Guided walking tours in Valdera

A program of excursions from May to September that covers the territory of Valdera, between Pontedera and Volterra.

Natural reserve of Monte Serra di Sotto – Sunday July 4th – 9:00am
A trekking inside the natural reserve that stretches in the south-east part of Monte Serra, with departure and arrival in Buti. We will walk along dirt roads and paths inside a protected environment with a prehistoric aspect. Length: 10km Height difference: 510m Difficulty: E
Loop route: Buti-M. Passatoio-Monumento ai Caduti-M. Piavola-M. Gentivola-Le Sale-Buca della Tana-Buti Time: 7h
Lunch: Packed lunch Recommended equipment: Water (at least 2l), quick snacks, packed lunch, hiking shoes, clothing suitable for the weather.
Meeting at 9:00 a.m. at the parking lot of the sports field of Buti, Via XXV Aprile.

Pontedera city of the “Vespa” Saturday 10 July – 16:00/19:00
The tour of the city starts from the Centrum Sete Sois Sete Luas, with a visit to the current exhibition, and continues with the Piaggio Museum, the largest and most complete Italian museum dedicated to the history of transport, with the famous Vespa collection and the collection of Piaggio products on two, three and four wheels. Walk in the historical center of the city, stopping here and there to admire the historical squares and the most recent works such as Piazza Garibaldi, with the War Memorial and the famous Murales by E. Baj, with its 100mt long and 3mt high. Walk on the “Corso”, the shopping street, with a stop at Palazzo Pretorio, often used for temporary exhibitions.
Meeting at 15:50 at the Pontedera and Valdera Tourist Office, in Viale Rinaldo Piaggio, 82.

Lari, the Vicari Castle and the Martelli pasta factory – Saturday, August 7 – 9:30am-12:30pm
Guided visit to the small village, to the Church of S. Leonardo and Santa Maria Assunta and to the Vicari Castle, seat of ancient prisons, rich in art and legends, from which it is possible to admire the Tuscan countryside. Visit to the Martelli pasta factory, workshop of ancient craftsmen, where it is possible to watch the bronze drawing of the pasta that makes it unique and famous all over the world.
Meeting at 9:30 am in Piazza del Comune, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, 2.

The waterfalls of Ghiaccione – Sunday, August 22 – 8:00am
Chianni is a small medieval village located in an area covered by chestnut forests and land planted with vines and olive trees. The country is mostly famous from the gastronomic point of view, but there is not only this: venturing into the woods we will go in search of the waterfalls of Ghiaccione. The name Ghiaccione derives from the fact that once, in summer, the inhabitants of the area went to seek refreshment in the cold waters of the stream. They represent a true corner of paradise, sought after for their cool climate even in summer, but also for their magical and secret atmosphere.
Length: 10km Difference in height: 220m Difficulty: E
Challenging loop trail Time: 7h
Lunch: Packed lunch Recommended equipment: Water (at least 2l), quick snacks, packed lunch, hiking shoes, suitable clothing for the weather.
Meeting at 8:00 a.m. at Chianni, before moving to the locality Ghiaccione (time 15min)

A journey into the past in Montefoscoli – Saturday 11 September- 16:00/19:00
Visit of the village of Montefoscoli up to the parish church of Santa Maria Assunta, visit of the “Museo della Civiltà Contadina”, where it is possible to admire the ancient basements, used for the reconstruction of environments of the rural world such as oil mills, granaries and much more. 800mt walk to the Temple of Minerva with visit.
Meeting at 15:50 at the square of the Museo della Civiltà Contadina, via Vaccà 44.

The Wetlands of Valdera (Bientina) – Sunday, September 12 – 9:00am
In this day we will discover the biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems and we will try to observe and photograph its inhabitants. We will visit very important places from the naturalistic point of view and ancient relict environments, belonging to what was in the past Tuscany in its inland plains.
Length: 8km Height difference: none Difficulty: T
Route inside the Tanali Woods and surrounding wetlands Time: 6h
Lunch: Packed lunch Recommended equipment: Water (at least 1.5l), quick snacks, packed lunch, hiking shoes, suitable clothing for the weather.
Meeting at 8:00 am at the parking lot in Loc. Caccialupi (Via Cristoforo Colombo, next to the Total Erg gas station)

Montecastello – Sunday September 26th – 9:00am
“At 248 fathoms above the Mediterranean sea level and 3 Tuscan miles to the southwest of Pontedera rises the Mons de Castello”. We will walk through the woods surrounding the ancient villages of Treggiaia and Montecastello, discovering the history and territory of the hills of Valdera.
Length: 7,5km Height difference: 130m Difficulty: T
Loop route: Montecastello-Treggiaia-Le Sodole-Montecastello Time: 5h
Lunch: Packed lunch Recommended equipment: Water (at least 1.5l), quick snacks, packed lunch, three pairs of shoes