Guided walking and biking tours in Garfagnana and Lucca

All hiking and biking lovers will be able to book directly from Pruneta  di Sopra villa or from this web site some themed and guided tours  on the interesting mountain trails of Garfagnana and on other country paths in Lucca province. Guests will have the opportunity to discover Lucca countryside, the magnificent villas of Lucca plain or the places where the great master Giacomo Puccini lived and composed his famous operas. It’s also possible to arrange customized itineraries which will be designed on the specific interests and training levels of customers. All tours will be managed by environmental guides, professional  people who  will accompany the tourists or the groups to visit Lucca territory, illustrating the most significant natural and cultural informations and ensuring the excursion safety. Here are some exemples of “echo-friendly” trips :

“Ascent to Monte Forato, in Garfagnana”

 This walking trail starts from the village of Fornovolasco (in Garfagnana)  and it brings the visitors to the spectacular “Monte Forato“, a mountain characterized by a large natural arch (one of the biggest in Italy) which is the result of the slow limestone erosion . The use of hiking boots, raincoats or other type of jackets is highly recommended . For this excursion it’s also recommended a good physical training. The collective price for a group up to a maximum of 9 people is  euro 200 (full day hike). Each participant will also need a backpack with at least one liter of water and some food for lunch (not included in the excursion price).Meeting point to be decided with the guide.

“In Garfagnana woods by night” (day light walk is available too)

The 3 hours night walk on one of the local paths (called sentiero del Moro) starts from the village of Sillico, in Garfagnana; this is a trail with a unique taste: from the church square of Sillico, the visitors will reach the near villages through chestnut woods and forests. The rate for groups up to 9 people is euro 150, including headlamps. Recommended equipment: suitable clothing for the season, rain jacket , umbrella in case of uncertain weather, suitable shoes (like sneakers or hiking shoes), half a liter of water, some biscuits or light snacks. Tour Details: after a brief visit to the village of Sillico, you will be immersed in a sort of fairytale. As visitors move away from the village, stars will take the place of the artificial lights and sounds and scents of the chestnut woods will awake the senses of the hikers in the dark of night. The guide will bring the visitors to visit a “metato“, a traditional stone structure of Garfagnana  used to dry chestnuts. Meeting point: in front of the church of Sillico village. This walk is available also during the day.

“Biking in the land of Giacomo Puccini”

It’s a nice and easy bike ride starting from Lucca and going, through Lucca and Pisa countryside, to Massaciuccoli lake where the great master Giacomo Puccini lived and composed his famous operas. This bike trip is on country paths and roads with no appreciable differences in height;  the overall length is about 50 Km (31 miles) to cover with calm and with several stops. The collective fee for a group up to 9 people is euro 200.00 (full day ride) . To this, you  have to add the cost of the bike rental  from a local hirer (about euro 20 per person per one entire day). For very small groups (up to 3 people) price is euro 60 per each participant. We recommend hikers to wear sports clothing and sneakers. It is also recommended to have a liter bottle of water and light snacks or biscuits to restore sugar balance. Lunch is not included in the price.

“Hill landscapes and historical villas of Lucca countryside”

 It ‘s an interesting 4 hours walk from the majestic Torrigiani historical villa in Camigliano (near Lucca) through olive groves and vineyards, characterized by nice views on Lucca plain. The collective fee for a group up to 9 people is  euro 120   (price for only 2 partecipants:  euro 40 per person  ). Visitors can also visit Torrigiani historical villa and its garden in total autonomy (ticket not included in the price of the guided walk). The use of running shoes and sports apparel is highly recommended. We also recommend that participants bring with them  a bottle of water and some cookies or light snacks. The meeting point is at the entrance of Torrigiani villa in Camigliano .

“Cycling through Lucca countryside “

This 3 hours bike tour starts from the city of Lucca and  it brings visitors to discover secrets of the surrounding countryside. Visitors will have the possibility to move trough beautiful rural landscape and to discover the evidences of  the age-old relationship between man and the land. The bike trip can be completed with a tour of the ancient Lucca town walls with the indication of the main monuments of the town. Recommended equipment:  sneackers and sports clothing suitable to the season,  half a liter of water, biscuits or light snacks . Collective price for groups up to 9 persons: euro 120 (bike rental price is not included in the tour rate). Meeting place: porta Santa Maria, in Lucca.