A loop hike suitable for everyone to discover the Castella and the chestnut groves of the Pescia Valley, where generations of women and men have shaped the territory and made this hidden part of Tuscany enchanting.
What will we do?
We'll discover the ancient villages of Castelvecchio and San Quirico; we'll touch the stones worked by the valley's famous stonemasons,
We'll get to know the magnificent chestnut groves, once kept as gardens, and which today, thanks to the work of a few heroic young people, are once again being cared for.
We start from the village of Castelvecchio, walk through its narrow streets, and from there continue towards the ruins of an ancient mill immersed in the woods. We then come to the Romanesque parish church of Saints Thomas and Ansanus, which has been documented since 890 AD and is located on a branch of the Via Francigena. From here, through the chestnut groves, we arrive at the village of San Quirico in Valleriana. We admire its mighty defensive structure, which is still evident with its medieval ramparts, from which we can enjoy a panoramic view over the entire valley.
We return to the starting point along a path immersed in the olive groves.
Before ending our walk, it is possible to enjoy a food tasting of typical products at a local restaurant.

Route: 7-km loop
Duration - 3 hours.
Physical effort: Elevation gain of approximately +350 m (1150 ft). Intermediate difficulty (E), suitable for everyone, including families
Ideal for: groups and families
What to wear and what to bring in your backpack: trekking shoes, rain jacket, hat, at least 1 liter of water, sunglasses.
Recommended: Trekking poles and a camera