Between San Marcello and Piteglio: a classic route in the Pistoia Mountains

A medium-difficulty road itinerary, perfect for discovering the villages of Piteglio and Gavinana, designed for those who love cycling through mountain landscapes and uncovering local history.

This road route, highly appreciated by local cyclists, offers a slightly extended version of the classic Pistoia Mountains itinerary.

The journey begins in San Marcello Pistoiese, heading initially toward La Lima. After about 2 km, turn left following the signs for Prunetta, where the famous Prunetta climb begins. However, the route deviates before completing the ascent, turning at the village of Migliorini toward Piteglio. In this picturesque village, you’ll find the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, home to the precious relic of the Sacred Milk of the Virgin.

After a brief descent, the most challenging climb of the day awaits: the ascent to Casa di Monte, 6.8 km long with gradients exceeding 10%. At the top, turn left toward Macchia Antonini, a clearing surrounded by greenery. Along the way, you’ll find a restaurant, an excellent spot for a break or shelter from the summer heat.

Continuing downhill, you’ll reach the Margine di Momigno fountain, a perfect place to pause and refill your water bottles. From here, a gentle slope through the forest leads to Prunetta, passing by the Spider Park adventure area. Be cautious of the interplay of light and shadow on the path, which can make some curves tricky.

In Prunetta, turn right toward Le Piastre, considered the gateway to the Pistoia Mountains. Here, join the SS 66 road, which can be busy during peak hours, requiring extra care.

At the Passo dell’Oppio, turn right toward Gavinana. This village is a must-visit, offering sights such as the statue of Francesco Ferrucci, a renowned Florentine commander, and the Ferrucci Museum. Be sure to explore Palazzo Achilli, home to the Naturalistic-Archaeological Museum of the Pistoia Apennines (MuNAP) and an information point for the Ecomuseum of the Pistoia Mountains.

From Gavinana, the final stretch of the itinerary leads back to San Marcello Pistoiese, the largest town in the mountain area.

Itinerary curated by Leonardo Corsini

Photo credit: Comune di San Marcello Piteglio

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San Marcello Piteglio

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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.
Palazzo Achilli – Ecomuseo info point

San Marcello Piteglio

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Palazzo Achilli – Ecomuseo info point

Palazzo Achilli is the central information point of the Ecomuseo della Montagna Pistoiese. It is now the seat of temporary exhibitions aimed at carefully studying various subjects linked to the history of the Mountains and which regularly organizes educative laboratories for both adults and children.

Palazzo Achilli also hosts: the sound archive of the Pistoia Mountains’ oral traditions, a meticulous work of research that has brought back to life hundreds of songs, folk songs and nursery rhymes, registered on speakers by locals. In 2013, The ‘Centro Mario Olla’, in 2013 made available documents and testimonies of cases of emigration from the Pistoia Mountains during the 19th and 20th centuries.
SpiderPark Adventure Park

Marliana

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SpiderPark Adventure Park

Seven routes at varying heights so as to be suitable for all ages, always in total safety, in the Municipality of Marliana in the Pistoia Mountains.
Naturalistic Archeological Museum of the Pistoia Apennines (MuNAP)

San Marcello Piteglio

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Naturalistic Archeological Museum of the Pistoia Apennines (MuNAP)

A journey through the past by means of numerous finds which illustrate the natural history of the area. The museum offers you the opportunity of discovering prehistoric tools, minerals, rocks, birds, insects, and mammals, one of which, the Apennine Wolf, will surely catch your attention. The collection of flora fossils coming from the Pisa Mountains, dating back to the Upper Carboniferous era – in other words, more than 300 million years ago – is of special interest and is also one of the most important in Italy; as is the skelton of a cave bear (Ursus spelaeus). Of considerable importance is also the collection of stone tools dating back to the end of the Upper Paleolithic era (12.000 – 10.000 years ago) which act as proof of the first presence of man in the Pistoia Apennines. (Via Orange, Gavinana, San Marcello Piteglio)
The Ecomuseum of the Pistoia Mountains

San Marcello Piteglio

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The Ecomuseum of the Pistoia Mountains

L’Ecomuseo non è un museo in senso tradizionale: è un’esperienza museale diffusa, che documenta il rapporto secolare tra una popolazione e il suo ambiente, in dialogo costante, con reciproci condizionamenti e adattamenti.
L’Ecomuseo vi accompagna a passo lento, con i suoi sei itinerari, alla scoperta di testimonianze e tradizioni, che raccontano secoli di storia e di lavoro dell’uomo sull’Appennino Pistoiese, dove i particolari fattori ambientali e storici hanno condizionato l’economia e la cultura degli abitanti. Ferriere, mulini ad acqua, ghiacciaie e uno straordinario patrimonio naturalistico ti aspettano, per coinvolgervi nella dimensione autentica di un tempo, in un continuo viaggio tra presente e passato.