San Marcello Pistoiese and the enchanted Forest

A trail to ride by bike or e-bike to immerse yourself in the lush and refreshing nature of the Teso 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

Tappe itinerario

F.A.P- Ferrovia Alto Pistoiese

Tappa 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.
Maresca

Tappa 2

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.
Casetta de’ Pulledrari

Tappa 3

Casetta de’ Pulledrari

In the Teso Forest near Maresca, not far from the Rombiciano Pass, lies the Casetta de' Pulledrari. Built after World War II, it has been a landmark for many hikers and enthusiastic visitors to the Pistoia Mountains for years. In the summer, it comes back to life thanks to local associations.
Astronomical Observatory of the Pistoia Mountains

San Marcello Piteglio

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Astronomical Observatory of the Pistoia Mountains

The Astronomical Observatory of the Pistoia Mountains was built in 1991 and it is looked after by a group of amateur astronomers, from here we can scrutinize the stars thanks to two 5-metre-wide domes, which rotate at 360°, and to two 40 and 60 centimetres wide telescopes. Due to its highly advanced, technological instruments, the Observatory has been able to discover many new asteroids and meteors p
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.