Going further uphill, we reach the crest which borders with the Emilia Romagna Region and then we leave behind us the pass, the Passo di Porta Franca. From here, you can admire the wonderful Apennine views that, depending on which season, can be coloured with intense green, ochre and brown hues, then on to the white of winter. Walking along the crest, we now go downhill towards Poggio dei Malandrini and soon after, you can refresh yourselves at the Rifugio del Montanaro (the Montanaro Lodge).
Altri tappe
Ironworks pathway
This charming nature trail, about 600 m long, starts from the Green Power Garden, then – following the river – reaches the water intake on the Maresca stream. The old artificial canal, running on the side of the route, served the purpose of powering the ironworks at Pontepetri, dating to the 18th century and decommissioned in 1978. This area is also ideal for taking a delightful walk in the midst of nature. You can use its tables, benches and barbecues so that it becomes a perfect place for an outdoor picnic.
Sentiero della Ferriera
Un piacevole percorso naturalistico di circa 600 m parte dal Giardino dell’Energia Rinnovabile e, seguendo il corso del fiume, arriva fino alla presa d’acqua sul torrente Maresca. L’antica gora, che scorre accanto al sentiero, alimentava un tempo la Ferriera di Pontepetri, risalente al XVIII secolo e demolita nel 1978. Il sentiero è facile, sempre aperto e attrezzato con area pic nic.
Ancient Papini Ironworks
The Ironworks of Maresca, active as far back as 1388, is one of the oldest ironworks in Tuscany. It includes original hydraulic and mechanical machinery, as well as an ingenious system to produce compressed air. The blacksmith work is reproduced here through the expert hands of an artisan from the Pistoia Mountains area, who will guide you through iron beating and forging test. (Via Mulin Vecchio, 51028 Maresca - Pistoia)
Castagno di Piteccio
Founded around 1600, the village is essentially an open-air museum. Thanks to the art critic Tommaso Paloscia, who loved spending his holidays here, Castagno inherited an important artistic heritage between 1975 and 2004, transforming it into a village with an open-air museum. This valuable collection continues to grow, with new works being added even beyond the “walls,” marking the beginning of a project to extend the museum into the surrounding landscape. This initiative has created new slow-paced routes that blend art and nature. Today, Castagno boasts as many as 60 works of art. To spot them all, one must take a careful look around.