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On the Tracks of history

Exploring the Pistoia Mountains

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routes

In the mountains

length

34,8 km

Difference in altitude

780 m

Means of transport

Gravel, e-bike

A medium-difficulty route along the original track of the former Alto Pistoiese Railway, an old disused railway line, now perfect for cycling.

This cycling itinerary follows the ancient route of the Alto Pistoiese Railway, which operated from 1926 to 1956, once connecting the Pistoia Mountains to the Porrettana Railway. The route is of medium difficulty, featuring a steady but never too demanding elevation gain—perfect for those who love to explore nature without tackling extreme climbs.

Our journey begins with a comfortable train ride to Pracchia, where we hop on our bikes and start pedalling. The first stop is Campo Tizzoro, reached by following a section of the Reno Valley, an area once famous for its natural ice production until the post-war period. Here, a visit to the S.M.I. Museum and shelters offers insight into the industrial and military history of the region, featuring a well-preserved air-raid shelter and exhibits from the local munitions factory.

Continuing, the route leads into a dense beech and conifer forest, home to local wildlife. With a bit of luck, we may spot traces of deer, wolves, and foxes, while buzzards soar overhead. The climb takes us to Maresca, once a proto-industrial centre for ironworking. In the village square, we can admire an old railway station and a restored train carriage from the historic Alto Pistoiese Railway, a symbol of the once-famous “red train” that used to serve these lands.

After crossing the bridge over the Maresca stream, we face the steepest section of the route, leading us to the highest point of our ride: Alpe Piana Pass (870 meters above sea level). From here, breathtaking views unfold over the Apennine peaks, including Monte Gomito, Alpe Tre Potenze, and Penna di Lucchio. After the effort of the climb, a gentle descent takes us to the neoclassical station of Gavinana, a village rich in history. This area is linked to the Battle of Pistoia, where the famous Roman conspirator Catiline met his fate. Local farmers once reported finding helmets, shields, and Roman coins while ploughing their fields.

For those with extra energy, it’s well worth climbing up to the medieval village of Gavinana to visit its central square, the 11th-century parish church, and an ancient spring-fed fountain. Continuing on paved roads, we reach San Marcello Pistoiese, the heart of the Pistoia Apennines. From here, riders can extend the journey to the famous Suspension Bridge of Mammiano.

Our return journey begins from San Marcello, passing its old railway station before following the path back to Alpe Piana and then descending smoothly to Pracchia, where our adventure on the tracks of history comes to an end.

Itinerary curated by Castanea – Tuscany Hiking

Stages Itinerary

F.A.P- Ferrovia Alto Pistoiese

stage 1

F.A.P- Ferrovia Alto Pistoiese

Called the Ferrovia Alto Pistoiese (F.A.P.), "Alto Pistoiese Railway", after the name of the concessionary and operating company, this narrow-gauge railway line was also known as the Pracchia – San Marcello Pistoiese – Mammiano railway. It was in operation between 1926 and 1965. Today, hikers and bikers use the route.

S.M.I. Museums and Shelters

San Marcello Piteglio

stage 2

S.M.I. Museums and Shelters

The S.M.I. - Italian Metallurgic Industry - museum and shelters is an excellent example of industrial archeology, unique in Europe due to the size of this vast underground shelter and totally safe from air raids. It is to be found at Campo Tizzoro in the Municipality of San Marcello Piteglio in the Pistoia Mountains. Its history is inextricably bound to that of S.M.I.'s industrial factories, leaders in cartridge production in periods of war, and first installed here in 1911. The Museum tells the story of a hundred years of Italian industrial history.

Maresca

stage 3

Maresca

Maresca is a hamlet in the municipality of San Marcello Piteglio on the Pistoia Mountains, located along the namesake stream, a tributary of the Reno River. In 1950, a meeting was held in Maresca between representatives of various sections of the Italian CAI (Italian Alpine Club), where it was decided to adopt the white and red trail markers at the national level, which still mark trails throughout Italy today.

Gavinana

San Marcello Piteglio

stage 4

Gavinana

Gavinana is a delightful medieval hamlet, a district of the town of San Marcello Piteglio. We first arrive in the town square with the equestrian statue of Francesco Ferrucci in its centre, made to commemorate the historical battle of 1530. The wonderful church of Pieve di Santa Maria Assunta, is well worth a visit: it is a 11th-century Romanesque building with an extremely precious organ inside. This historic organ is one of the largest in Italy with its 2.063 pipes! At Gavinana you can also visit the Museo naturalistico archeologico dell’Appennino Pistoiese which reconstructs the history of man in these areas and has, on exhibition, many prehistoric findings of the North-Western Apennines, among which a skeleton of a bear going back to cavemen times.

San Marcello Piteglio

stage 5

San Marcello Piteglio

With abundant historical evidence from the 14th century on, San Marcello Pistoiese stands on a woods-covered hill. Other particularly interesting, nearby communities are the ancient villages of Maresca, located on the edge of the Teso State Forest, and Gavinana, home to the Francesco Ferrucci Museum and the Ecomuseum Information Point in the ancient Palazzo Achilli. The village of Piteglio dominates the Val di Lima, where the important and ancient trans-Apennine road linking Pistoia to the Garfagnana ran. In the 11th -12th century, it was a fortified castle, an observation point under Pistoiese control. An easy distance from Piteglio are the hamlets of Macchia Antonini, Crespole, Lanciole, Calamecca and Migliorini.

Ferriere Suspension Bridge

San Marcello Piteglio

stage 6

Ferriere Suspension Bridge

The Ferriere Suspension Bridge, built in 1923, is made up of a pedestrian gangway with four steel cables, 227 metres long and 36 metres high. This hanging bridge joins the two sides of the Lima River and, in the past, Popiglio's labourers who worked in the metallurgic factories on the opposite side of the mountains saved themselves the trouble of travelling six kilometres every day by crossing over it. Nowadays you can cross the bridge from one side to the other and can enjoy a truly breathtaking panorama!