Itineraries
Itineraries in the Nature Reserve
Two trails leave from the Visitor Center. Trail A (2.3 km; 45 min.) gives the opportunity to reach the bend of Bandella and to go ahead, across woods and agricultural areas, towards the Locality Pian di Chena. Trail B (4 km; 1.15 h) crosses Ascione Valley and, following panoramic hilly ridges, runs along the bend of Bandella up to the observation huts. From Pian di Chena, you can reach the beginning of a third itinerary, under construction (Trail C; 2 km; 45 min.): running along stream Ascione until you meet the river Arno, it connects with Trail A.
In loc. "Acqua Borra", at the westernmost edge of the Nature Reserve, there are - according to where you are headed for - the departure and arrival point of the trail Grande Escursione dell'Arno (GERDA) that, touching Bandella and Ponte Romito, leads to Ponte a Buriano e Penna Nature Reserve. The GERDA crosses all the most interesting points and environments you can find on this side of the river and the lake, including spectacular places like the steepest walls dug by the waters over the millennia. The stretch of GERDA involving the Nature Reserve is 7.8 km long and requires a walking time of 3 hours.
The structures you will find along the way include a botanic garden in Bandella, preserving the main botanic species it is possible to find in this area, and the Green Classroom in Castiglioncello, ideal places for school groups if they want to deal with issues like the safeguard of biodiversity and the conservation of nature.
The access to the observation huts, the botanic garden, and the Green Classroom in Castiglioncello is possible only during guided visits.
