Walks on the mountain where the Arno is born

Falterona, a mountain of great historical importance very popular with trekking lovers.

WHERE TO EAT IN THE NATIONAL PARK

From Montalto to the source of the Arno and Lake of the Idols passing through the Bocca Pecorina Pass.

A hike that leads to the tops of the Falco and Falterona mountains, to the Idols Lake, to Capo d’Arno, to the Black Gorga.

From Passo alla Calla to Poggio Scali on the GEA 00 route of the Apennine crinal

From Calla Pass to the Burraia meadows, on Monte Gabrendo and Monte Falco walking on the GEA 00 path of the Apennine ridge

Route from Papiano to the Oia Valley passing through the centuries-old chestnut groves of Montalto

Monaco Guido accompanies us on ancient routes characterized by beautiful nature and a particularly interesting history

In ancient times the Falterona mountain was considered sacred. Perhaps due to its enormous size that closes the Casentino to the north so as to seem like a divinity that protects the valley. Furthermore, at 1380 meters above sea level, there was a basin called “della Ciliegeta” where there was a small lake. This reservoir, now known as the “Lake of the Idols”, was considered sacred by the Etruscans because it seems that its waters possessed particular beneficial properties. Thus, those who passed through this area cast their own idol there as a vow to the deities. For this reason the present name after the discovery of thousands of these finds.
Not far from this lake there is another place of great importance: Capo d’Arno. At the time of the Etruscans it was even thought that the waters of this source were the sacred ones of the nearby Ciliegeta Lake. This gave even more importance to the river mentioned by Dante in the Divine Comedy.
Over the centuries these fascinating beliefs have disappeared but the Falterona has acquired other important values. The economic one, with the enormous amount of wood it has supplied to the surrounding communities, and, in recent years, that of ecological tourism. Many go to the mountains to try their hand at trekking routes. To practice this healthy discipline, people come from Mugello, Romagna, Florence, Emilia.
The walks that the mountain offers are many. Those that touch the highest points of the massif (the top of Monte Falterona, 1654 meters, and the top of Monte Falco, 1658 meters) are the most popular. The source of the Arno and the Lake of Idols are also very popular.

FROM MONTALTO TO THE SOURCE OF THE ARNO AND TO THE LAKE OF IDOLS

TO THE BLACK GORGA FROM FALTERONA OR FROM IDOLS LAKE AND CAPO D'ARNO

ON THE TOP OF MONTE FALCO AND MONTE FALTERONA. CAPO D’ARNO

ON THE APENNINE CRINAL FROM PASSO ALLA CALLA TO POGGIO SCALI

ON THE APPENNINE CRINAL FROM PASSO DELLA CALLA TO MONTE FALCO

AMONG THE CHESTNUTS OF MONTALTO TOWARDS THE OIA VALLEY

WALKING IN NATURE AND HISTORY ACCOMPANIED BY THE MONK GUIDO