There is a vast wealth of attractions to draw visitors to the lovely historic city of Pisa but there is also plenty to be seen across the wider region by those who find a villa with a swimming pool in Pisa and are looking ahead for things to see and do during their holiday in Tuscany and while enjoying a Tuscany villa. Boasting a landscape that features those famous rolling hills and pastoral views for which Tuscany is so well-known, a whole host of wineries to be visited, great hiking routes to choose from, pretty little villages waiting to be explored, some exceptionally lovely gardens to wander, and much more besides, this is a particularly scenic part of the world that utterly abounds in natural bounty and beauty.
However, while the whole region features charming scenery and great swathes of unblemished natural splendour, there are several protected areas where nature remains largely completely untouched and these make for the perfect spots to get out and get active and leave the stresses of the modern world behind for a time. One such area is the Natural Park of Migliarino San Rossore Massaciuccoli, or Parco Regionale Migliarino, San Rossore, Massaciuccoli, a truly extraordinary nature park that is located just a few kilometres from the city of Pisa and extends along the coast, taking in parts of the municipalities of Pisa, Viareggio, San Giuliano Terme, Vecchiano, Massarosa, and Livorno. With much to see and do and plenty to keep kids and kids at heart alike happy, it is the perfect place to enjoy outdoor pursuits and to immerse oneself in the calming surroundings of Mother Nature.
Made up of several different types of landscapes and a selection of former parks and estates, the Natural Park of Migliarino San Rossore Massaciuccoli is composed of the Macchia Lucchese, Lake Massaciuccoli, the former Presidential Estate of San Rossore, the forests of Tombolo and Migliarino, the mouths of the Arno and Serchio rivers, and the Secche della Meloria, the rocks between Livorno and Gorgona island. In total, this vast, impressive, and gorgeous park takes in some 23,000 hectares of land in Tuscany. Throughout it, there are all sorts of routes taking you around the various parts of the park and include hiking trails, walkways along scenic stretches, bridges over the various bodies of water, and special structures that stimulate sight and hearing and are in place to allow people with motor and sensory disabilities to also enjoy this stunning corner of Tuscany.
These various routes can be enjoyed on foot, by bike, by horse-drawn carriage, by the ecological train that runs through the park regularly, and by boat. Furthermore, there is something for everyone who has found a villa in Pisa and wants to enjoy the Great Outdoors while in the area: lengthier and more difficult hiking trails for those looking to sweat, pretty little walkways for those more interested in just enjoying their surroundings, adventurous spots for those who like to explore, and family-friendly options for those brining small kids along who might get tired during the day. Entry into the park itself is free of charge but those who want to go on guided excursions of different sorts can pay to join the various groups that make their way through different areas of the park depending on their particular interests.
Awarded the European Diploma of Protected Areas in 2005, the Natural Park of Migliarino San Rossore Massaciuccoli is, however, a place where nature thrives and is preserved, first and foremost. So, while there is plenty to keep you busy, there is also plenty to see. Keeping your eyes open and being respectful of your surroundings and the animals and plants who live in the park is key. And, if you’re quiet and careful and lucky enough, you may get to spot some of the most extraordinary (and cute!) residents. Some of these residents include ducks, herons, seagulls, buzzards, woodpeckers, vipers, carp, pike, eels, shrimp, fallow deer, wild boar, wild rabbits, red foxes, and wolves. In addition to the creatures of the park, these is a wide array of trees and flora to be discovered and admired. A whole third of the park is covered in woodland and there is a great variety of tree species from poplar to ash to oak to pine trees. The flora is also varied and fascinating and the dunes and marsh areas, in particular, are home to rare species such as sundew, periploche, osmunda, and pink hibiscus.
So, if that all sounds intriguing to you and you have found a vacation rental in Pisa or a holiday rental in Tuscany then it is only left to plan your visit. There are some details of openings to take note of if you’re thinking of heading to the park on a trip: the former Presidential Estate of San Rossore is open to the public every day in the area between Cascine Vecchie and La Sterpaia, while the rest (except for the coastal part) is accessible free of charge on Sundays and public holidays and is also possible to access by paid entrance or annual pass from Tuesday to Friday. Guided tours can be offered readily and access with these guides is offered every day. Just make sure to contact the Visitor Centre in advance of your visit. Access to the park’s interiors areas is allowed on foot, horseback, and by bike and tours can be arranged on foot, by horse, by carriage, or on the train running through the park. The Macchia Lucchese, Massaciuccoli Lake, the Coltano Estate and part of the Migliarino and Tombolo Estates, meanwhile, can be visited freely and are always accessible.
Parco Regionale Migliarino, San Rossore, Massaciuccoli
Tenuta di San Rossore, Loc. Cascine Vecchie - 56122 Pisa
+39 050 539111
protocollo@sanrossore.toscana.it
Picture 1 Daniele Napolitano / CC BY-SA 4.0;
Picture 2 Giovanni Cerretani / CC BY-SA 4.0;
Picture 3 Daniele Napolitano / CC BY-SA 3.0;
Picture 4 Daniele Napolitano / CC BY-SA 4.0;
