Biodiversity hike Hiking in Tuscany – Monsummano Alto

Biodiversity hike in Monsummano Alto is the hill close to Monsummano Terme town. It is a hot spot of biodiversity and a middle age village almost completely abandoned. The tour will rise the hill to the very top and it needs good legs and no heart problem. It’s not a difficult trail, but the rising part of the way is a bit hart to do.

It’s an interesting tour due to the particular flora that grow here, like many wild orchids (that flowers between March and April), and due to the ruins of Middle Age walls and towers.

How we usually manage the day of the Biodiversity hike

We suggest to organize the group in order to be ready for the hiking in the start point at 9-10.00. For this hiking the group could chooses whether the packed lunch or lunch at restaurant. The start point is in Monsummano Terme where many good restaurant can serve lunch with typical food and drink. On the other hand the packed lunch is more versatile and could be eat during the trail.

The trail usually need about 3 hours to be completed.

How is the trail

The trail is almost completely on dirty road, with gravel and stones. We start rising the hill surrounded by Mediterranean scrub and woodlands. Ancient castles, farms and woodland will enrich the landscape the group will find out. The group will rise the hill on foot and will reach the very top. On the top there is the ancient abandoned village and its ruins. Here the group con eat the lunch. The group will descent the hill again in order to come back.

The trail needs hiking boots, personal water and to be in good physical shape.

What to do after the hiking

After the trail is very interesting to visit the Museum of the Territory in Monsummano Terme or to go to visit the Fucecchio marshes.