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A stage on the Consuma Pass branch.
The beautiful mountainous landscapes of the Casentino area provide the setting from the very beginning of this stage. The route descends towards the valley and is immersed in an unspoilt setting, surrounded by the foliage of majestic pine, fir and chestnut forests, offering close contact with the pristine wilderness.
Your path traverses the hamlets of Gualdo and Castel Castagnaio, which are rich not only in lush forests but also in a distant history, with roots dating back to the Etruscan period. On a hill in Castel Castagnaio, there once stood an ancient Etruscan temple, later replaced by a Roman one, which served as the foundations for one of the castles owned by the powerful House of the Counts of Guidi. Some of its fascinating ruins are still visible today.
The stage ends in the medieval village of Stia, dominated by one of the residences of the Counts of Guidi, the Castle of Porciano, and enriched by religious gems such as the parish church of Our Lady of the Assumption. It was, and remains, an important centre for the production of Casentino cloth - a traditional and sought-after woollen fabric - which forms the core of the local craftsmanship, celebrated by the Wool Art Museum built in the village's old wool mill.
