Pian Di Novello: Forest Trails, Protected Areas and Snowshoe Routes

Nature Experiences Around Pian di Novello

Pian di Novello is a destination for different forms of experiencing nature: both an easy circular trail through the beech forest and the snowshoe circuit to Monte Poggione begin here. The landscape is complemented by picnic areas, protected areas, nature interpretation facilities and a botanical garden with recreated mountain habitats. This allows you to spend your days exploring longer trails, special viewpoints and cultural sites in nature.

Itinerario della Faggeta: Circular Trail and Mountain Bike Route

The “Itinerario della Faggeta” begins at Piazzale di Piandinovello and is an easy 15-kilometre circular trail along a forest road. After approximately 3 kilometres, hikers reach Rifugio Lippi (Lagacciolo). There, they can refill their water at a fresh spring and take a break. The route runs entirely through a beech forest. Due to its numerous ascents and descents, it is also considered particularly suitable for mountain biking. The same route therefore offers a clear distinction between an easy circular trail on a forest road and terrain whose changes in elevation are also relevant for mountain biking.

Monte Poggione and the Landscape Highlights

The “Ciaspolata CAI – Anello di Pian di Novello” starts in Pian di Novello and is suitable for snowshoe hikes. The circular route leads to Monte Poggione, which, at 1,754 metres, is the highest point on the route. The specific route therefore has a different focus from the “Itinerario della Faggeta”: instead of a 15-kilometre forest-road circuit, the emphasis is on a snowshoe route with a clearly named summit destination.

Prato Bellincioni is one of the distinctive landscape highlights. The natural terrace serves as a picnic area and has a table, benches and a fire pit. From there, the view extends over almost 360 degrees. This place therefore combines an explicitly mentioned opportunity to take a break with a particularly wide landscape view, without requiring the assumption of an additional viewpoint.

Protected Areas, Environmental Education and Botanical Trails

The Riserva Naturale Biogenetica Piano degli Ontani includes part of the special protection area IT5130004 “Pian degli Ontani” and lies entirely within the larger special protection area IT5130001 “Alta Valle Sestaione”. The two protected-area designations show that the natural environment is integrated into different categories of protected areas. The “Fior di Pietra” visitor centre also has a classroom used for environmental education events and screenings of nature documentaries.

Another focus is the Orto Botanico Forestale dell’Abetone. There, a guided trail leads from the visitor centre through recreated mountain habitats. Visitors can see forest, heathland with blueberries, rocky areas, a wetland, a small bog and a small lake. The sequence makes it possible to experience different landscape forms within a single botanical trail.

Art in Nature and Getting There from Pistoia

Artistic elements are also part of the natural environment. The Riserva Naturale Biogenetica Piano degli Ontani includes the art area “A tempo di gioco nell’orto di Giovannino”, where art is used to bring children closer to nature. The installation “Un teatro per Beatrice” provides a stage for performances, poetry readings and sketches. Nature interpretation, art and landscape therefore appear here as distinct but interconnected aspects of a visit.

If you are travelling from Pistoia, access to the Riserva Naturale Biogenetica Piano degli Ontani initially follows the SR 66 and SS 12 to the village of Casotti di Cutigliano. There, turn onto the SP 20 towards Pian Ontani and Pian di Novello. For further destination options, you can also include Piano Degli Ontani.

For the broader travel overview: Cutigliano.