Via Ghibellina connects Florence with the Sanctuary of La Verna, the aim of the itinerary, through Bibbiena and the Santa Maria del Sasso, a total distance of 80 km about. A path that allow you to visit beautiful landscapes and villages of Tuscany.
The route is totally safe and traced on paths, country roads and paved roads with high viability.
Some routes are paved and offer the thrill of walking on an ancient street with an important story. different restorations over time with the overlapping of different paths from different eras. Along this Way we collected some "fragments of history" that give the traveler the excitement to come back with the mind to the past. These fragments bring us to the facts of the past, to the people who lived here and also to travelers who have passed through.
It starts from Florence to arrive after 13 km to the Old Spedate Bigallo where pilgrims once a time took refuge . Continue toward Montecucco, along picturesque paved, and descend to the ruins of the Monastery of Corsignano, now known as Monasteraccio. before Rignano sull'Arno there is the site of Castelluccio di Rignano and the beautiful Pieve di San Leonino.
In Rignano existed since 1341 a retreat dedicated to St. Jacopo and St. Filippo that worked until the eighteenth century, ensuring "fire, light and sleep". Climbing towards Vallombrosa meets St. Peter Pieve a Pitiana located on the Via Cassia Vetus.
Then we can reach the Abbey of Vallombrosa with a climb of about 6 km. Today the Abbey is also a refuge for pilgrims and travelers. Climb to the Old Cross, along the paved forest road where the Roman road cames from Strumi and Via Florentia for who came from Castel-Leone (Montemignaio) and descended toward Pontassieve. The main route goes down along the creek towards Scheggia Molino Pieve, leaving the asphalt road after a few dozen meters from the Old Cross.
The journey continues, crossing the creek Pistiano on a gorgeous medieval bridge, accessible only on foot,and then continues through an incredible beauty paved. Reach Pagliericcio where you can visit the Grifoni's Mill moved by the waters of the Torrente Solano in the "valley of mills", still in use by Grifoni brothers with love and dedication continue the work of their ancestors.
From Pagliericcio continue on the provincial road until Strada in Casentino dominated by St. Nicholas Conti Guidi Castle. The story tells that the inhabitants, after a long siege by commander were involved in a slaughter.
The main route now goes to Castel San Niccolo and then comes down to Strumi, along a scenic route. The summer variant, which will cross the Solano river and continues towards the Parish Church of San Martino in Vado, the term that heralds our need to cross the Solano with the ford (Vado), which has the air of be the ford of the Via Romana Maior, from Arezzo and live in Mugello. You get to Strumi, full of charm for the memory of the powerful Abbey of San Fedele who was obliged to give food to 10 pilgrims that were passing there, another witness of the path attendance.
Poppi is fast to welcome us with its medieval charm. Continue to Bibbiena along a paved road with no traffic on the left bank. The path reaches Bibbiena and then the Santa Maria del Sasso. The location field is reached and, passing through fields, climb for 6 km up to the Sanctuary of La Verna, received by the Franciscan brotherhood.
Details
The rate includes
4 nights in agriturismo/b&b/hotels (Rignano sull'Arno, Vallombrosa/La Pieve Mulino, Poppi/Bibbiena, La Verna)
Sistemazione in a double room \" Breakfast included
4 dinners
Medical and baggage insurance
The rate does not include
Transport from/to the airport or station, moves to the structure, transport for luggages, meals not included, gratuity, extras and every kind of not expressed in "The rate includes".
Cancellation insurance (optional), price on request.
notes
Able to add or value if required: - Additional nights in some places of the route; - Transfer service to reach every structure; - Transfer service for luggage; - Packed Lunch; - hiking guide for every stop during the route.