Things to do in the Casentino: hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, fishing and mushrooms

The Casentino is the upper valley of the Arno, surrounded by the forests of a national park. Here are the outdoor activities you can enjoy from Parc Hotel Poppi, all year round.

Hiking in the Casentino Forests National Park

The Casentino Forests, Monte Falterona and Campigna National Park, established in 1993, covers the mountains between Tuscany and Romagna. Its ancient beech forests, including the Sasso Fratino reserve, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Some ideas:

• The Sacred Forests Trail: about 100 km in 7 stages from Lago di Ponte (Tredozio) to La Verna, via Campigna, Camaldoli and Badia Prataglia.
• Camaldoli and La Verna: forests and sanctuaries about 20 and 40 minutes by car from the hotel. See hotel near Camaldoli and La Verna.
• Monte Falterona, where the Arno rises.

The Park runs guided walks and publishes routes on its website: check trail conditions with a visitor centre before you set off.

Mountain biking, e-bikes and gravel

• Forest roads and trails in the Park, for every level. Local guides offer e-bike tours with bike rental.
• The Arno cycle route along the valley, good for bike touring and gravel.
• Locked bike storage with access from inside the hotel, plus a free private car park if you arrive with bikes on your car or van.

Snowshoeing in winter

When there is snow, the Park’s ridges can be explored on snowshoes. Guided outings often start from Badia Prataglia, a mountain village in the municipality of Poppi. Go with a qualified hiking guide and check snow and weather conditions first.

Fly fishing and stream fishing

• Trout is the prize catch in Casentino waters.
• Capodarno zone: about 5 km of the Arno between Pratovecchio and Stia, managed by ASD Pescatori Casentinesi. One stretch is artificial lures only with compulsory release (no kill), suitable for fly fishing.
• Lago di Tripoli: no-kill sport fishing with a day permit, plus trout fishing courses.

A Tuscan Region fishing licence is required for rivers. Rules, seasons and permits change: check with the managing bodies before you go.

Porcini mushrooms: picking rules

Casentino woods are known for mushrooms. In Tuscany, picking follows regional law 16/1999:

• Non-residents pay for a permit to the Tuscan Region: €15 for one day, €40 for 7 consecutive days, €100 for one year. The payment reference must say “Raccolta funghi” with the chosen day or week. Carry the receipt and an ID.
• Limit of 3 kg per person per day.
• Porcini caps must be at least 4 cm. Rakes and plastic bags are banned: use a rigid, ventilated container.
• Picking is allowed from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.
• The National Park and other protected areas have their own rules: check with the Park.

Rules can change: always check the Tuscan Region website (toll-free 800 860 070).

In summer: a swim in the Arno and the pool

In Stia, the Canto alla Rana park has a natural pool in the Arno for a summer swim (the water is cool). At the hotel, the outdoor pool is open from June to September.

Trail running

Badia Prataglia hosts the Trail Sacred Forests race, with routes of different lengths through the Park’s forests.

Where to stay

Parc Hotel Poppi is a three-star hotel with 39 rooms, buffet breakfast included, an in-house restaurant and a free private car park, in Ponte a Poppi, in the middle of the valley. Pets are welcome: see our dog-friendly hotel page. For a two-day plan, see our weekend in the Casentino itinerary.

FAQ

Parc Hotel is listed by the Casentino Forests National Park