Palaeontologic and Panoramic Tour Around Camaiore

From Camaiore follow the signs to Casoli (403 m) a typical mountain village which was already inhabited in 984, it is perched on protrusions of Monte Matanna (1317m) and enclosed by the Setriana area on the West side and by the Ciurlaglia and Penna mountains on the East. At about 1 Km after the main square of the village, a mule track (trails 2 and 112), that descends towards the Rio Lombricese trail, begins. At a fork in the path, where a typical small chapel (marginetta) is situated, on the left, follow trail no. 2 uphill which overlooks the Grotta all`Onda valley and runs alongside a stream for a short distance; continue along this path until the bridge then turn left. A brief walk through chestnut woods, leads to a precipice, where the entrance to the cave "Grotta all`Onda", is situated, a site of great interest due to the palaeontological findings. Spectacular waterfalls gush out of a covered spring situated above the west side of the cave.

Keeping to the right of the cave the mule track now climbs the left flank of the mountain, proceed to the right, on the rear of a ridge until the Foce del Crocione or Termine pass, important as it links the valley of Camaiore to Garfagnana, one of the itineraries of the Francicena road. The pass is narrow between Monte Matanna, Monte Piglione (1233 m), the plateau of Campo d`Orzo and Monte Prana (1221 m) with spectacular views of the Apennines on one side and the Tyrrhenian Coast, stretching from La Spezia to Livorno, on the other. The gorge is cut off by the steep ascent to the Foce del Pallone until Monte Matanna and below by the backdrop from the Campo all`Orzo plateau, dominated by the imposing mass of Monte Prana`s northern side.
Follow the same trail back to return to Casoli.


Cultural and Panoramic Tour Around Camaiore

Leave Camaiore by "Porta Lombricese", pass through the district Sterpi, cross the Lombricese stream reaching, after Vado, (65 m) a narrow valley floor, a path in woodland, branching out into numerous trails into the southern Apuan Alps, dominated on one side by Monte Matanna (1317 m) and by Monte Prana (1221 m) on the other. that eventually leads to Lombrici (100 m - 10 mins.).

Continue along the paved road and visit the old Barsi iron works and the water mill at Candalla. Amid the olive groves` branches, a wonderful panorama of the Camaiore valley and its coastline comes into view, you have arrived at Metato. The village is situated on the rocky slopes of Monte Prana, between Rio dei Colli and Rio Lombricese, in the immediate surroundings there are many caves some of which were inhabited in the Neolithic and Palaeolithic Age.

From Metato take path no. 104 and go uphill on a narrow cemented road and after passing the group of houses called "Casette", cross Falcigoli (600 m), a typical farming community; climb the rear flank of Monte Ciurlaglia (850 m), a NW extension of the crest of Monte Prana, reaching the viewpoint at Alpe di Cima, where there is a magnificent panorama of the valley of Camaiore, the Tyrrhenian Coast and parts of the Apuan Mountains.

Follow the level path on the northern slope of Monte Prana reaching the wide crest of Campo all`Orzo, hills with terraces which were cultivated in the past; they are located between Monte Prana and Monte Piglione (1233 m), in the vicinity of the old San Rocco church. After a few minutes following the signs, take the descent to the "Baita Barsi al Colle della Poraglia" immersed in verdant countryside. From the San Rocco church the trail for Monte Prana begins.

After a small lake and a fountain, the ascent to the summit along a fairly easy footpath begins offering stunning panoramic views. ... from “Touring Around Versilia” (Versilia, Toscana, Italia)