Blue signpost
The route starts from the Visitor Center and arrives at the moutain hut Isera; from here it descends along the country road and reaches, keeping to the left and beyond the crossroads of the main road, the entrance to a wide path highlighted with the white-red CAI signpost. The route crosses a place known as “i Patatai”, because it was once intensely cultivated with potatoes and rye.
The itinerary then continues downhill to a chestnut forest. At this point you can choose to go down directly to Sulcina, on the right, with the possibility of refreshment, or, on the left, following a wide and ancient pavement, arrive on the paved road near the “Alpeggio di Pruno”. From here the view opens onto the spectacular south-west slope of the Pania di Corfino, outlined by limestone walls and scree in part recolonized by vegetation; the stone architecture of the “caselli”, which are the mountain pasture, integrates harmoniously with the landscape and their rye straw roofs take you back in time. A few meters from the mountain pasture, below the road, there is the entrance to the Bosco di Pruno.
It is mainly made up of turkey oak trees, and extends over 5 hectares between the stream Covezza di Corfino and the pastures of Sulcina. The thematic paths of the Apprentice Craftsman, the Explorer, the Guardians of the Wood, highlight the deep bond that has been established over the centuries between man and the forest. After visiting the wood follow uphill the yellow-blue signs, which in about 30 minutes, alongside the stream and in the shade of the beech trees, reaches the mountain hut Isera for a pleasant stop before returning to the Visitor Center.
Enjoy the mountains
The 10 Essentials for Mountain Safety
The 10 Essentials for Mountain Safety
- Before you leave plan your route (including trail length and difficulty) and inform someone you trust of your trip plan.
- Before you leave inform about the update weather forecast by contacting directly mountain huts or other accommodations
- Select trips of a distances and grades that are suitable to your level of conditioning. Leave early in the morning and calculate your expected time of return before dusk.
- Choose a regular and moderate walking speed, make different rest stops, especially if there are children.
- Drink a lot (water, tea or natural juice). Eat food rich in carbohydrate and protein such as wheat bread, dried fruit, nuts ect..
- Choose the right equipment. The footwear has to allow a steady step and protect the articulations.
- Use a practical and light clothing, but do not forget to carry in your pack waterproof and warm clothing. Consider taking a first aid kit.
- When hiking with a group, take care of them and inform hikers about possible dangers, and if necessary, provide first aid.
- Respect wildlife, avoid useless noise and leave no waste.
- Follow signposted trails. Check your map regularly, and if you are not sure about your position try to get back on route with an eye for landmarks.
Required maps and guides
- Alpi Apuane meridionali fg. 535/537 scala 1:20.000 Ed. Mulgraphic – Firenze
- Alpi Apuane settentrionali fg. 534/536 scala 1:20.000 Ed. Mulgraphic – Firenze
- Appennino Tosco-Emiliano fg. 18 scala 1:20.000 Ed. Mulgraphic – Firenze
- Alpi Apuane fg 200 scala 1:25.000 Edizioni 4Land -Bolzano
- Appennino Tosco-Emiliano fg 208 scala 1:25.000 Edizioni 4Land -Bolzano
For MTB routes:
- Carta turistica Garfagnana – Itinerari in MTB scala 1:50.000 ed. Ass Garfagnana MTB Sharing
Local Hiking Guides
Adami Michela +39 333 7294941 crinidellalpe@gmail.com
Bertagni Attilio +39 333 5846159 bertagniattilio@alice.it
Local Hiking guides associations
Apians
Bosco Aperto
Garfagnana Adventure
Garfagnana Guide
Wild Trails
Garfagnana Rafting
La Garfagnana è un universo contratto, non c’è strada, cammino o sentiero che non porti a una visione inattesa, a qualcosa di inaspettatamente straordinario. Può essere una roccia, un eremo, un bosco, un fiume, un castello, ma può essere anche un uomo. So che ciò che mi chiama in Garfagnana non è semplicemente la sua geografia, ma gli umani che la abitano, come la abitano. La Garfagnana è di una bellezza struggente, una bellezza selvaggia e amorevole; e ciò che mi commuove è come il suo paesaggio sia stato plasmato, lavorato, addolcito anche nelle durezze più ardue da chi lo vive.