Walks
Three ancient roads to discover history
Walks
Three ancient roads to discover history
hree fascinating walks allow visitors to discover Garfagnana’s history and ancient roads. The “Way of the Volto Santo” (Holy Visage) winds through the forests, starting from the Pass of the Tea, and follows in the footsteps of pilgrims headed to the Holy Visage, the famous wooden crucifix that can be admired in the Cathedral of Lucca. This route overlaps with the last part of the “Matildic Way”, an itinerary that winds through the territories of Matilda of Canossa.
Along the Gothic Line route visitors find themselves surrounded by bunkers, tunnels and trenches camouflaged in the landscape, as they explore the traces of World War II. Important photographs, maps and documents regarding the war are preserved in the Garfagnana Gothic Line Museum in Molazzana.
The Vandelli Road is an 18th-century ducal road commissioned by Francesco III d’Este for his son’s marriage: it winds its way up through the Apennines and the Apuane Mountains, from San Pellegrino in Alpe to the Tambura Pass situated at 1,620 m.
Lenght: 87.5 KM
Difficulty: Moderate
Via del Volto Santo
The itinerary through the mountains and forests towards Lucca
1 The destination of the journey is the Volto Santo, a statue carved in walnut wood and over 2 meters high, enclosed in a small temple of Carrara marble in the Cathedral of Lucca
2It starts from Argegna, crossing Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, Barga, Borgo a Mozzano and arrives in Lucca
Lenght: 87.5 KM
Difficulty: Moderate
Via del Volto Santo
The itinerary through the mountains and forests towards Lucca
1 The destination of the journey is the Volto Santo, a statue carved in walnut wood and over 2 meters high, enclosed in a small temple of Carrara marble in the Cathedral of Lucca
2It starts from Argegna, crossing Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, Barga, Borgo a Mozzano and arrives in Lucca
Lenght: 105 KM
Difficulty: Moderate
Via Matildica del Volto Santo
From the lands of Canossa to Garfagnana
1 The Via Matildica and that of the Volto Santo are two paths that share the same destination: the Cathedral of San Martino in Lucca, home to the wooden statue of the Volto Santo. In Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, the two paths intersect, becoming a single path
Lenght: 105 KM
Difficulty: Moderate
Via Matildica del Volto Santo
From the lands of Canossa to Garfagnana
1 The Via Matildica and that of the Volto Santo are two paths that share the same destination: the Cathedral of San Martino in Lucca, home to the wooden statue of the Volto Santo. In Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, the two paths intersect, becoming a single path
Lenght: 44,6 KM
Difficulty: Moderate
Via Vandelli
The mountain path desired by the Grand Duke
1 An ancient commercial road, Via Vandelli, through the rugged peaks and the valleys that characterize the Apuan Alps. It can be traveled with an exciting trek that crosses the Tuscan territories of Garfagnana and Media Valle del Serchio
2 It starts from San Pellegrino in Alpe passing through the Tambura Pass
Lenght: 44,6 KM
Difficulty: Moderate
Via Vandelli
The mountain path desired by the Grand Duke
1 An ancient commercial road, Via Vandelli, through the rugged peaks and the valleys that characterize the Apuan Alps. It can be traveled with an exciting trek that crosses the Tuscan territories of Garfagnana and Media Valle del Serchio
2 It starts from San Pellegrino in Alpe passing through the Tambura Pass
Lenght: 81 km KM
Difficulty: Moderate
Gothic Line
The route through the trenches of the Second World War
1 An excursion through woods and mountains, along dirt roads on the trail of bunkers and trenches built by the German militias
2 Starting from Stazzema, passing through Pascoso, Tocigliano, Borgo a Mozzano, Barga, stopping at the Santi refuge and then setting off again for the last 10 km or so, the most challenging, which lead to the Casentini refuge at Mercatello
Lenght: 81 km KM
Difficulty: Moderate
Gothic Line
The route through the trenches of the Second World War
1 An excursion through woods and mountains, along dirt roads on the trail of bunkers and trenches built by the German militias
2 Starting from Stazzema, passing through Pascoso, Tocigliano, Borgo a Mozzano, Barga, stopping at the Santi refuge and then setting off again for the last 10 km or so, the most challenging, which lead to the Casentini refuge at Mercatello
