For its position between cultivated land and forest, the Vipiana farmhouse offers the benefits of both. One can explore the terraced fields discovering particularly suggestive spots and breathtaking views, or silent forest paths on foot or by bicycle. Taking little used unpaved roads, one can reach other villages to the north and south of the farm. In the nearby town of Monte a Pescia, there is a chapel dedicated to the musician Giovanni Pacini and terracotta reliefs from the school of Della Robbia. One can hike to the villages of Santa Margherita, Collodi, Medicina, Uso di Sotto, Pontito, or down to Pescia and discover the beauties of centuries old stories… These are only some examples of what one can do from the farm; it can be a stop for camping, trekking or pilgrimages.
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The path of San Jacopo, marked a few years ago, starts from Florence and reaches Livorno. The third stage includes the Pistoia – Pescia section of 29.6 km with a maximum height of about 300 s.l.m. It is a very varied stage and alternates flat stretches with ancient hilly paths, often in pavement, which reach interesting villages and castles. It ends in the center of Pescia. To reach the Vipiana agri-hostel, which dominates the valley, you need to travel two more kilometers on the mule track or 5 on the asphalt road. For those who just can't support in this last effort, Lisa, Renzo or Laura di Vipiana are available to accompany pilgrims from the city center to the hostel, where the beauty of the landscape and the good and healthy food will corroborate the energies. If, after a day of walking, the last stretch before the evening rest can be really tiring, it is possible to feel relieved because the hostel is located near a beautiful short variant of the next stage that, through the woods, reaches Collodi and then continues in the stretch indicated for Lucca.
Trekkings
Ostello Vipiana, S. Anna e Medicina, CAI 50 trail
Via della Fiaba to Collodi