Tour Overview
On this walking holiday, you blaze a trail through an almost forgotten corner of Tuscany. The Mugello valley, an area of outstanding beauty, just north of Florence, has always been the secret retreat of the city’s noblemen and luckily for us it’s stayed that way more or less. You’ll find many villas owned by the Medici tucked away in cypress groves. Giotto and Fra Angelico were born here, and the sunflower and poppy fields framed by oak and walnut tree-cloaked hills evoke many of the landscapes of their paintings.
After a night in Florence your walk takes you along the ridge between the Mugello and Sieve valleys through chestnut forests and along paths lined with crocuses and orchids. You enjoy glorious views over the wide Mugello valley, dotted with honeycoloured farmhouses, and the vineyards and olive groves of the Sieve valley lie at your feet. Grapes have been harvested here since the Etruscans, and there are plenty of opportunities for wine tasting.
The area became part of the Florentine City State in the 11C and you’ll find many beautiful castles, villas and churches to visit en route. And the hotels here are among our favourites: a **** villa popular with royalty, a country retreat beneath Monte Giovi with its own fishing lake, a *** country villa in parkland near Fiesole and a sss hotel in the centre of Florence.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Florence
Stay in our *** hotel in the centre of Florence.
Day 2 Florence (Fiesole) to Il Trebbiolo 12km/7mi/3.5hr or 16km/10mi/5hr
A short drive to enchanting Fiesole, a picture perfect Renaissance town above Florence. Time to visit its Roman amphitheatre before setting out through meadows bright with irises and poppies. Great views back over Florence from the summit of Il Pratone. It’s then a gentle descent through olive groves and cypress trees to our sumptuous *** villa hotel in the heart of the Mugello valley.
Day 3 At Il Trebbiolo
Your hotel is surrounded by 50 hectares of vineyards, olive groves and woodland, so lots of local walks on offer. Or just relax with a book by the gorgeous pool - balcony views across the valley are spectacular and, on a clear day, you can see Etruscan Fiesole and Florence. Alternatively you might want to take a taxi to Pratolino where the Renaissance Villa Demidoff houses magnificent formal gardens.
Day 4 Il Trebbiolo to La Sughera 13.5km/8.5mi/4hr
A woodland path lined with crocuses meanders just below the summit of Monte Rotondo. You enjoy great ridge top views over the Apennines before starting your descent across verdant meadows which gently climb to Monte Giovi. Just below the summit you’ll find our cosy mountain hotel - a former noble hunting lodge with stunning views.
Day 5 At La Sughera
La Sughera has its own lake, great for freshwater fishing (equipment can be borrowed from the hotel for a small fee), or just lazing on its banks watching the herons. There’s also what must be one of the most panoramic pools in Tuscany. For the more energetic there’s the climb to the summit of Monte Giovi or a circular walk takes you to the nearby hamlet of S. Brigida.
Day 6 La Sughera to Campestri 10km/6mi/2.5hr or 15km/9mi/4hr
A shady path will take you to Campestri in time for lunch but why not follow the scenic route? Winding your way down first to the pretty hamlet of San Cresci (lovely church) and then onto picturesque Sagginale. There’s time for a lunch at the local trattoria- superb Tuscan specialities - before climbing up to the hamlet of Arliano and then on to our beautifully positioned villa hotel at Campestri.
Day 7 At Campestri
Villa Campestri offers everything you could want from a C18 palazzo: sweeping lawns, antiques, red brocade sofas and magnificent Murano chandeliers. Paolo and his family speak excellent English and are very relaxed and friendly. From the pool, there are fabulous views down to the Sieve valley. In the valley near Vicchio (short taxi ride), you can visit the house where Giotto was born.
Day 8 Campestri to Florence 15km/9.5mi/5hr
A brief ascent through chestnut woods brings you to the little church of Santa’Andrea at Barbiana and down into the Sieve Valley. The fir and oak trees around Monte Giovi give way to cypress trees and vines. Time for a spot of wine tasting before you take the train from Dicomano back to Florence?
Day 9 Leave Florence
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