The area offers itineraries for expert hikers, families and children alike, up to museums about the life of the park, trails alongside bunkers and fortifications from WWII. The Apuan Alps regional park in Versilia offers this and much more.
The protected area of the Apuan Alps regional park extends between the provinces of Massa-Carrara and Lucca and covers a predominantly mountainous area. These are called Alps precisely because of the sharp peaks that contrast so abruptly with the nearby Apennines. The peaks, which offer breath-taking sceneries including a view beyond Corsica and of the French coasts on clear days, can be appreciated by all through a variety of activities, from hiking to mountain biking, from horseback to a simple picnic.
The walking routes are endless, offering various difficulty levels and travel time suitable for families with children and expert hikers, and an itinerary with facilities for the visually impaired. Take your pick based on the theme or your level, from a naturalistic to a historical tour tracing back the remains of WWII between trenches and fortifications. The park management have recently published seven tailored paths that wind right along the former Gothic line. Many vestiges of the German fortified barrier, which for about seven months divided Italy into two, are still visible. Finding them will take you on a journey through history.
You can also decide to visit Fabiano di Seravezza, in the Versilia hinterland, 400 mt above sea level. Here you can visit the archaeological and historic quarries with the medieval parish church of St Martino alla Cappella. Mining has ancient origins in these sites, which were frequented by the greatest sculptors, artists and architects of the Italian Renaissance.
The Apuan Alps regional park let you can take a break and rest in one of the many certified lodgings. High-altitude shelters, restaurants, inns and holiday farms offer pristine hospitality and genuine food and, in most cases, organic and local products. All you need now is to start your trip!
