Trekking in Montagna

The itinerary, using the lift, open even in the Summer, offers the possibility of a beautiful stroll all in elevation arriving to the Croce del Monte Gomito where the view spreads from the Alps to the Sea.

Upon arrival of the ski lift there is the Rifugio Zeno Colò Monte Gomito open even in the Summer months where you can rest on the large panoramic terrace to taste the typical products offered.

From there all the signaled courses depart for the most characteristic excursions: and it is the border of the three Abetone valleys: Valle del Sestaione, Val di Luce and Valle dello Scoltenna.

 Technical data of the route:
- Departure from the Ovovoia ski lift
- Travel time: 1,5-2 hours round trip
- Type of route: Ski lift and signed path.  

Technical data of the route:
- Departure from Piramidi dell'Abetone
- Travel time: 5-6 hours round trip
- Type of route: forest roads and signed paths.  The first part on dirt roads is easily passable even for disabled persons in wheel chairs.
- Landscape characteristics: the itinerary offers the chance to better know the essential elements of high mountain flora and vegetation, the first part is immersed in the woods till you arrive at a prairie of blueberries, on shadowy slopes of Libro Aperto in the month of June you can admire the blooming Rhododendrons.  

Following the signs for the Croce a Veglia the road turns to a dirt road, in the dry season it is passable with any car of medium height and is perfect for climbing on a mountain bike. The entire climb, enclosed by a hundred year old chestnut woods, ports you to the border of Pescia and the territory of Svizzera Pesciatina, Passo Croce a Veglia.

Here the landscape suddenly changes, from woods to green pastures, still today taken care of by the few families remaining who with their flocks of sheep and herds of cattle grazing make the scenery truly similar to that of Switzerland.

From the pass you can go down to the right towards the asphalt road and the Castella della Svizzera Pesciatina, or climb the dirt road that from this point becomes passable only with the suitable car or is perfect for a nice ride on a mountain bike, you pass the shepherds houses, where you can buy cheese and ricotta, and reach the crest where the view spreads from the Luccan plains to the peaks of the Apuan Alps.

From the village of Doganaccia (1547), antique customs of the Granducato di Toscana placed at the border of Ducato di Modena, follow Path 6 MPT up and in 50 minutes we are at Passo della Croce Arcana at 1670m. From the pass take Path 00 CAI/GEA, ref. Manzani, bypassing Monte Spigolino for the lower path, climb to the Calanca pass (1737) and in a short while we reach Lake Scaffaiolo. The return, ever the 00 to the Calanca pass, then the CAI 66 that, passing under the Spigolino, takes us back to Doganaccia.
The itinerary is possible with the two-stop cable car taking you almost to Passo della Croce Arcana.

Travel time about 4 hours (round trip) – difference in elevation 250 mt - difficulty T/E  

A large parking lot welcomes the excursionists wanting to take on the numerous paths that spread out from Lago Santo.
Paths of a medium difficulty for reaching the peaks of Monte Giovo and Monte Rondinaio, passing by the beautiful Lago Santo and Lago Baccio.
Monte Giovo with its 1991 meters is one of the most beautiful summits to visit, from which you can see from Monte Cusna to Corno alle Scale and many of the most important Apuan peaks; on clear days you can catch a glimpse of Cap Corse and la Gorgona and, towards the alpine arch you can see the Adamello group.

The paths are all signed and maps are available at our Hotel. 

This beautiful excursion passes the entire Strada del Duca o della Duchessa uniting the Valle delle Pozze (the current day  Val di Luce), Mondenese slopes, with the Val Fegana, Luccan slopes, the road is a completely dirt road in the Emilian slopes and a good part of the Luccan slopes passing from Foce a Giovo (m. 1674), from there a short path on the right takes you to the beautiful Lago Turchino, while on the left climbs up to Passo d'Annibale where the view opens up to the Val di Luce.

It is a beautiful 4-5 walk among beautiful beech and fir woods and blueberry prairies.

Just before Foce a Giovo there is a refuge partly open and having a fireplace in which to start a fire. 

Following the signs for Croce a Veglia the road turns into a dirt road, in the dry season it is passable with almost any medium height car and is a perfect for a climb on a mountain bike. The whole path  a climb up into a hundred old chestnut wood, takes you to the border of Pescia and the territory of Svizzera Pesciatina, Passo Croce a Veglia.

Here the landscape suddenly changes, from woods to green pastures, still today taken care of by the few families remaining who with their flocks of sheep and herds of cattle grazing make the scenery truly similar to that of Switzerland.