Naturalistic Trail

The Pistoia Mountains region is a very interesting environmental asset: a living treasure, ever changing, with an exciting multi-faceted appeal.

This nature trail will lead you to discover the variety and beauty of the plant and animal world, to understand the extraordinary diversity that can be found in our Apennines.

It is a route to discover the botanical and forestry jewels of the Pistoia Mountains region, with findings that testify to the natural history and human presence in the area.

Botanical Forest Garden in Abetone

Upper Sestaione Valley

This wonderful mountain garden hosts botanical and forestry species typical of the Upper Pistoia Apennines region: coloured mountain flowers, carnivore and medicinal plants, majestic trees, to be admired accompanied by the gentle murmuring of the Sestaione stream.

Due to the low temperatures and specific micro-climate of the area, this Botanical Garden also includes several Alpine species which have established, in this Apennine section, their southernmost growing limit; an example of this is the red fir (Picea abies), a relic of the last glaciation, which continues to reproduce spontaneously in the nearby Riserva di Campolino.

Alongside real-life collections you have the Teaching Hub in Fontana Vaccaia, where you can gain insight into the plant heritage of the Pistoia Mountains area.

The Botanical Forest Garden in Abetone is managed by the Unione Comuni Appennino Pistoiese (Union of Municipalities of the Pistoia Apennines) and by the Associazione Ecomuseo della Montagna Pistoiese, member of the Pistoia Mountains Museum System.

OPENING HOURS 2024
From 25th June to 8th September
: from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 3.00 to 6.00 p.m.
Guided visits at: 9.30, 10.30, 11.30 a.m.; 3.00, 4.00 and 5.00 p.m.

To find out more, download – free of charge – the book “Orti Botanici. Eccellenze italiane” (“Italian Excellence in Botanical Gardens”) edited by Marina Clauser e Pietro Pavone.

MuNAP - Natural History and Archaeological Museum of the Pistoia Apennine

GAVINANA - Via Orange

Refurbished in 2018, this museum leads you to discover natural history and human presence in the Pistoia Apennine region: animals, rocks, minerals and fossils, for a fascinating journey towards the discovery of our territory.

A king of the forest will be there to welcome you; a splendid specimen of Apennine grey wolf (Canis lupus italicus), who used to live in our Pistoia Mountains area.

Then there is an exciting surprise at the end of your visit: an imposing cave bear skeleton, a unique specimen, dating to 20,000 years ago.

MUNAP is managed by the Gruppo Naturalistico Appennino Pistoiese, member of the Pistoia Mountains Museum System.

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.

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