens, pausing for views across the Serchio Valley to the Apuan Alps. Your base feels wonderfully secluded, with stone walls, a pool, and quiet corners perfect for unwinding between hikes.
Sit down to a Tuscan home-style dinner prepared with local, seasonal produce. Over shared plates and regional wine, hear how Garfagnana cuisine reflects mountain life—hearty soups, chestnut traditions, and farmhouse hospitality set the tone for an authentic week in northern Tuscany.
