Love to combine hiking with both stunning natural scenery and incredible historic sites? Well, if you are planning on booking a villa in Tuscany and are thinking about things to include on your itinerary, then we would suggest heading to a villa in Prato and the surrounding area to tackle the Medici Route.
Stretching between four different historic Medici Villas and over a total distance of 78.3km, through three provinces, nine municipalities, four stages, and two rings, those who decide to experience it for themselves could certainly take the more ambitious option of tackling the whole thing. If you go for this option, it should take about four or more days of quite serious hiking, though the hiking trails themselves are described as not overly difficult.
Those a little less dedicated to the route as a whole but who might like to experience parts of it, meanwhile, could absolutely choose to tackle sections, instead. This is a much more doable option for most and a nice way to combine a little bit of hiking with some visits to the extraordinary and UNESCO World Heritage Site-awarded Medici Villas.
Passing through a wide territory made up of Montalbano and the two vast plains at its feet, the area of the Medici Route is one that is steeped in history. As an area of strategic importance, shifting territorial lines, and battles, it is no surprise that one might find an especially rich and large wealth of fascinating historic remains in this part of the region.
The Medici rose to prominence as one of the major families of Tuscany in the 1470s and began to take lands and build homes in this area. By the end of the 15th century, they had entirely taken the northern side of Montalbano under their control. Under Medici rule, the landscape changed as traditional agricultural practices like the production of oil, wine, and wheat, were joined with new endeavours like rice production and the raising of animals for dairy as well as hunting and breeding grounds for exotic animals.
So, those who venture through this landscape will discover the Villas; the only Still Life museum in Italy; the charming historic villages; the olive groves and vineyards, and historic wines like the world’s first DOC, Carmignano, created under Grand Duke Cosimo III de' Medici in 1716. All of this and more can be discovered as you drive around, from attraction to attraction, or if you choose to try the Medici Route yourself. For those who book a vacation rental in Tuscany and are looking to choose a stretch of the route to tackle during your holiday, here are the options:
1. Prato to Artimino
This stretch measures 19.2km in total and should take just under six hours if one were to hike continuously. If you’re making the suggested stops along the route, it should take around nine hours in total. It takes in both the Medici Villa in Poggio a Caiano (along with the lovely Cascine di Tavola park in the centre of Prato, which was once part of its estate) and the Medici Villa "La Ferdinanda" in Artimino as well as some of the most charming villages and most picturesque stretches of landscape, including woods and hunting reserves, vineyards, and olive groves. Other curiosities such as the aforementioned Still Life Museum, the aqueduct of the Villa in Poggio a Caiano, Etruscan archaeological sites, churches, and several other museums can also be admired along the way. Notably, this stretch has some of the easiest trails to walk, so if you’re thinking about taking on the whole thing or part of the route and you’re a less experienced hiker, this might be for you.
2. Artimino to Bacchereto
A slightly more difficult route, this stretch measures 22.1km and is estimated to take six hours and fifteen minutes if walked continuously and about seven and a half hours if you are making stops. Taking walkers up into the hills and woods on the northern side of Montalbano, it offers amazing views and stunning surroundings. Pass by the Woods of Montalbano, Etruscan Settlements, abbeys, churches, vineyards, and the La Ferdinanda Medici Villa.
3. Bacchereto to Vinci
Like the last stretch, this is considered a medium difficulty route. While it is the shortest, at 18km in length, it does take longer, however. For those walking continuously, it should take around six hours and forty minutes and eight hours with stops. Passing over the upper area of Montalbano and down the southern slopes, it affords panoramic vistas over the Valdarno di Sotto, the Apuan Alps, and the Pistoia Apennines. Take in the mills, admire the landscapes that inspired Vinci’s most famous son, Leonardo Da Vinci, and visit the museum dedicated to him and his birthplace.
4. Vinci to Fucecchio
This stretch is 19km long and is likely the easiest option. Taking five hours and forty minutes if tackled continuously and around six hours and forty minutes with stops, it stretches over an area that becomes less wooded, more gently hilly, and more gentle, in general. Continuously and painstakingly maintained for centuries by the peasants who once lived here, this is an area of Tuscany that is a true garden and that also inspired da Vinci as well as the Grand Tour visitors who were captivated by it in the 18th and 19th centuries. Along the way, visit the Medici Villa of Cerreto Guidi, take in the Fucecchio Marshes, and explore various fascinating museums. We have some amazing vacation rentals in Vinci to choose from if you want to stay in this area.
In addition to the four stages of the Medici Route, there are also two rings. If you are planning on maybe just hiking for even a small part of one of the stages and then heading back to your car then they offer great options so that you’re not left with a long return journey back to your vehicle but another great option is one of the rings as they’ll loop you right back to where you started.
The La Magia Ring – Quarrata
Medium difficulty, 15km in length, four and a half hours long continuously and five and a half with stops. This ring takes you from the Pistoia countryside and through the Medici hunting territorial system, taking in the La Magia Medici Villa and the La Magia Museum Park along the way. Check out our villas in Pistoia as a great base for exploring this stunning part of the world.
The Capraia and Montelupo Ring
One of the easier difficulty routes, it is 14km long and takes three hours to walk continuously and four hours with stops. Along the way, you’ll take in the most south-eastern stretch of the Montalbano mountains, enjoy a gentle walk along the Arno River, and encounter pretty villages, medieval castles, woods, museums, charming churches, Roman ruins, curiosities, and the Medici Villa dell'Ambrogiana.
The official website of the Medici Route has all of the information about the stretches and rings, including start-point coordinates, maps, and more detailed guides to the various attractions. So, if you book a holiday rental in Tuscany and are considering tackling even a small part of this fascinating hiking route, it is an invaluable resource!
