Poggio Alla Croce: Walking Routes, Views and History

Walking routes, viewpoints and historic memorial sites shape the hiking options in Poggio Alla Croce. The routes vary considerably: alongside a short, easy loop, there are routes covering longer distances, with views across different landscapes and connections to medieval buildings or to the history of the 20th century. When planning, it is therefore worth first choosing your preferred route length, scenery and historical focus.

Walking Routes by Length and Difficulty

The Anello Poggio Citerna starts and ends in Poggio Alla Croce. It is 2.3 kilometres long, rated easy and takes about an hour. The Anello San Polo also starts and ends in the village, but covers 21 kilometres and is rated moderate. The two routes therefore differ in both distance and difficulty rating. This information can help you choose a route that suits your preferred length and level of challenge. Trail conditions and markings can change; check both before setting out.

The Anello San Polo also includes a historic destination: the route leads to the Pieve di San Miniato a Rubbiana, whose origins date back to 1077. If you are interested in historic buildings, you can base your choice of route on a specific site. The Anello Celle passes other cultural sites: via CAI Trail No. 23, the route reaches Castello di Celle and passes Badia Montescalari. The abbey is Vallombrosan and dates from the first decades of the 11th century. San Polo therefore leads to the Pieve, while the castle and abbey are the named historic destinations on the Celle route.

Chestnut Forests, Views and Memorial Sites

The Anello Pian d’Albero passes through chestnut forests and offers views of the upper Valdarno and Pratomagno from a viewing terrace. Nature and far-reaching views meet a specific historic memorial site here: at Pian d’Albero, the route passes a memorial stone commemorating a Nazi-Fascist massacre on 20 June 1944, in which 37 people lost their lives. If you would like to combine scenery and history on the same route, both are clearly identified themes here. The Anello Poggio alla Croce – Monte Scalari also starts and ends in Poggio Alla Croce. Its views take in the Valdarno and Chianti, focusing on different named landscapes.

The Sentiero della Memoria adds another historical focus. It starts in Poggio alla Croce and traces the history of the Sinigaglia Brigade and the Pian d’Albero massacre. Its focus is historical storytelling; on the Anello Pian d’Albero, by contrast, a memorial stone is named as a stop along the route. You can therefore choose between a route centred on history and a loop that passes a specific memorial site.

The Anello Poggio Citerna also has a historical connection: at Poggio Citerna, it passes the visible ruins of a 13th-century convent for women. How clearly the remains can be seen may vary depending on the vegetation. Together with its short distance and easy rating, this gives the loop a different profile from the 21-kilometre Anello San Polo. The historic site along the way complements the viewpoints and buildings that distinguish the other routes.

If you are looking for a hotel in Poggio Alla Croce, your planned hike can be a useful starting point for planning your trip. Consider whether you would prefer to focus on a short loop, a longer route, views or historical themes. The different routes offer a range of distinct focuses, without requiring you to combine all the destinations into a single hike.

For the wider travel overview: Incisa In Val D'arno.