Tuscany

We chose Montecatini Terme because of the beauty of Tuscany, the spa possibilities, the friendliness of this charming city and its inhabitants and to relax and enjoy a beautiful four-day walk!

Welcome to our 1st lustrum, the fifth edition of the Four Days Marches of Italy-Tuscany from 29 September to 2 October 2023.

Montecatini Terme can proudly call itself one of the largest spas in Italy. At the beginning of the 20th century, the town continued to grow and several spa & relax hotels were added. The ideal place for wellness and sports. Restaurants, theaters, nightclubs and a casino had already been built. Montecatini has already been visited by many Italian celebrities. With our fourday walking event we are happy to let you enjoy all the beauty that Tuscany has to offer.

We have set out routes for walks of 15 km or 25 km per day. The routes are beautiful and there is walking over slightly slanted paths.

There are many good accommodation options in Montecatini that we are happy to offer through our partner Promozione Alberghi Montecatini Terme. We work closely with the local government and various volunteers; you support us if you not only book your participation in our walkingevent with us but also arrange your hotel accommodation and / or transfer(s) through us. Or book your entire trip through the selected travel company OAD, Apollo reizen-Jolanda or 60plusendus.

Lets Walk!

Start and finish location (The Walking Village) on all days is in the old Terme, Stabilimento Termale Tamerici, Viale dei Salici 69/ Viale delle Palme, 51106 Montecatini-Terme (located in the big city park, right in the center of Montecatini Terme).

Here you can also pick up your starting ticket on Thursday 28 September 2023 between 15:00 and 18:00 hours. If that does not work, there is still a possibility to do this on Friday morning 29 September between 07.30 and 08.00 hours.

ROUTES

Day 1, Friday 29 September 2023

Pistoia – Montale Agliana – Il Cammino de San Jacopo (the day of little Florence)

Start time 08.15 am for both distances.

Today together with the train to Pistoia (15km) and Montale-Agliana (25km). Train ticket(s) are included. A beautiful walking route partly over the pilgrimage route Il Cammino di San Jacopo to Montecatini. All hikers go to Serrevale Pistoise and then back by train to Montecatini CENTRO and from there to The Walking Village.

In Tuscany along the old Via Cassia, Il Cammino di San Jacopo winds. A route through authentic and extraordinary areas that cross the cities of Florence, Prato, Pistoia, Pescia and Lucca. This Camino is part of a long journey through the heart of Europe to Santiago de Compostela. Like most cities in this area, it flourished during the Middle Ages thanks to its location between the city-state powers of Florence and Pisa.

Pistoia: when you think of Tuscany, you usually think of the beautiful nature and famous cities such as Florence and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. But there is much more to discover in this beautiful region. This beautiful city was founded by the Romans (and was then called Pistorium) and was the cultural capital of Italy in 2017. Pistoia is not called Little Florence for nothing. There is a lot to see and experience here!

Day 2, Saturday 30 September 2023

Valdinievole – Montecatinin Alto – Montecatini Terme (the natural beauty of Tuscany)

Start time 09.30 for both distances

Today the route leads for the 25 km walkers, and partly for the 15 km walkers, through the picturesque region of Valdinievole, to the higher Montecatini Alto (300 meters).
This beautiful village is definitely worth a visit because of the beautiful view. Through small cobbled streets you reach the Piazza Guiseppe Giusti with its small restaurants and cozy terraces. Take a closer look at this picturesque village and enjoy lunch!

Day 3, Sunday 1 October 2023

Altopascio – Montecarlo San Salvatore – Collodi – Pescia (the day of wine and Pinocchio)

Start time 08.00 am for both distances.

Together with the train (train ticket included) to Altopascio (25 km) and Montecarlo San Salvatore (15 km) and via the beautiful high Montecarlo (162 meters) and the village of Collodi walk back on the Pinocchio Fairytale-path to the station of Pescia. Then by train to Montecatini CENTRO station and from there to The Walking Village.

Altopascio is a town along the Via Francigena and is known to every pilgrim. It is a small town known as the `breadtown` because it has managed to maintain its traditional grain production over the centuries. The Via Francigena is the oldest pilgrimage route to Rome from Canterbury, through France, Switzerland, the Po Valley and Tuscany.
Montecarlo: this small Tuscan hill town was founded in 1333 by the Roman Emperor Charles V and was named after him by its inhabitants; Monte Carlo means ‘Hill of Charlemagne’. Here you can enjoy the tranquility in a beautiful setting. Montecarlo is best known for its wines, but also for the old paths from 1500 AD, with worn cart tracks. It is part of Variante Via Francigena, the pilgrimage route to Rome.
Collodi is known for its Villa Garzoni, built on a cliff and with an imposing large garden. Collodi is probably even better known as the home of Carlo Collodi, the author of the internationally renowned fairy tale ‘Pinocchio’.
Pescia: this city used to live mainly from the paper industry and printing and nowadays gets most of its income from the flower trade and tourism. The extended de Medici family has left its mark on this city. Thanks to this family, Pescia became an episcopal city.

Day 4, Monday, October 2, 2023

Borgo a Buggiano – Castello a Buggiano and Cole di Buggiano – Cozille/Massa (the day of the beautiful views)

Start time 09.15 am for both distances.

Today for both the 15 km and for the 25 km walkers, on the way to Borgo a Buggiano, then to Castello a Buggiano and Cole di Buggiano. Here the roads separate for a while, the 15 km walkers continue to Massa and back to Montecatini Terme; the 25 km walkers still walk via a (steeply rising) beautiful nature trail to Cozille (233 meters) and then also arrive in Massa, then join the route of the 15 km and then also return to Montecatini-Terme.

Borgo a Buggiano is very attractive because of the tranquility that prevails within the old walls. The village is a jewel of medieval architecture and urbanism, a picturesque town, very different from most villages in Tuscany.
Cozzile and Massa e Cozzille: here people live in peace, the silence is audible here.

Back to the finish and the final station of this beautiful four-day walk. Time for a party at The Walking Village!