There are places in Italy you don’t really understand just by looking at a photo, you have to move through them, slowly.
The Casentino Forests are one of those places. Here, nature is not just a backdrop — it is the main character.
Where the Casentino Forests are (and why they are so special)
The Casentino Forest National Park stretches across Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, along the Apennines. It is one of the most significant forest areas in Europe, with more than 80% of its territory covered by trees.
And that’s not just a number. It means you can walk or ride for hours without leaving the forest, without traffic, without artificial noise. Just trees, trails and wind.
This is also where you’ll find the ancient beech forests, trees that have remained almost untouched for centuries and are now part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.
And when you truly step into these forests, you feel it right away: the light shifts, the sounds soften, everything slows down.
Casentino Forests on foot or by bike
The park can be explored on foot or by bike. But if you want to cross it entirely — the so-called TRANSPARCO — cycling is definitely the best option. It allows you to cover longer distances and reach your destination before evening, with time to relax and enjoy the slower rhythm of these mountains.
And once you arrive, there’s something else you shouldn’t rush: the food. These lands offer simple, genuine flavors that are very much part of the experience.
Between Etruscans, pilgrims and ancient routes
These mountains have never really been isolated, people have crossed them for centuries.
The Etruscans left visible traces, especially around the Lake of the Idols, one of the most important archaeological sites in the Apennines. Even today, it still holds a certain mystery.
Then came the pilgrims. The Passo Serra, for example, was one of the routes used to cross the Apennines on the way to Rome. Men and women from all over Europe passed through here, heading toward sacred places.
The spiritual side: Camaldoli and La Verna
There, you just need to pause for a moment… there is a reason why some of Italy’s most important spiritual places were founded here.
The Hermitage of Camaldoli, established over a thousand years ago, lies deep within a forest that monks have carefully managed for centuries. Here, the relationship between humans and nature is not theoretical — it’s part of everyday life.
And then there is La Verna. Reaching it after days spent riding through the forest is something you don’t easily forget. The sanctuary, built on the mountain given to Saint Francis, overlooks the valley from a dramatic position. Rock, forest, silence.
You don’t have to be religious to feel something here, you just need to pause for a moment.
An Italy away from the usual routes
When people think of Italy, they often picture famous cities, postcard villages and rolling hills.
The Casentino Forests are something else. A quieter, more authentic Italy. A place where mass tourism hasn’t really arrived — at least not yet. And that’s exactly what makes it special.
When to go: the best time to visit
The best time to experience the Casentino Forests is between June and October..
In summer, the altitude and the forest keep temperatures pleasantly cool, even on the hottest days.
In autumn, something changes, the foliage transforms the entire landscape — reds, oranges, yellows. Every turn looks different. It’s one of the most beautiful times to ride here.
From November to May, snow often covers the area.
What makes this experience truly unique
Not because it’s extreme, but because it’s real.
