La Garfagnana

Garfagnana is in the province of Lucca found in the north-east corner of Tuscany, occupying the deep Valley of the Serchio river and separates the Apuan Alps of the Tucscan-Emilian Apennine. 

The history, the traditions and its vast perimeter include untouched territories, make the Garafagnana a downright paradise for excursionists. Situated in the middle of the deep Valle del Serchio, surrounded by the Apuan Alps and the Appennines.

In the photo the charming "Ponte del Diavolo" or "Ponte della Maddalena", can be seen along the Valle del Serchio and is easily seen along the Statale dell'Abetone road which leads to Cutigliano

At just 1 hour by car from the Hotel in the heart of Garfagnana is the Grotta del Vento. The Grotta del Vento can be visited every day with guided trip where all the evidence of the caves evolution, from the smallest fissures that are the beginning of deep vertical abysses, to the remains recently etched by the water to the antique tunnels, all decorated by splendid polychromatic stalagmites, slender translucent draperies, spotless flows and spires of stalagmites. The concretions are all alive, that is growing, always running along a stream of water which revives colors and brings out the beauty. Along the same road, before arriving at the cave the Eremo di Calomini can be seen under a large rocky slope. The church of the hermitage was built close to the face of the mountain, better more than half, with the sacristy and almost the whole convent, remains inside an excavation dug out from the mountain. Completely open for visits, it has in its interior a refreshment bar with a small shop with typical local products

Just half an hour away from the Hotel by car, passing Bagni di Lucca is the access to the Orrido di Botri
The Orrido di Botri is a limestone gorge dug with the passing of time by the running of the waters of the Mariana and Ribellino torrents, which come together for the Rio Pelago.
During the summer, when the water level is lower and the temperature is a little milder, it is possible to clime to the final stretch, from Ponte a Gaio to the Pozzo del Diavolo.
The visits to the ravine interior, where an authorized guide is authorized, it unwinds along two itineraries of different difficulty levels, viable only during the summer.
The guided tours depart from Ponte a Gaio, the only access to the ravine, the site of the welcome center and rest area, where, besides the purchase of publications, guides to the oasis and typical products, it is possible to taste rich traditional plates of the local cuisine.
Along that same road you can see indications for Monte Prato Fiorito – the beginning of the path that climbs to the peak is marked by a huge crucifix and Prato Fiorito in the background.
The path climbs clambering up along the slopes of Prato Fiorito (1297 meters above sea level), a mountain completely lacking in vegetation that in the Springtime offers the best of itself with its completely flowered-covered fields. From the mountain peaks you can enjoy a beautiful view which spreads from the Emilian-Tuscan Apennine. The path is suitable to everyone, in the Spring a camera is recommended in order to capture the innumerable colors of nature.