hill-walking
on our doorstep
The alps nearest to Tereglio are monte Giovo, 1992m, and Rondinaio, 1960m, both excellent destinations for a day's hike only a short drive away. Giovo is shaped a bit like a front tooth, with two steep faces, but the top 'edge' curves down in each of the other two directions, making it an extremely accessible mountain.
The views from Monte Giovo are simply stunning in both directions. Because the 'edge' of the mountain is narrow you can enjoy two opposing panoramas from almost any point on the walk. Yet the path is nowhere so narrow as to create an excessive sense of exposure. The panorama to the southwest carries across over the Ania valley and the wider valley of the Serchio beyond all the way to the Apuane alps with their spectacularly varied textures and forms. To the northeast, there are more of the Appenines, and in the valley between is Lago Santo, a substantial lake at an altitude of some 1500m.
We have also mentioned elsewhere, the hikes in and around the Orrido di Botri.
across the Serchio valley
A short drive away, just across the valley, are the Apuane alps. These offer a great variety of attractions, including
- Monte Forato As its name implies (think of 'perforated'), this is a mountain with a huge hole in it. It is a natural rock arch eroded by wind and rain, 26m high and 32m wide (85ft high and 105ft wide) large enough that you can see through it from many places on our side of the valley.
- Grotto del Vento The deepest cave open to the public in Europe.
- The Apuane Alps Natural Park which extends from Tuscany to Liguria. The varied peaks are the source of the whitest statue marble used by the great Michelangelo. The Apuane Alps are perfect terrain for excursions, mountain-climbing, mountain biking, canyoning, and various other activities. There are trails suitabe to every kind of visitor. Some of these set out from sea level to reach the mountain peaks, others loop from refuge to refuge, yet others allow crossing from the Serchio valley to the coast by way of some of the most impressive peaks. There are routes for all abilities from gentle exercise walks to very difficult mountain climbs.
