San Marcello Pistoiese and the enchanted forest

Starting from San Marcello Pistoiese, just a few steps below the square, we take the old F.A.P. road, the Ferrovia Alto Pistoiese, a narrow-gauge railway with a reduced distance between the rails compared to standard gauge. The term “narrow gauge” also became part of the local dialect, often referring to reluctant behaviour. The F.A.P. was in operation until 1965, and the train used to reach the starting point of our route.

Returning to the bike route, the road is easy to navigate: wide and well-gravelled, it will take us, crossing only a few sections of asphalt, to the village of Maresca.

From Maresca, we climb towards Casetta Pulledrari, a former ski station and home to great cross-country skiers: the asphalt climb is not challenging but represents the largest elevation gain of the day.

In recent years, during the summer, the area has been upgraded and now offers an MTB rental service with assistance and refreshments.

We continue on a dirt road towards Maceglia – Rifugio del Montanaro, immersed in the fir and beech trees of the Teso Forest. Although the refuge is not directly on the trail, it is worth visiting to enjoy the view from its terrace, where on clear days you can even see the “cupola” of Florence. However, be careful on the climb to Montanaro, as the ascent from Maceglia, though short, is a real climb!

After the stop at Maceglia, where there is a monument dedicated to the massacre during World War II, we continue on the dirt road towards the “Mandromini,” an almost untouched beech forest. We will then merge onto the road to Pratorsi, climbing just a hundred meters of elevation.

Once back on asphalt, we descend towards the Astronomical Observatory of the Pistoia Mountains, an internationally renowned centre and a pride of the entire area.

From here, with a continuous change in vegetation from chestnuts to oaks to robinias, we descend back to San Marcello, paying attention, especially in the summer, to small grassy patches that are not always well-mowed.

Our loop concludes in the square of San Marcello Pistoiese, where you can enjoy an excellent gelato or a nice aperitif at the local bars.

Route by Leonardo Corsini