Ice Trail

The Ice Trail covers the history of natural ice production, which developed in the Pistoia Mountains region between the end of the eighteenth century and the early 1900s, its main axis being located in the Reno Valley.

This route has been part of the Ecomuseo since its inauguration in 1988.

Madonnina Icehouse

via Modenese SS 66 - Le Piastre

The Madonnina Icehouse tells about the ingenious work of the ice-maker.
This unique structure, shaped as a cone trunk and with a straw roofing, was used to store and keep natural ice, produced using water from the Reno River, a system of bridles, gaps, artificial canals and the bitter winter cold.

OPENING HOURS 2024
From 21st June to 8th September
: from Friday to Sunday and Thursday 15th August, from 3.30 to 6.30 p.m.
Meet the guide at the Madonnina Icehouse.

Closed in case of bad weather.

For visits during extraordinary opening hours, please call the number +39 0573 638025.

Ice Teaching Hub

via della Noce - Pracchia

It is currently closed and under renovation.

It includes photographic and audio-visual documentation about this proto-industrial activity. It also features original tools and two architectural models: one of them reproduces the Madonnina section and the other one of the first artificial ice factory.

Ecomuseum trekking – Icehouse Pathway

via Modenese SS 66 - Le Piastre

Access is prohibited at all times in case of a weather alert.
We urge people to exercise caution and not to stop near the area marked by the warning sign.

Completed using PSR 2007-2013 - measure 227 funding, the route is about 9 km, connecting Le Piastre to Pontepetri.
Signposted in two languages, the route allows for discovering some of the most important testimonies of ice production activities.

The trekking route can be visited independently or with a Environmental Hiking Guide.
Suitable mountain apparel is recommended.

Download the map here. Follow the route coloured in green.

Ice Trail reopened but caution advised!

The strong windstorm on Wednesday 11/22/2023 caused extensive damage along the Ice Trail: fir, beech and hornbeam plants fell, obstructing the path and making it extremely dangerous to pass. The Ecomuseum (since Saturday, 12/16/2023) has made the trail safe again. Still, we kindly ask visitors to be careful in marked areas due to the possibility of landslides or falling branches.