The complex of the Pisan Mountains forms a natural and protective barrier just a few kilometres north of Pisa. It is one of the most ancient mountain formations in Italy, dating back to the Pliocene period, when most of the peninsula was still covered by water. The wealth of these woods has always attracted many populations (Apuan, Etruscan, Ligurian, Roman) and even in the Middle Ages enjoyed great fame for its numerous religious settlements. It is still possible today to find much evidence of the past amongst the generous nature of these mountains.
Altre immagini
Località di partenza:
Regione Toscana, Provincia di Pisa, San Giuliano Terme
tourist map and path map -Monti pisani e colline livornesi- 1:25,000 ed. Multigraphic
Note:
Departure and arrival place: San Giuliano Terme, at the end of the Via
Niccolini, near state highway no.12 between Pisa and Lucca. The
itinerary starts just under the amphitheatre.
Coming from the centre of San Giuliano, at the end of via Piccolini, we
keep to the left and enter the area under the amphitheatre. We cross
the lovely park also containing modern sculptures, and at the exit turn
right towards the state highway which we do not reach. We pass a ruined
building and continue across an old stone bridge whose parapet we can
see with signs indicating the direction. After just a short climb we
arrive at a restaurant and a group of houses that we pass before taking
a dirt track. We arrive immediately at a bend to the right which we
take, and keep on in the same direction at the next detour near a gate.
Now we go straight on along a rocky section. The next junction is just
before a solitary pine tree that stands out on the slopes of the hill.
When we arrive at this point we go north and continue climbing for
another twenty minutes before we reach the
famous Dante Pass, mentioned by the poet in the 33rd canto of the
“Inferno” in his description of the infinite quarrels that
animated the opposing municipalities of Pisa and Lucca. The place
enjoys an extensive view, sweeping from the countryside of San Giuliano
below as far as the town of Pisa and the Tyrrhenian coast and, on more
limpid days, the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago. If we look towards
the sea, to our left we can see the slopes of a mountain that climb
steeply to its peak. Following the signpost along the way we commence
our climb up the hill. This is Mount San Giuliano. The climb isn’t very
long but it is quite steep. Accompanied during our climb by various
notices (since this is a protected area), we reach the summit of the
mountain and descend from the opposite side. The climb and descent take
half an hour at the most. When we reach the opposite slope we take a
path that goes down into an extensive rocky area. From here we head
towards the heart of the green San Giuliano valley which we reach after
two hairpin bends and passing in front of the entrance to a house. We
continue until we pass a wooden gate that leads us to the area, where
on the way up, we found a restaurant and some houses. From here we can
return to our departure point following the route we took on our way
up, in the opposite direction.
This
itinerary is part of a collection that the magazine “Trekking”,
together with the APT (Provincial Tourist Authority) of the Tuscan
Coast, has dedicated to the most beautiful trekking routes in this
area. A series of itineraries that will help you discover lovely places
and will introduce you to a district that has great environmental and
cultural appeal.
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