Hikes of the Parco Naturale di Alpi Apuane

Best Time to Visit: April to October

Hiking the Apuan Alps

Introduction to the Geology of the Alpi Apuane

22            Procinto - Monte Nona Loop

A loop by the free-standing monolith of Procinto and around the rugged peak of Monte Nona, with optional climb to the summit of Monte Matanna.

Distance: 13.1 km (8.1 mi)

Elevation: 527 m – 1,317 m (1,729 – 4,320 ft)

Hiking Time: 5 - 6 hours

Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous

                                View south from Monte Matanna                                               View of the Procinto and Monte Nona from Monte Matanna

23            Monte Croce Loop

A loop to the summit of Monte Croce with views of the Pania della Croce

Distance: 9 km (5.6 mi)

Elevation: 757 – 1314 m (2883 – 4310 ft)

Hiking Time: 4 hours

Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous

                Ascent to the summit of Monte Croce                                View of the Pania della Croce and Monte Forato from Monte Croce

24            Arch of Monte Forato Loop

A loop to a natural arch at the summit of Monte Forato

Distance:        9 km (5.6 mi) for shorter loop

                        10.5 km(6.5 mi) for longer loop

Elevation: 757 – 1314 m (2883 – 4310 ft)

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous

        View of the Pania della Croce from the summit of Monte Forato                                        Arch of Monte Forato below the summit

25            Monte Fiocca Geological Tour

A loop around Monte Fiocca, offering a fascinating geological cross-section of an Alpi Apuane peak and spectacular subalpine heath moorlands

Distance: 12.4 km (7.7 mi)

Elevation: 920 – 1711 m (3018 – 5612 ft)

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous

                    Saddle between Penna di Sumbra and Monte Fiocca                                               Admiring the spectacular Penna di Sumbra

26      Monte Altissimo Loop

A loop to the summit of the most dominant peak of the Versilia - Monte Altissimo through marble quarries and the WWII era German Gothic line.

Distance: 9.5 km (5.9 mi)

Elevation: 990 – 1589 m (3247 – 5212 ft)

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous

                View from the sides of Monte Altissimo                                             Penna di Sumbra and Monte Fiocca from the slopes of Monte Altissimo

27               Monte Sagro Loop and the Marble Quarries of Carrara

A loop in the northern Alpi Apuane above the famous marble quarries of Cararra to the summit of Monte Sagro

Distance: 8.5 km (5.3 mi)

Elevation: 1279 – 1749 m (4195 – 5734 ft)

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

                                Quarries of Carrara below Monte Sagro                                                          Clouds form off the steep cliffs of Monte Sagro

Descending from the summit towards a marble quarry

Bonus Hike            Marble “Glacier” of Monte Corchia

A hike up a marble quarry road to the marble “glacier” and summit of Monte Corchia

Distance:  Approximately 7.0 km roundtrip (4.3 mi)

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Elevation: 1,160 – 1,675 m (3,804 – 5,494 ft)

Park: Parco Naturale di Alpi Apuane

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

    Steep limestone cliffs of Monte Corchia                                                    Active marble quarry at the summit of Monte Corchia