Discover Pianosinatico

Pianosinatico can be explored via a variety of trails: some lead to traces of the front line and bunker remains, while others connect the village with neighboring places or take in the landscape around Cappel d'Orlando. There is also a local legend and the history of a post station. Information on distance, elevation gain, and duration offers concrete points of comparison for planning your excursions.

Trails with different points of interest

The Percorso Giallo is about 1.5 km long, with an elevation gain of 150 m. It leads to bunker remains and the reconstructed “La Buca” bunker. At about 1 km, the Percorso Verde, also called “Via del partigiano,” is listed as shorter and has no elevation gain. Wooden sculptures and the “Albero della Pace” are among its features. These two trails therefore differ both in their stated lengths and elevation profiles, and lead to different points of interest.

The Percorso Azzurro “Via della 10° Mountain Division” is about 4 km long, has an elevation gain of 220 m, and includes exposed sections. It connects Pianosinatico with Pian degli Ontani. The Percorso Blu “Via delle Pattuglie” is about 3.5 km long, with an elevation gain of 150 m; it runs from Pianosinatico via Fontana Vaccaia to Abetone. The longer loop, the approximately 16 km Percorso Arancione “Via della Germanica Squadriglia,” passes through Pianosinatico, Rivoreta, Bicchiere, and Le Regine. Trail conditions may change, so check them before setting out.

Traces of the front line and local history

“4 Passi a Pianosinatico sulla Linea Gotica Toscana” is a themed trail through the village. It focuses on wartime anecdotes and points of interest, as well as the period when the front line was in Pianosinatico. Together with the bunker remains and the reconstructed “La Buca,” it brings the wartime period into focus from different angles: through specific places along a trail and through a themed route across the village.

The former post station offers a different historical perspective. In the second half of the 18th century, Pianosinatico was home to one of four post stations with an inn in the Pistoia area. It served as a temporary stop for couriers, private carriages, and stagecoaches. People, goods, and correspondence were transported there; horses were changed, and passengers were picked up and dropped off. These functions show how varied such a stop was in the travel and transport system of the time.

Landscape around Cappel d'Orlando

The easy, red-and-blue-marked Itinerario del Cappel d'Orlando is a mixed-terrain route and also the old connecting road between Pianosinatico and Pian degli Ontani. The round trip is about 7 km long, with an ascent of 70 m, and takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. The estimated duration complements the distance and ascent information, providing a concrete time reference for your planning.

Along the old connecting road, orchids and snowdrops can be seen at the roadside in season. A narrow ridge trail leads to the summit of Cappel d'Orlando after several ascents and descents. There is a viewpoint at the top, overlooking the valleys of the Lima and Sestaione. The distance, estimated duration, and viewpoint give this trail a different character from the shorter routes featuring bunker remains, sculptures, or named connections.

A beech tree called “Albero della Fortuna” is also associated with a trail. According to local legend, walking through the opening in its trunk brings a lifetime of good luck. The story complements the nature and viewpoints with local folklore.

Location on the Statale 12

Pianosinatico is located on the Statale 12 dell’Abetone e del Brennero, the state highway to Abetone and the Brenner Pass. Along with its varied trails and historic post station, this location on the highway offers another point of reference for understanding the village’s setting. Whether you are interested in the short trail to the bunker remains, the themed route through the village, or the longer loop, the destinations described differ in subject, route, and the available information on distance and elevation profile.

Discover more destinations: Campo Tizzoro, Marliana, Chiesina Uzzanese, Pracchia, Pistoia, San Marcello Pistoiese, Serravalle Pistoiese, Abetone.

Back to the main travel overview: Pistoia.