×

Garfagnana Valley: the attractions you can’t miss

November, 17 2020 ( Updated July, 29 2024)

Italy
Tuscany
Nature
Family
A land of ancient traditions, medieval villages, untouched nature, temperate climate, and characteristic flavours, Garfagnana Valley brings together art, nature and good food to create a unique experience for which you do not have to stray too far from the main cities. The famous historic city of Lucca, which is the ideal starting point for scenic drives in Tuscany, is also the perfect gateway to Garfagnana! So, whether you want to escape the crowds for a while or explore the untouched parts of Tuscany, Garfagnana Valley is a must in your itinerary.  There are many things to do in Garfagnana, from exploring nature and culture to adventure and photographing Garfagnana’s best shots. Here we have listed the best attractions in Garfagnana that you simply can’t miss: 

Immerse in the Garfagnana’s natural beauty at Lake Vagli


A panoramic view of the lake of Vagli in Garfagnana seen from the plateau of Careggine with the Apuan peaks in the backgroundThe enchanting Lake Vagli with the Apuan Alps in the background 

Lake Vagli and its suspension bridge should be on the itinerary of anyone visiting the valley for the first time and looking for Garfagnana’s scenic landscape. The lake, although man-made, has a truly magical history. Buried under the basin of Vagli there is a completely submerged ghost town. Only on rare occasions and every 25 years when the dam is emptied, the village emerges, presenting an incredible sight. Visitors can also enjoy tranquil activities like canoeing on the lake, meanwhile in the nearby Vagli Zip-line Park, they can fly high over the valley! 

Mountain lake in Orecchiella natural park in Garfagnana. Appennino Toscano. Tuscany, Italy A lovely mountain lake in the Orecchiella Nature Park 

For the more active tourists, a lot of Garfagnana’s hiking trails cover routes sprinkled with suspension bridges. Lake Vagli’s suspension rope bridge is an excellent starting point for many other hiking trails in the glacial valley of Campocatino.  Another recommended stop for those who want to visit the natural beauty of Garfagnana is Orecchiella Nature Park. It is especially loved by children, offering some of the best of Garfagnana’s outdoor activities to enjoy. The park is home to large green areas, mountainous ecosystems and friendly animals. There is also an interesting natural museum dedicated to natural cycles and habitats. The entire park is full of areas where you can enjoy a picnic surrounded by several ponds constructed to further enhance the beauty of the place. 

There is no shortage of bars and dining options either as you can taste the typical local dishes like Polenta di Formento (used making local corn) and Necci with Ricotta cheese (a type of Tuscan crepe) to savour the rustic flavour of Garfagnana. A little further, there is a mountain garden where you can observe different species of flowers. If you continue walking, you will find an area dedicated to animals, where you can see bears, deer, sheep and goats. 

Explore Garfagnana’s charming villages: Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, Borgo a Mozzano and Barga

Castelnuovo di Garfagnana: Land of Ancient Castles and Beautiful Hikes 


Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, a town in the province of Lucca, Toscana, central ItalyThe ancient cobble-stone village of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana 

One of the best Garfagnana travel tips is to explore its various villages that seem to be suspended in ancient times!  

With records of official mention in the 8th Century, Castelnuovo di Garfagnana is a beautiful cobble-stone village nestled in the heart of the valley. The village’s main landmark is Rocca Ariostesca, an ancient castle dedicated to the famous Italian poet, Ludovico Ariosto. Just a short walk from the Rocca, in the old historic town of the village, is the Duomo that houses a precious Black Christ worth admiring. The village also promises some worthwhile on-foot adventure on its 1.5-hour-long but easy Sentiero dell’Ariosto, or as it is called by the locals, the Lover’s Path, leading to the Fortress of Mont’Alfonso, offering some of the most suggestive views of the valley. 

Borgo a Mozzano: Home to the famous Devil's Bridge and its mythical legend 

Ponte della Maddalena or Ponte del Diavolo in Borgo a Mozzano Lucca, Tuscany ItalyThe magical Ponte della Maddalena or Ponte del Diavolo in Borgo a Mozzano, near Lucca 

Located half an hour from Castelnuovo, Borgo a Mozzano is famous for its four-arched Ponte della Maddalena bridge, popularly known as Ponte del Diavolo or the Devil’s Bridge. This Garfagnana attraction has curious a legend associated with its unusually large arc.  According to the legend, the worker appointed to finish the bridge could not do it on time and therefore asked for the devil’s help. The devil agreed on the condition that the devil would take away the soul of the first person to cross the bridge. But instead of a human, they made a dog cross it. Furious with such insult, the devil took the dog’s soul and vanished under the bridge leaving one of the arches bigger than the others! Today, the river Serchio flows through this bridge, which is still a wonderful example of medieval architecture once used by pilgrims travelling through the Via Francigena to Rome. 

Barga: The most Scottish Village of Garfagnana Valley and Italy

Barga medieval village at sunset in autumn. Garfagnana, Tuscany, Italy EuropeThe “most Scottish village in Italy”, Barga 

In addition to these is the “most Scottish village of Italy”, Barga. Located about a 20-minute drive from Castelnuovo. The village is home to some very Scottish traditions like the typical red-box telephone booths and the Fish and Chips Festival.  This is because Barga’s native population moved to Scotland for economic prosperity, but over time instead of settling there permanently, most of it came back to the beautiful Italian village and made it more Scottish than any other place in Italy!  

Editor's tip: Wandering off the timeline is the fairytale-like Isola Santa, located just a 20-minute drive from Castelnuovo,  sitting quietly on an artificial lake and waiting to be explored any time of the year.  

Walk into the ancient ages at Garfagnana’s Historical Sites 


Fortress of Verrulcole in San Romano, Garfagnana

The Fortress of Verrucole in San Romano in Garfagnana, Lucca-ItalyThe Fortress of Verrucole in San Romano, Garfagnana, Lucca-Italy 

Not far from the Orecchiella Park and San Romano in Garfagnana, the Verrucole Fortress, is an ancient and one of the best-preserved medieval castles open to the public. For families, it is a real experience. Often in the castle and in the open areas around it, there are people dressed in period costumes that will take you back in time. 

Tip: Visit the fortress’s Arqueopark to explore the medieval ages with experienced and knowledgeable guides.  

Where to go for Garfagnana’s Adventure tourism? 


View of Monte Forato in the Apuan AlpsThe natural arc of Monte Forato in the Apuan Alps

Garfagnana is perfect for year-round outdoor adventures.

In winter, the Apuan Alps offer cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and mountaineering in Careggine, Casone di Profecchia and Passo delle Radici. Meanwhile, in summer and spring, adventure parks like Parco Avventura Le Vigliese, with 9 climbing walls of varying difficulty; and Battiferro Park, with water trekking, climbing, slacklining and canyoning, offer the best of Garfagnana outdoor activities.  But if all these sounds too mellow, then Monte Forato’s natural arc with its swing set at a breathtaking height (1200m asl) is an ideal detour. You can also hike up to the summit to complete the entire adventure on your own! If you want to enjoy a different hiking experience, then the spectacular Karst phenomena of Grotta del Vento, with its convenient location close to the Forato peak, is ideal. For mountain biking enthusiasts, the valley is home to some excellent roads with smooth bends and typically Tuscan landscapes like Strada Provinciale di Arni, Passo del Vestito and Passo delle Radici!  

How to reach Garfagnana Valley? 

Located in the lush Tuscan hinterland, Garfagnana creates an authentic Tuscan experience away from the bustle of mass tourism. Yet, in Garfagnana, you are never too far from the action. Pisa is a 90-minute drive to the valley, meanwhile, Lucca is just an hour-long drive. From the Versilian Coast, the valley can also be reached easily from Forte dei Marmi and Viareggio.
  
So, are you ready to explore Garfagnana on your own? Discover the best vacation homes close to the valley, near Lucca and in Versilia.
GET TRAVEL UPDATES

join over 80,000 people who receive our updates