Palagnana: Hiking on Monte Croce

Palagnana lies at the foot of 1,314-meter-high Monte Croce and is a starting point for hikes up the mountain. When planning, it is helpful to decide whether to focus on a sequence of trail sections, a notable stretch of trail, spring blossoms, or a historical connection.

Hiking on CAI Trails

CAI Trail 135 passes through Il Termine di Palagnana, also known as Colle delle Baldorie, and continues to Pioppo di Palagnana. CAI Trail 113 connects Foce del Pallone and Alto Matanna with Palagnana. The stops listed distinguish the two trail profiles: Trail 135 focuses on a pass and a destination, while Trail 113 connects place names. Il Termine di Palagnana and Colle delle Baldorie are two names for the same point and help clarify the different names in use.

CAI Trail 137 includes a short secured section. Check current trail conditions before setting out; for Trail 137, you should also consider your equipment. Another CAI route starts near Palagnana and leads to a via ferrata dedicated to Renato Salvatori. In the surrounding area, the via ferrata follows the ridge to the southern summit of Monte Forato. Its dedication and ridge route offer a different focus from trails described by the connections between named places.

There are two routes to the meadows of Monte Croce: Trail No. 108 leads from Foce delle Porchette past Le Scalette to the meadows; an old mule track runs from Palagnana past a few remote houses to meadows at the eastern foot of the mountain. An old mule track once connected Stazzema and Palagnana. This historical connection adds an earlier link between the places to the routes described here.

Monte Croce and the Spring Blossoms

Yellow daffodils, asphodels, and wild orchids bloom in spring in the meadows of Monte Croce. The blossoms make spring a distinct aspect of a visit, alongside specific trail destinations. If you would like to focus on observing nature, you can take the season into account when planning; the trail descriptions, in contrast, provide guidance based on named stops and sections. The seasonal plant life and the choice of a hiking route therefore suit different interests.

Churches and Local History

The churches in Palagnana include the Church of S. Anna. The Feast of S. Giovanni is celebrated every year on August 29. If you would like to plan your trip around the feast, check the current event dates in advance. The date is another point of reference for your planning, in addition to the hiking destinations.

The trails also have a historical connection: an old mule track once linked Stazzema and Palagnana. The Da Ge’ restaurant has a history spanning more than a century and was a historic meeting place for the shepherds of Alpe della Grotta. Together, these stories of the trails and the area reveal other aspects of Palagnana beyond its hiking routes and seasonal nature.

Discover more destinations: Farnocchia, Retignano, Terrinca, Levigliani, Culla

Back to the main travel overview: Stazzema.