Puntato is one of the last pastures of the Apuan Alps. It is hidden between the Pania della Croce, the Monte Corchia and the Freddone, and dominated by the imposing Pizzo delle Saette. It’s certainly one of the most charming and fascinating places in the Natural Park. Up until the 1940s, it was used by shepherds and was then abandoned after the end of the Second World War. There are still remains of houses left behind in the terraced crop fields, as well as time-worn mule tracks and well-trodden paths; signs of the exhausting lifestyle. Walking in the nearby woods you may encounter old stone drying-rooms used to produce chestnut flour or, if you look a little closer, you will find traces of old charcoal heaps where coal was obtained by means of the slow combustion of piles of wood covered in earth.
Over the last number of years, some of the cottages have been renovated, mostly to be used for weekends in the country.
In addition to being a place sought after by many hikers, the Puntato is one of the best starting points for anyone who wants to visit the beauty of the Apuan Park. As well as having two photovoltaic-run lodges, ‘Il Robbio’ and ‘La Quiete’, there is also the possibility of staying suspended in time in self-catering or full-board accommodation. The ‘Azienda Agricola Biologica del Puntato’ (Puntato Biological Farm) was given an award by the county of Tuscany in 2005 for setting an example of ecosustainability. Through the production of honey, chestnut flour, vegetables, medicinal plants, the presence of mules for the transport of materials, horses and even a hydro-electric plant which is under construction, Puntato has become an international centre for environmental education.
