Easy hikes and walks in Riserva Naturale Acquerino Cantagallo

Cascina di Spedaletto is an important hiking refuge and visitor center located at 883 meters above sea level within the Acquerino Cantagallo Natural Reserve, in the municipality of Cantagallo (Prato), on the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. It historically stands on the remains of an ancient medieval "spedale" (hospice) intended for the accommodation of wayfarers and pilgrims.

A beautiful walk in the mountains, you have a panoramic view of the Bisenzio Valley and you enjoy so much fresh air, my wife and I did it with our daughter in a sling, it's not a route for snickers, you need to know how to go in the mountains, but it's very peaceful.

The Acquerino Reserve is located in the heart of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines between 880 and 1318 meters above sea level. The flora and fauna are truly rich and varied. Here the vehicular traffic is quite low, especially in the low season. In the hottest months of the year, here, you can find refreshment even on the hottest days.

The Reserve is located in the northern Apennines, in the upper basin of the Limentra stream, in the municipality of Sambuca Pistoiese. It is accessed from the provincial Pistoia Riola road. The territory is mountainous and sparsely populated, covered almost continuously by woods. Artificial reforestation of conifers is particularly represented, among which those of Douglas fir stand out, also and above all for their majesty (with plants of an average height of 35/40 m). There are centuries-old specimens of broad-leaved trees around the building housing the former forestry barracks. There are numerous minor tree species such as the mountain maple, the cherry tree, the mountain ash, the willow tree. At lower altitudes we find mixed coppices of turkey oak, hazel, ash, maple and ash. The forest cover is pleasantly interrupted by extensive meadows of high ecological value. In 1975 and following years, following the law on regional decentralization, almost the entire forest area was transferred from the State to the Tuscany Region, for a total area of 4,547 ha. To the State, based on art. 83 of the Presidential Decree 616/77, an area of 242.54 hectares remained in the Municipality of Sambuca Pistoiese, which with Ministerial Decree on 07/13/1977 it was classified as a Biogenetic Nature Reserve for the production of Pseudotsuga menziesii seed, which had been planted in this area since 1928 with excellent results. To find out more, see the Forest Carabinieri website: https://rgpbio.it/riserva/acquerino/

Visitor Center and hiking refuge of the Acquerino Cantagallo Nature Reserve. Cascina di Spedaletto is located 883 meters above sea level and rises between the Limentra valley and the Agna valley. It can be reached either from Tobbiana di Montale, or from Pistoia along the Pistoia-Riola provincial road, or, on foot or by bike, from Luogomano through the Acquiputoli Pass. Here a hospital was built which was dedicated to SS Bartolomeo a Antonino. The farmhouse stands right on the remains of the Spedale. On the side stands the oratory of Sant'Anna, characterized by coats of arms and rosettes reminiscent of the Bardi Counts of Vernio.

The Acquerino Cantagallo nature reserve is little known and this makes it a perfect place to be in contact with nature in complete tranquility. The beech and chestnut trees create an ideal habitat for the animals that reside here, such as the Acquerino deer, the wolf, the badger, and small mammals such as the fox and the weasel. The Acquerino Cantagallo Association often organizes trekking days to discover the wonders of this place.

From here you can admire the panorama of the Prato plain. You can relax and have a picnic on the lawn in front of the farmhouse, or you can taste the delights of the farmhouse cuisine. Every year, on the last weekend of July, Sant'Anna is celebrated, a popular festival where in addition to food stands, various walks are organized to discover the Acquerino Cantagallo nature reserve.

Cottage used as a refuge, restaurant, farmhouse. Excellent place, beautiful lawn, years ago there was a beautiful competition between lumberjacks in July