Goraiolo: Fir Forest, Hiking and Cycling

Goraiolo can be explored through its road connections, hiking trails and links to cycling. The Strada della Bugia runs through the village, bus route 855 stops here, and hiking routes explore the surrounding area. There are also specific historical race passages. For your travel planning, it is worth keeping these connections distinct: the road and forest section, trails to ruins and across a ridge, and individual races each offer different points of reference.

Location and Getting There

Goraiolo is located at a crossroads leading towards the villages of Alto Pesciatino and the Apennine peaks. You reach Goraiolo after passing the medieval village of Marliana. Its more recent tourist development is attributed to its favourable location.

Goraiolo is a stop on bus route 855. The route connects Montecatini Terme, Marliana, Panicagliora, Avaglio and Serra. The timetable is valid from 4 June 2026; check current departure times before travelling. If you are planning to travel by bus, include the service for your travel date in your journey planning.

Strada della Bugia and Fir Forests

The Strada della Bugia runs through Goraiolo and then continues along the SP3bis. The section near Goraiolo passes through dense fir forests. The named route thus links a specific passage through the village with a described stretch of landscape. It offers a different point of reference for travel planning than the hiking trails, which have their own routes and destinations.

Hiking to Ruins and Across the Ridge

Near Goraiolo, the La Pievaccia–Serra hiking route starts in Panicagliora and continues towards Goraiolo–Pescia. In less than two kilometres, it leads to the ruins of the parish church of S. Andrea di Furfalo, also known as La Pievaccia. The name La Pievaccia is thus used both in the route name and for the ruins. Those interested in the cultural landscape will find a specific point along the route here.

Another circular hiking route passes through Casore del Monte, Femminamorta, Panicagliora, Goraiolo, Marliana and Nievole. It reaches Goraiolo along a ridge and offers views of the mountains of the province of Pistoia. The two hiking routes have different focuses: La Pievaccia–Serra features the ruins along the route, while the circular hike centres on the ridge and mountain views. Check trail conditions before setting out.

Cycle Races and Route Details

On 15 August 2023, the Firenze–Viareggio road race passed through Goraiolo. At the 15th edition of the Gran Fondo Edita Pucinskaite in 2025, the Cronoscalata Marliana–Goraiolo was one of three timed sections. This section was 5.0 kilometres long and had an elevation gain of 282 metres; both figures refer to the 2025 edition's route.

The race information provides two different kinds of reference: for Firenze–Viareggio, the specific route through Goraiolo is named; for the Cronoscalata, the length and elevation gain are also given. This makes it possible to distinguish the historical passage of a road race from the measured time-trial section, without applying the data for one route to the other.

Plan Your Stay

First decide which focus suits your travel plans. If you would like to arrive by bus, check the departures for your travel date. Also compare the location details of the specific hotel offers with your plans.

Discover more destinations: Avaglio, Momigno, Montagnana, Rovaci

For the wider travel overview: Marliana.