Tuscany has a famously beautiful landscape that is often imagined as soft and pretty, all rolling hills topped by medieval walled towns and winding roads lined by cypress trees. However, in addition to these lovely pastoral panoramas, the region of Tuscany also boasts some more dramatic landscapes that are no less beautiful and perfect for hiking in order to work hard for the pay off of a truly astounding view at the end. While we may all be stuck inside right now and unable to actually go and explore these beautiful different kinds of Tuscan landscapes and take on those challenging and rewarding hikes for ourselves right now, we can browse this list of some of the best views in Tuscany, take them in (without the sweating, for now), and look forward to adventures to be had sometime soon in the future!
1. The Parco Nazionale delle Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona and Campigna
This national park in in the Apennine region of Tuscany and Romagna was established in 1993 and preserves over 365 square kilometres of Italian flora and fauna. It is divided between the provinces of Florence, Arezzo and Forli-Cesena and is home to the best preserved and largest forest in Italy. Across the park, you will find mountains, valleys, springs, and over ten villages and will be able to enjoy outdoor pursuits including biking, horse-riding, hiking, bird-watching, and orienteering. However, the real star of the show is the views; the sight of the impressive Acquacheta waterfall racing over a sheer 70m drop; the ruins of the old monastery of San Benedetto; the panoramas from the various peaks in the park that take in views of both the Mediterranean and Adriatic; the centuries-old trees of the Lama Forest, and more!
This national park in in the Apennine region of Tuscany and Romagna was established in 1993 and preserves over 365 square kilometres of Italian flora and fauna. It is divided between the provinces of Florence, Arezzo and Forli-Cesena and is home to the best preserved and largest forest in Italy. Across the park, you will find mountains, valleys, springs, and over ten villages and will be able to enjoy outdoor pursuits including biking, horse-riding, hiking, bird-watching, and orienteering. However, the real star of the show is the views; the sight of the impressive Acquacheta waterfall racing over a sheer 70m drop; the ruins of the old monastery of San Benedetto; the panoramas from the various peaks in the park that take in views of both the Mediterranean and Adriatic; the centuries-old trees of the Lama Forest, and more!
2. The Passo Di Dante
The Passo di Dante on Monte Pisano, near Pisa, is great for those looking for a pleasant and not overly challenging hike that also boasts excellent views. Monte Pisano has quite a few different routes to choose from, of various levels of difficulty so there is probably something to suit everyone, no matter their previous hiking experience, age, or fitness level. The Passo di Dante is a moderate 5km loop that starts near San Giuliano Terme and Santa Maria del Giudice and heads up to the peak of Monte Pisano and takes in views over the landscape once ruled by the Count of Donoratico, who is mentioned in Dante's epic tale of a journey through the afterlife, in the circle of traitors in hell. Accordingly, the trail is named for the great writer and, while the passage in question that the view that it is connected to is rather horrifying, said spectacular view from here is truly extraordinary.
The Passo di Dante on Monte Pisano, near Pisa, is great for those looking for a pleasant and not overly challenging hike that also boasts excellent views. Monte Pisano has quite a few different routes to choose from, of various levels of difficulty so there is probably something to suit everyone, no matter their previous hiking experience, age, or fitness level. The Passo di Dante is a moderate 5km loop that starts near San Giuliano Terme and Santa Maria del Giudice and heads up to the peak of Monte Pisano and takes in views over the landscape once ruled by the Count of Donoratico, who is mentioned in Dante's epic tale of a journey through the afterlife, in the circle of traitors in hell. Accordingly, the trail is named for the great writer and, while the passage in question that the view that it is connected to is rather horrifying, said spectacular view from here is truly extraordinary.
3. Monte Oliveto
One of the most famous landscapes in all of Tuscany has to be the incredible Crete Senesi, which is at the heart of those renowned rolling hills and perfectly picturesque panoramas for which the region is so well-known. This is the typically idyllic Tuscan landscape of textbook images, postcard shots, and holiday photos. One of the best places to take in these views is from Monte Oliveto. Located near the town of Asciano, there are around ten different hiking routes in and around Monte Oliveto to choose from, all of which will reward with breath-taking views over this lovely part of Tuscany.
One of the most famous landscapes in all of Tuscany has to be the incredible Crete Senesi, which is at the heart of those renowned rolling hills and perfectly picturesque panoramas for which the region is so well-known. This is the typically idyllic Tuscan landscape of textbook images, postcard shots, and holiday photos. One of the best places to take in these views is from Monte Oliveto. Located near the town of Asciano, there are around ten different hiking routes in and around Monte Oliveto to choose from, all of which will reward with breath-taking views over this lovely part of Tuscany.
4. The Grande Traversata Elbana
The Grande Traversata Elbana, or Great Elba Crossing, is a long circuit of routes and trails around the Tuscan island of Elba. It is the main route that crosses the island and is a trekking route that moves in an east to west direction, starting from Cavo, near the north-eastern end of the island, and then crossing the central ridge of Elba towards Monte Capanne. The north-western section runs through the valley of Rio Gabbiola and extends to the tip of Polveraia, while the south-western route stretches down to Pomonte. In total, it is around 60km in length and takes days to complete. However, if you're not up for a whole holiday of intense trekking, you can just choose from the different sections and go on a day trip or for a couple of hours along one of them. No matter what you choose, you're guaranteed to take in some astounding views over this beautiful island on the Tuscan Coast.
The Grande Traversata Elbana, or Great Elba Crossing, is a long circuit of routes and trails around the Tuscan island of Elba. It is the main route that crosses the island and is a trekking route that moves in an east to west direction, starting from Cavo, near the north-eastern end of the island, and then crossing the central ridge of Elba towards Monte Capanne. The north-western section runs through the valley of Rio Gabbiola and extends to the tip of Polveraia, while the south-western route stretches down to Pomonte. In total, it is around 60km in length and takes days to complete. However, if you're not up for a whole holiday of intense trekking, you can just choose from the different sections and go on a day trip or for a couple of hours along one of them. No matter what you choose, you're guaranteed to take in some astounding views over this beautiful island on the Tuscan Coast.
5. Pratomagno
The Pratomagno Mountain Range, which is located between Casentino and the upper Valdarno, is an incredibly diverse and rich and pretty part of Tuscany that is made up of slopes characterised by the presence of lots of little streams, furrows, hillocks, pastures, meadows, and forests and groves. The impressive forests of the area are home to oak, beech, chestnut, pine, and fir trees, some of which have reached staggering heights. As you wander, you'll encounter all sorts of beauty from windflowers in spring and summer, to golden leaves in autumn, to towering snow-capped peaks in winter, to a diverse ecosystem of flora and fauna, and much more besides as you make your way along trails and, then, upon reaching the mountain-tops in the area, you'll be rewarded with panoramic views over all of it laid out below you.
Hikes in Tuscany may be a bit away yet but someday soon we'll all be free to roam once more and when that happens, there is a whole lot of world to see and we can't wait. In the meantime, let's all hang in there together and dream of a better tomorrow!
The Pratomagno Mountain Range, which is located between Casentino and the upper Valdarno, is an incredibly diverse and rich and pretty part of Tuscany that is made up of slopes characterised by the presence of lots of little streams, furrows, hillocks, pastures, meadows, and forests and groves. The impressive forests of the area are home to oak, beech, chestnut, pine, and fir trees, some of which have reached staggering heights. As you wander, you'll encounter all sorts of beauty from windflowers in spring and summer, to golden leaves in autumn, to towering snow-capped peaks in winter, to a diverse ecosystem of flora and fauna, and much more besides as you make your way along trails and, then, upon reaching the mountain-tops in the area, you'll be rewarded with panoramic views over all of it laid out below you.
Hikes in Tuscany may be a bit away yet but someday soon we'll all be free to roam once more and when that happens, there is a whole lot of world to see and we can't wait. In the meantime, let's all hang in there together and dream of a better tomorrow!
Photo credits
Picture 2: FollowTheMedia / CC BY-SA 3.0;
Picture 3: Daniele Napolitano / CC BY 2.0;
Picture 4: Enrico Strocchi / CC BY-SA 2.0;
Picture 5: PROPOLI87 / CC BY-SA 4.0
Picture 2: FollowTheMedia / CC BY-SA 3.0;
Picture 3: Daniele Napolitano / CC BY 2.0;
Picture 4: Enrico Strocchi / CC BY-SA 2.0;
Picture 5: PROPOLI87 / CC BY-SA 4.0
