The route begins at Piazza del Duomo in Pistoia, then climbs into the northern hills, passing through the villages of Germinaia and Valdibrana, and on the return journey, along the shores of the lake in Villa Puccini Park, a magical spot just outside the city.
The itinerary, mostly paved but with some fun dirt road sections, is ideal for a pleasant half-day e-bike excursion.
Leaving behind the Palazzo Comunale, the Baptistery, and the Cathedral of San Zeno, we pass through San Francesco and then, via the bike path along the Brana stream, start a steady climb towards the hills north of Pistoia.
Amid olive groves and beautiful manor houses, with Villa Sbertoli standing out for its architectural beauty, we climb until we reach the village of Germinaia. After a refreshing break on the panoramic terrace, we take the dirt road to Croce a Romito, the highest point of the tour (420m above sea level), before descending the opposite side of the hill to the village of Valdibrana, an important place of worship in the Pistoian tradition.
We now descend the valley pleasantly, along the banks of the Brana stream, until we reach the entrance of the romantic park of Scornio, known to all Pistoia locals as Villon Puccini, just outside the city. The park, a popular spot for those who want to enjoy some greenery and peace, still showcases the visionary architectural creations of Niccolò Puccini, an eclectic philanthropist of 19th-century Pistoia, who sought to celebrate the great minds of thought and science, as well as the beauty of nature.
Back on the road, the route leads to its conclusion, returning to Piazza del Duomo.
Itinerary curated by Tuscany Hiking.
