Sunday, February 13, 2011

Hikes of the Northern Tuscan Coast

Waves crashing on Marina di Pisa

8  Sterpaia Coastal Park

Loop trail through a variety of coastal habitats including beach, dunes, pine woodlands, and an old-growth ash forest.

Round Trip: 5.3 km (3.3 miles)
Elevation: Sea Level
Hiking Time: 1-2 hours
Park: Parco Costiera della Sterpaia (Val di Cornia)
Difficulty: Easy
Time to Visit: Year Round



9  Piombino Coast and Punta Falcone

Hike along the coast near Piombino from Punta Falcone to Punta Galera via Fosso alle Canne

Distance: 10 km (6.2 mi)
Elevation: Sea Level to 40 m (0 – 130 ft)
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Park: Parco Val di Cornia and Parco Punta Falcone
Difficulty: Easy
Time to Visit: Year Round



11   Marina di Pisa Loop

Loop through the forests and fields of Marina di Pisa in the Arno River floodplain

Round Trip: 7.3 km (4.5 miles)        
Elevation: Sea Level
Hiking Time: 1.5 hours
Park: Parco di Migliarino, San Rossore, Massaciuccoli
Difficulty: Easy
Time to Visit: Year Round



12  Dunes of Torre del Lago

A visit to a sensitive coastal dune ecosystem and protected pineta in the heart of the Versilia

Distance: ~ 8 km (5 miles)
Elevation: Sea Level
Hiking Time: 3 hours
Park: Riserva Naturale della Lecciona – Parco San Rossore, Migliarino, Massaciuccoli
Difficulty: Easy
Time to Visit: Year Round (avoid mid-day in summer)
Reccomended Visit: March to June
Pets: Not Allowed



13   Livorno Hills Park and Waterworks of Colognole Loop

A loop to an 18th century waterworks through the macchia and pines of the Livorno Hills

Distance: 7.5 km (4.7 mi)
Elevation: 182 – 415 m (597 – 1360 ft)
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Park: Il Parco dei Monti Livornesi
Time to Visit: Year Round, avoid mid-day in summer



16  Archeomineralological Park of San Silvestro

A loop through the ancient Estruscan mines and an abandoned medieval village in Southern Tuscany

Distance: 9 km (5.6 mi)
Elevation: 280 – 395 m (918 – 1295 ft)
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Park: Parco Archeominerario di San Silvestro (Val di Cornia)
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Time to Visit: Year Round