routes / In the mountains

Cycling from the Apennines to Pistoia

By train and by bicycle

Pistoia

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routes

In the mountains

Pistoia

length

23.5 km

Difference in altitude

Salita 190 m, discesa 740 m

Means of transport

Bike, e-bike

In treno fino a Pracchia, per raggiungere il cuore dell’Appennino Pistoiese e pedalare tra panoramici e rilassanti scorci naturali.

An itinerary that begins by train, gaining all the elevation that will later be lost during the ride. It covers 20 pleasant kilometres, taking us from the Reno Valley to the Ombrone Valley, the two main rivers of the province, which flow in opposite directions—one towards the Adriatic and the other towards the Tyrrhenian Sea. The route moves from the wooded Apennines to hills covered with olive groves and dotted with small villages, eventually reaching Pistoia, with a pass through the monumental park of Villa Puccini and ending in the historic centre.

Upon arriving at Pracchia station, we start cycling gently uphill along the Reno Valley on a paved road until we reach Pontepetri, a mountain village with a lovely 17th-century church and the old FAP station (Ferrovia Alto Pistoiese), now home to the Museo del Ferro e dell’Energia Rinnovabile, one of the sites of the Ecomuseo della Montagna Pistoiese, part of the Iron Route.

Leaving Pontepetri, we take a forest road that climbs up to the highest point of the route (755 meters above sea level), the watershed between the Reno and Ombrone valleys, offering panoramic views of Pistoia and Montalbano.

From here, we descend steadily to the village of Piteccio, a historic station on the Porrettana Railway and a site of significant events during World War II, including the destruction of the railway bridge, an architectural marvel.

From Piteccio, we continue downhill on a paved road, gradually descending to the romantic park of Scornio, known to all Pistoia locals as Villone Puccini, on the outskirts of the city. The park, a popular spot for those seeking peace and relaxation in nature, still showcases the visionary architectural creations of Niccolò Puccini, an eclectic philanthropist of the 19th century. His works celebrate the greats of thought and science as well as the beauty of nature.

Itinerary curated by Tuscany Hiking

Stages Itinerary

F.A.P- Ferrovia Alto Pistoiese

Pistoia

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.

Museo del Ferro e Giardino dell'Energia Rinnovabile

The Museum of Iron and the Garden of Renewable Energy

Pistoia

stage 2

The Museum of Iron and the Garden of Renewable Energy

The museum was opened to the public in 1999. It contains documents, equipment and tools for iron processing from the old local ironworks. In the garden, you can see two large wooden hydraulic mills, reproduced on a 1:1 scale. Water from the Maresca deviated through a fascinating system of canals and sluices, and is used to operate – under your eyes – a horizontal wheel, of the type used in mills, which moves a stone grinder and a vertical wheel, the latter beating a large hammer, exactly as in the old ironworks. (Via La Piana, 62 - Pontepetri, San Marcello Piteglio)

Porrettana Railway

Pistoia

stage 3

Porrettana Railway

For more than 150 years the Porrettana Railway track has been an integral part of the Pistoia Mountains

Villa Puccini di Scornio

Pistoia

stage 4

Villa Puccini di Scornio

Known as "Villon Puccini," this neoclassical villa was frescoed in the first half of the 18th century by the finest painters of the Florentine court. At its peak, it spanned 123 hectares and boasted one of the largest and most beautiful Italian-style gardens of its time. Today, it remains a green oasis located just a few kilometres from the centre of Pistoia. Within the park, there are facilities for five-a-side football, basketball, volleyball, and a play area for children.