Hidden among the dense woods of the Pratomagno at around a thousand metres, Vallombrosa is one of the most evocative destinations in the Florentine mountains. It is a short trip from the guesthouse — ideal for a half-day or full-day outing combining art, spirituality and nature.
The Abbey
Founded in the 11th century by St John Gualbert, Vallombrosa Abbey is striking for its austere appearance, with high walls and a lookout tower. Inside it holds a church rich in fine paintings and a museum. It is the spiritual heart of the forest that bears its name.
The forest and its trails
A Biogenetic Nature Reserve since 1977, the Vallombrosa forest stretches over twelve hundred hectares and is composed mainly of firs planted by the monks over the centuries. The trails are well marked and suited to every level.
The Circuit of the Chapels is the most classic and accessible route, touching the 17th-century chapels linked to the hermitages of St John Gualbert. The Arboretum Trail crosses the oldest parts of the forest up to the Botanical Garden. For fitter walkers, the path to the Croce di Pratomagno reaches the summit at over fifteen hundred metres, with views that on clear days reach the sea.
In summer the forest hosts weekly themed excursions, including the loop dedicated to the tallest trees in Italy. It is also one of the finest places for forest therapy — the "forest bathing" the Ecomuseum of the Florentine Mountains promotes across the territory.
Secchieta and the Pratomagno ridge
From Vallombrosa and Saltino it is a short climb to Monte Secchieta, at 1,449 metres on the Pratomagno ridge: one of the finest panoramic balconies in the Florentine mountains, with a 360° view stretching from the Valdarno to the Casentino Forests. At the top stand a mountain hut and the Monument to the Resistance, the starting point for the ridge path to the Croce di Pratomagno.
From the guesthouse: A short drive from the guesthouse, up towards the Consuma Pass and Saltino.