September turns its back on the heat of August as the cool morning air invites you to walk in the woods and along nature trails in search of the mild sunshine or to wander relaxedly through towns and villages. So let’s discover together 3 itineraries in and around Reggello, in the countryside not far from Florence.
Contents
1.
The Balze on foot
2.
The Setteponti Parish Churches
3.
Trekking in Vallombrosa
1.
The Balze on foot
The Balze del Valdarno - Credit: Ufficio Info Turistiche Reggello
Late summer is the ideal time to discover the Balze Natural Protected Area, when temperatures drop and the light hits the sharp forms of these natural canyons, bringing out their typical yellow ochre color. To discover the most picturesque areas and viewpoints, a trekking excursion on one of the many trails in the Valdarno Superiore, like those found in Reggello, is recommended.
1.
The Setteponti Parish Churches
The Sant’Agata Church in Arfoli - Credit: Ufficio Info Turistiche Reggello
History passes quickly along the Setteponti route. The centuries have transformed its course but the memory remains vivid in the Romanesque Parish Churches. With their majesty, they seem to have been silently observing for centuries innumerable pilgrims, wayfarers, walkers and curious passersby. At your own pace, in your own time and with your own prayers, the Parish Churches welcome all. In the Reggello area, there are three churches that overlook what was the ancient Cassia Vetus: the Pieve di San Pietro in Pitiana, the Sant’Agata Church in Arfoli and the Pieve di San Pietro in Cascia, whose premises also house the Museum of Sacred Art dedicated to the painter Masaccio.
The Experimental Arboreta of Vallombrosa - Credit: Ufficio Info Turistiche Reggello
The sun and the white fir trees stretching toward the sky have become the symbol of the Vallombrosa Biogenetic Nature Reserve. But the forest is also rich in Douglas firs, beeches, spruces ... and numerous remnants that testify to the close and centuries-old bond between nature and man that render this a special place for history and biodiversity. Those who love trekking shouldn’t miss the The Giants’ Ring where the tallest trees in Italy soar, the Experimental Arboreta with guided tours by the Carabinieri Command for Biodiversity in Vallombrosa and other hiking routes such as that leading to An Open-Air Museum.
