FIND YOUR FUN

OUTDOOR, ACTIVE AND ADVENTURE TRAVEL ACTIVITIES IN THE MIDDLE OF TUSCANY

Find out more about the land of Leonardo and Pinocchio: Montecatini Terme and its Valdinievole hills, Pistoia and its mountains

Pro Loco Montecatini Alto

Comune di Montecatini Terme

PROVINCE DI PISTOIA E PRATO

Provincia di Pistoia

Comune di Pistoia

FIND YOUR FUN

Outdoor activities in Montecatini Terme & Valdinievole and in Pistoia & its Mountains

Montecatini Terme, the host city for ATWS2018 is located in Tuscany, centre of Italy, 30km from International Florence and Pisa airports, within the county of Pistoia.

The County of Pistoia is organized in three districts: Montecatini Terme & Valdinievole, Pistoia and the Mountains over Pistoia. Montecatini Terme & Valdinievole is a peculiar land, known since centuries for its thermal waters, and now spotted as the “Magical Tuscany�, between Leonardo and Pinocchio, for Vinci is the birthplace of Leonardo, the Genius of Humanity, and Collodi is the home of the most famous wooden puppet of the world, both being East and West fines of the districts. Such ambassadors must be immediately listed, and all the district is fully tied to their worldwide images. Pistoia district includes the medieval city of Pistoia,

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former Italian Capital of Culture 2017, and home of some of the most important Romanesque building in Italy: a rare and secret jewel for culture lovers, also house of the biggest nursery parks in Europe, whose plants are sold throughout the world since one century, so far. The district of the Mountains over Pistoia is one of the most interesting for outdoor tourism, with a long list of winter or summer activities, easily accessible from both locals and tourists. Furthermore it is an Adventure travel destination, thanks to the summer extreme and non-extreme bike activities, such as downhill and endure parks, or listing the winter exciting alpine sky tracks, or mentioning one of the biggest ultramarathon in Europe, Pistoia – Abetone, a 51km vertical marathon which is fascinating thousands of people since 1970.

Montecatini Terme and its Valdinievole hills, Pistoia and Its mountains

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TREKKING

Walking through the hills, hiking through the mountains

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Trekking in the district between Leonardo and Pinocchio would be an outdoor and cultural experience, unlike many other spots in Tuscany or Italy: located in a millenary crossroads between the mountains and the only way to get to Rome (Romea Strata and Francigena historical roads) this district counts a number of trekking paths that lead to old open churches or little villages that can be visited, and the outdoor experience immediately becomes something different. Historical buildings compose a different mosaic of must-see places, and some of the best trails are literally between Leonardo and Pinocchio.

The Paths in the majority of the cases have red&white signals (official CAI Signals) and an identifying number, that makes it easy to find it online or on our Outdoor Web App (FIND YOUR FUN). The list of trekking paths includes short walks such as those starting from Montecatini Terme to Montecatini Alto and long walks, such as the ALTA VIA VALDINIEVOLE, that crosses 5 hills and passes through all the villages between Serravalle and Pescia: the old way to Lucca and Pisa it was, from Florence, or from Vinci; indeed this was the same path that Leonardo da Vinci used to do many times, when he tried to move the flow of the river Arno, to improve health and richness of our lands. Trekking

Paths are available starting from any of the Valdinievole villages, such as in Vinci, Lamporecchio, Larciano, Monsummano Terme, Serravalle Pistoiese, Pieve a Nievole, Montecatini Terme, Massa e Cozzile, Borgo a Buggiano, Uzzano, Chiesina Uzzanese and Ponte Buggianese, and Pescia, where the largest number of tracks is in the Valleriana valley or between Collodi and Lucca. Trekking on the Mountains of Pistoia is a real outdoor experience: reaching over 1000 metres of heights, the tracks are particularly open, wide open grass tracks under blue skyes, surrounded by blackberry bushes (a real eat-and-go path!): the net is quite big, and there are paths both for easy trekking with kids, and for expert trekkers, and Nordic walkers.

Some of the tracks require correct equipment and are quite difficult, for hard trekking lovers and panoramas seekers.

One of the most popular walks in the area is the walk to Scaffaiolo Lake, a magic water mirror in the middle of mountains, showing fantastic reflections of the sky and clouds.

Cultural paths are also available in the Mountains of Pistoia, such as the EcoMuseum of the Mountains, featuring many historical and interest points of old manufactures, such as the Ice – making buildings, or the old mills of the Mountains.

INFO Download the App MONTECATINI OUTDOOR to find all the trekking paths of Montecatini & Valdinievole Area, our magical Tuscany from Leonardo to Pinocchio.

Find more on the website www.tomontecatini.com for Montecatini & Valdinievole area description Download the App ABETONE TRAIL PARK to find all the trekking paths on the Mountains of Pistoia - Abetone Find out more on the App or on the website www.abetonetrailpark.com to download the tracks in Abetone Find out more on the website www.doganaccia2000.it to download the tracks in Doganaccia2000

CAMMINI: HISTORY AND FAITH ON WALKING PATHS SAN BARTOLOMEO “CAMMINO” History at walk The Cammino of San Bartolomeo is a walking path that links the cult places named after or dedicated to Saint Bartolomeo, between Emilia and Tuscany region: Fiumalbo, Cutigliano, Spedaletto and Pistoia. This path is long 100km and it can be done in 5 days, and it is serviced at walking distance: at any of the stages of the walk, shops and restaurants would be at a short and reachable distance, including pharmacies, accommodations, local shops or typical restaurants.

More info on www.camminodisanbartolomeo.com

THE FRANCIGENA ROAD & AND THE “ROMEA STRATA” The area of Valdinievole (from Lucca to Florence and viceversa) has always been highly frequented from politicians, military forces, diplomatic personnel and Church delegates: that was the Romea Strata path, known since 2000 years, crossing the Valdinievole between the filthy and unsane waters of the Padule Marshland and the hills overlooking it, one after the other. The road would keep on going through Serravalle, and then towards Pistoia and Florence, via the hills of Vinci and Montalbano, the same hills that later Leonardo would live as his home ground. The Francigena Road would pass from here, too, as the medieval sculpture of Sant’Andrea delle Fratte church would demonstrate, however the official track of the Francigena now passes from Altopascio, 10km south est of Chiesina, directed to San Miniato, while the old Francigena would pass from the Marshlands, too, using the peculiar “barchino” boats.

More info on www.viefrancigene.org/en/resource/statictrack/ tappa-29-da-altopascio-san-miniato/

TRAIL RUNNING

You against yourself: all the challenges for trail runners in the area

Trail running is a major outdoor sport tendence, and the area offers many tracks and contests for this discipline: the biggest area for trail runners is Abetone, and the app Abetone Trail Park has a number of tracks to be downloaded, among the mountains over Pistoia. There are also a couple of important competitions: the Dynamo Trail Run, around 20 August every year (20km and 10km), quite hard but with beautiful views, and one of the

most famous Ultra Marathons in Europe, the Pistoia – Abetone run, 51km vertical which is held since 1976, where thousands of people participate and challenge themselves to the top of the mountain. In Valdinievole Area there is a 17km trail running track in Borgo a Buggiano, also downlaoadable from our APP “Montecatini Outdoor”, while the majority of trekking trails can also be used for trail running, expecially ALTA VIA VALDINIEVOLE and the crossing paths.

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ROAD CYCLING No matter if you’re a pro or if you just go: grab your bike and pedal in Tuscany The three districs of Pistoia County are famous throughout the world as the temple of Road Cycling, which is San Baronto, in Lamporecchio the hill track for the best athletes of the world. Listing from the world champion Nibali to many other worldwide famous athletes, there is a number of international team of UCI road cycling, including national teams, that spend months in this part of Tuscany to practice in our streets, considered among the best of the world for the complexity, the view and the variety of tracks. Road cycling is a family affair, too, though, such as many people from north Europe taught us coming over since 20 years now to cycle around the area with their kids, seeking for beautiful panoramas and good food. Bikers also look for facilities, and we have bike hotels as well as bike services 24hrs available. Some of the most excinting itineraries for Road Cycling are the 2013 World UCI championship track,

a ring around San Baronto hill, and many rings or long paths, expecially between Vinci and Fucecchio Marshland, or in the Valleriana valley, close to Pescia. Yearly there are various cycling races, and Giro d’Italia often passes from the area, such as in 2017, and next year too, 2019 from Vinci, to celebrate 500 years of the Genius.

Pistoia is linked to Valdinievole cycling roads from Serravalle, pedaling through Casalguidi (linked to San Baronto) and other small and iconic green villages. Vertical Road cycling is the main peculiarity of Mountains of Pistoia: starting both from Pistoia or from Valdinievole there are two passes to get to Abetone or Cutigliano on the mountains, both quite difficult and as continuous vertical climbs: the perfect match for those trying to challenge themselves over glorious cycling itineraries, a huge ring of paths linking Romagna Appennine and Lucca county. A neverending wonder.

INFO Download the App MONTECATINI OUTDOOR to find all the Road – Cycling tracks Montecatini & Valdinievole Area, our magical Tuscany from Leonardo to Pinocchio.

Find more on the website www.tomontecatini.com for Montecatini & Valdinievole area description Looking for Bike facilities?

Need a Bike Hotel?

Find out more on the website www.bikeexperience.tuscany.it Info and bookings ph +39 0572 75365

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MOUNTAIN BIKE All Mountains, Cross Country, Downhill, Enduro The world of Mountain Bike is wide open to the biggest public, and Tuscany offers a lot for MTB Lovers.

This area in particular is voted to Mountain Bikers in different ways within the districts: Montecatini Terme & Valdinievole counts many tracks All Mountain – style, such as the roads in Valleriana (Pescia) or the roads linking the hills of Valdinievole, from Pescia to Montecatini up and down 5 hills, overlooking Montecatini and the Marshland of Fucecchio. Some downhill and cross-country options are also available in the Valleriana hills or Monte Battifolle, linked to Apuane appennine. A small downhill path has been built from Montecatini Alto down to Montecatini Terme from the worldwide famous BMC

Swiss MTB bike producer, that picked Montecatini to launch its new 2019 products. On the Mountains of Pistoia there is a large net of tracks dedicated for hard – bikers, such as those practicing Cross-country or Down-hill, and even Enduro, where international and European competitions are continuously held in Spring and Summer.

The length and the speed of the tracks make them extremely interesting for adrenaline-seekers, and the trail park is managed by former riders who can perfectly match the most specific requests in this field. The Abetone Gravity Park is one of the best equipped in Italy, while there is a big wait for the “TRANS-TUSCANY “ competition to be held in 2019.

INFO Download the App MONTECATINI OUTDOOR to find all the Mountain Bike tracks of Montecatini & Valdinievole Area, our magical Tuscany from Leonardo to Pinocchio.

Find more on the website www.tomontecatini.com for Montecatini & Valdinievole area description Download the App ABETONE TRAIL PARK to find all the Mountain Bike tracks on the Mountains of Pistoia - Abetone Find out more on the App or on the website www.abetonetrailpark.com to download the tracks in Abetone Find out more on the website www.abetonegravitypark.it for ENDURO, DOWNHILL and FREERIDE options, including rental and insurance options Find out more on the website www.doganaccia2000.it to download the MTB and Downhill tracks in Doganaccia 2000 9

HORSEBACK RIDING All you need for happiness is a good horse

There are different ways to practice Horseback riding in the area, starting from a very basic level in the nearbys of the Marshland of Fucecchio Padule, to a more difficult level through the paths between the hills of Valdinievole; easy horseback riding excursions are possible in the Mountains of Pistoia, San Marcello, too. The district of Montecatini Terme & Valdinievole has some places where horseback riding is well organized and provides a real outdoor experience with horses, expecially in the Marshland of Fucecchio Area in the hills of Uzzano and in the hills of Montalbano, that is Larciano, Lamporecchio and Vinci. In the Marshland of Fucecchio area, very flat and within a natural reserve, a paradise for birdwatchers, there are many options for half day excursions or full day excursions, or even for weekends spent outdoor with the horses: very peculiar experiences including the tent- camp organization. Horseback riding over the hills of Valdinievole, starting from Uzzano, gives many chances to take advantage of beautiful panoramas after riding within the tuscan woods, made by chestnuts and oaks. The Montalbano area, the

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sweet hills where even Leonardo da Vinci used to horseback ride when he was young, features a number of spectacular and easy paths, ideal for family travelers or for a first-time experience of this discipline.

Find out more on the website www.tomontecatini.com to find out addresses for Horseback riding in Montecatini Terme & Valdinievole, and Pistoia Area

PARAGLIDING 3.2.1.. go!

Paragliding is possible in Monsummano Terme, located in Monsummano Alto, from a peak over the old roman stone cave, the same cave where climbing is possible, organized by CAI. This paragliding option is possible for those attending paragliding courses, or as a tandem flight, that is being tied with a professional paraglider.

The view is amazing over the old

roman cave, plus the panorama wide open on this magical Land between Leonardo and Pinocchio is breathtaking: the flight is considered simple, considering all the possible landing spots, but the starting point only allows one paraglide at a time.

The winds must be west, northwest or south-west, and the flight is by dynamic ascensions more than thermic ascensions.

For more info ONLY PROFESSIONAL www.parapendiopisa.it Mr Walter Bardi ph +39 334 7779747

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FUCECCHIO MARSHLAND Birdwatching and swamp cruising in “Padule” The Fucecchio Marshes Nature ReserveThe Fucecchio Marshes cover an area of about 1,800 hectares, divided between the Province of Pistoia and the Province of Florence. Although much smaller than the original lakeland-marsh which once covered much of southern Valdinievole, it is still the largest inland marsh of Italy.

History and traditionsAs well as its rich landscape and nature, the Marsh still maintains the fascination of historical events related to the great Medici and Lorena families. Important testimonies to the works of man still remain, which over the centuries have modelled and changed the structure of the wetlands themselves: the canals and portal system, signs of ancient and important waterways; the Medicean

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Bridge at Cappiano (the hub of water control and fishing activity as well as an important stop along the Via Francigena); the Capannone Farm complex, one of the main berthings in the Valdinievole and other buildings now classified as examples of industrial archaeology like the tobacco dryhouses.

The commemorative plaques on the huts or along the river banks tell a more recent history: the tragedy of the barbaric massacre by Nazis on 23rd August, 1944.Some activities, related to working the marshland grasses, have managed to survive: a few skilled craftsmen still gather and weave the local “sarello” and “sala” to cover seats and flasks and manufacture other objects of every-day use, as well as “gaggia” and other typical plants.

An ancient flora Situated at the boundary between peninsular and continental Italy, that enjoy a Mediterranean and continental climate respectively, the Marshes simultaneously shelter plants adapted to different climates: for example the Frogbit and Royal Fern, both typical of a warm, humid climate, grow together with a rather special kind of moss called Sphagnum, more typical of cold northern climates, that reached this area during the Ice Ages. Because of its characteristic vegetation and floristic peculiarities, the Fucecchio Marshes has been considered a biotope of particular interest and deserving protection in the list drawn up by the Italian Botany Society.

A surprising fauna The Fucecchio Marshes play an important role in the migratory route between the Tyrrhenian coast and the hinterland; over the year, about 200 species of birds can be seen here.

The marshland offers exceptional opportunities for birdwatchers and nature photographers, especially during the spring migration.The herons are a particularly important feature here, where they are concentrated in a large heronry, a veritable “city of herons” with thousands of birds consisting of the parents, juveniles and last year’s immatures; this is the most important nesting colony in south-central Italy.

BIRDWATCHING at The Centre for R.D.P. of Fucecchio Marshes

The Centre for Research, Documentation and Promotion of Fucecchio Marshes, the ONLUS Association, organises both educational and recreational activities, carries out research and monitoring services to check the quality of the environment.It also has a Visitor’s Centre and a Laboratory for Environmental Education at Castelmartini and organises guided tours for school groups and adults. Birdwatching is always possible when climate and water make the access to the centre possible: a nice thick-book is provided to all the birdwatchers, and binoculars are also available, although we recommend to book in advance. www.zoneumidetoscane.it

SWAMP CRUISE with the BARCHINO: SHOOT THE BEST PICTURE EVER! Generations of swamp inhabitants used to move around the fields with a peculiar boat, called BARCHINO, literally “little boat”, which is a rudimental but useful long boat that must be led by a standing rower with a special oar: water is not deep, therefore the oar must be very long and strong, so that the rower doesn’t fall out the boat; up to 5 people can stay in the same barchino, and being very low on water it was used by hunters to get silently close to bushes, in order to catch ducks or gooses or other eatable birds. Now it’s considered the best way to get close to storks families in order to shoot incredible naturalistic pictures, such as nature lovers do!

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OUR CAVES Climbing, Cave exploring & Cave diving Montecatini Terme & Valdinievole district is well famous around theworld for its thermal waters, that all rely on a complex former volcanic system, that has left visible traces of its transformations throughout the territory. There are several caves in the area, only one still in use (the cave of Pietra Serena in Valleriana (Pescia)) , two of which have been transformed into sport experiences, and in some cases in touristic experiences.

GROTTA MAONA in Montecatini is a complex including a millenary cave

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with stalactitis and stalagmitis forming strange images, very unlikely with two different entrances and exits, such as no other one in Italy. The Grotto is close to a former stone cave, which is now used from CAI – Speleo section to organize climbing training courses, or climbing open days for those who want to start the discipline. Some of the parts of the cave were used during 1st and 2nd world war to hide armies, and the holes are still visible with military instructions still written on them. But the most famous Grotto and Cave is in Monsummano Terme, in the Grotta Giusti Area: Grotta Giusti is a grotto recently (and quite luckily) discovered during some major house restoration works, and it is

worldwide famous for its three level of temperature (Inferno, Limbo and Paradise) daily reached bu thousands of tourists and clients who want to experience the relaxing silence of the underground grotto. It is the only place in the world where it’s possible to take the Padi for Grottos, and the experience of Cave diving is simply amazing: forget any sound or any light, breath and that will be the only noise you’ll hear. Many yoga international schools retreat in the grotto to look for the absolute silence. Close to the Grotta Giusti there is another area (former stone cave) where CAI – Speleo group also organizes climbings for experts or climbing school (not basics).

Find out more on www.tomontecatini.com

SPORT FISHING Good things come to those who bait There is quite a list of chances for sport fishing lovers in the area, both in the clear waters of our mountain rivers and in the marshland of Padule area, Valdinievole, being the biggest inland humid area in Italy Within the waters of Lima and Sestaione rivers it is possible to find the Brown Trout, both in the free waters and in the regulated areas: the Brown Trout is a peculiar salmonid fish which has always been living in these waters, too.

Fly-fishing, spinning and Natural Bait Fishing are the techniques to be used in the mountain waters during the

fishing season, from the last week of February to the first week of October.

There are good chances of fishing in the “Three Limentre” area (Pavana, Treppio and Lentula) and in the Pescia torrent (Pietrabuona, Valleriana – Pescia), and even in the Reno valley, reachable by Porrettana slow railway.

If you are more keen on other kind of fishes than trouts, there are carp, pike, black bass, tench, chub, catfish, and many others can be found in the Marshland of Fucecchio Padule, or in the final part of the torrent Pescia in Collodi and in Pescia (that is both the name of the village and of the river) Find out more on www.tomontecatini.com on Lakes and rivers for fishing

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ORIENTEERING & ADVENTURE PARKS Adventure is a family business

Orienteering is one of the big thrills of the year: not just exploring but challenging yourself with the discipline of orienteering. There is an official court for professional races of orienteering, and it’s the pinewood of Montecatini Terme “Pineta”: some regional and national orienteering races are being held throughout the year. Orienteering is also practiced on the Mountains, expecially in Doganaccia2000 park. Professional Federation Mirco Mori is the reference for the Area.

Find out more on Orienteering in Montecatini on www.tomontecatini.com Find out more on Orienteering in Doganaccia on www. doganaccia2000.it/orienteering/

Outdoor activities are the best for families with kids, for young people or for people seeking adrenaline or different experience: at the Doganaccia 2000 area there is an Adventure Park for three levels of people, built on the trees with bridges, climbing challenges and “Angel flying points”. The levels are differenced by the height from ground: the Adventure trail includes the possibility to try the adrenalinic MONOTRACK-BOB: 800mt of descend for two, adrenaline and nature all around!

Another Adventure Park in the area is fully dedicated to kids, and it’s located within the Pinocchio Park in Collodi (Pescia): bridges, tracks, Angel flying for kids will make the Pinocchio experience even more fun!

Find out more on Adventure Park in Doganaccia www.doganaccia2000.it/parcoavventura/ Find out more on Pinocchio Adventure Park in www.tomontecatini.com

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WINTER SPORTS Snow is a state of mind, up here For the winter sports lovers the Mountains of Pistoia offer a number of most complete skiing stations within the central Appennine. Mountains are lively with their small peculiar villages and real borgos, featuring a number of small and bigger events throughout the winter season, and with a lot of small and typical shops , local food spots and hotels. There are Four Valleys where Ski, Snowboard, Alpine ski and orienteering can be practiced: Val di Luce, Valle del Sestaione, Valle dello

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Scoltenna, Valle della Lima. With more than 21km of chair lifts, more than 40 ski tracks for over 60km of skiing surfaces, including Cross Country Ski this area becomes interesting both for families and beginners and for experts.

An extended net of trails and restoration points reveals very fun and peculiar snowshoes excursions, with incredible panoramas and enjoyable cultural spots. Disabled may ski, too, due to adequate infrastructures available in the area.

Find out more about winter sports at www.abetoneovovia.it or www.abetonemultipass.it for Abetone Ski complex Find out more about winter sports at www.doganaccia2000.it for Doganaccia Ski complex

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MORE ABOUT SORROUNDINGS The Region of Pistoia and our Magical Tuscany between Leonardo and Pinocchio Montecatini Terme and the Valdinievole valley are known in history mostly for their link to water, both thermal spring waters in Montecatini and Monsummano, and marsh waters of “Padule” swamp area.

These particular waters designed our land as it is right now: crossed by the ancient roman “Romea Strata” road, passing through the swamp and the hills in the only possible way, this land has been developing big markets and fighting big battles, therefore it

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has been poor and rich forever.

It was the land where a young Genius named Leonardo was raised, in Vinci, on the Montalbano Area, one of the limits of Valdinievole, and it’s been the land of Carlo Lorenzini, also known as Carlo Collodi, father of Pinocchio, the world famous wooden puppet, on the other limit.

And what’s in here now? Thermal Waters, at Terme di Montecatini or at Grotta Giusti in Monsummano; an incredible system of beautiful

medieval villages linked by panoramic trekking paths with tasty restaurants, peculiar shops, wineries and many others Tuscanyoriented options. Montecatini Terme has many nightlife options as well, such as lively pubs, disco and nightly open restaurants, plus an interesting enogastronomic offer in terms of quality ingredients and Slow Food elements, like the Sorana Bean from Pescia, or the raw milk pecorino cheese from the Mountains of Pistoia. Divided by the Serravalle hill, there comes Pistoia and its land: a wide and flat plan towards Florence and a high and charming mountains chain towards Bologna.

Biodiversity, mountain villages, woods, rivers, secluded places and old traditions live together in this land, deeply designed by Medieval and Romanic architectural eve and from difficult and winding narrow roads through the mountains. Time hasn’t stopped, but it has certainly signed its passage on this land, for the amusement of the 2 millions people that visit it every year since a very long time.

PORRETTANA EXPRESS Legacy and tradition of our land

The Porrettana Railway was opened in 1864, linking Pistoia with Porretta Terme, a famous thermal destination at the time, through a difficult territory, quite winding but extraordinarily charming all the way up the Tosco - Emiliano Appennine: a railway that can be certainly considered a link between the County of Pistoia, including Valdinievole, and its mountains.

This part of the Appennine has a thick net of trekking or mtb trails, and of course bikes can be transported over these peculiar trains: wide nature, enogastronomic traditions with local recipees, cultural tracks and many outdoor sports and activities contribute all together to describe this hidden gem of Italy, the Mountains of Pistoia.

Slow moving here means fast enjoying, down here: tourists may find something genuine and unrevealed.

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www.discoverpistoia.it

MONTECATINI TERME & VALDINIEVOLE CONTACTS PAM Tettuccio Tour www.montecatinipromozione.com Toscana Turismo & Congressi ww.toscanaturismocongressi.it Ranieri Viaggi www.ranieritouroperator.com PISTOIA CONTACTS Consorzio Turistico Città di Pistoia www.pistoiaturismo.it Toscana Turismo & Congressi www.toscanaturismocongressi.it MOUNTAINS OF PISTOIA CONTACTS Consorzio APM www.abetoneapm.it Toscana Turismo & Congressi www.toscanaturismocongressi.it

www.tomontecatini.com