The intrepid Belinda has been out walking the wintery hills. There are dozens of ancient mule trails between the villages. The one between Ponte a Serraglio and Granaiola has recently been cleaned up, so Belinda and some mates headed off to discover the trail on a sunny winter day.
The terrain is not as beautiful as it is in spring, but winter has its charms.
A very cute chapel appeared on the way.
The group enjoyed a very good lunch (pecorino with honey, macaroni with salmon and red wine) at the Rifugio Fiori, a litte further on from Granaiola at Pieve Di Monti di Villa.
They took the road back to Ponte a Serraglio, but there are several tracks down the mountain.
I will tackle this in spring and report further.
Bella Bagni di Lucca 
Lovely little chapel en route.
It is great fun to go walking in the hills around Bagni Di Lucca, there is always something wonderful to see.
Next time I plan to do more walks! These routes look fabulous.
Looks a wee bit chilly! Liked that ‘bottle green’ door on the chapel….gorgeous colour!
R
Green was a popular colour for doors in the area. I have photographed hundreds of them.
Hitting very close to my heart. Look forward to your Spring report.
I will be back in Ponte a Serraglio next month and I am looking forward to getting out and about.
Looks fun & Belinda is certainly making the most of her time there – well done her
It has been great having Belinda in the village keeping us up to date with what has been happening.
As the trail has been cleared, all what is needed now is some mules and some picnic baskets… It could become an interesting excursion….
What a good idea, there is a job opportunity for someone.
Great photos, lovely winter scenery, but the Lunch menu grabbed my attention: pecorino with honey sounds like something I absolutely have to try.
Pecorino is a specialty of the area and the local honey is good too.
Another charming place in a very lovely area
I am really looking forward to getting back to Ponte a Serraglio soon…and some lovely cold weather.
Love, love, love those little buildings you find in Italy……would never happen in Texas! 🙂 Lovely post.
These walks in the mountains always offer wonderful things.
Great post; love the photo’s. Its good to get out and about in all weather in BDL. The last time we were in Rifugio Fiori the owners had ducklings wandering around in the indoors.
All the customers were delighted, especially the children present.
I have never been to the rifugio…I will remedy that on my return. I love the winter landscape, especially on those blue sky days.
Is it the path that starts from the kindergarten in Ponte a Serraglio? I used to walk up to Granaiola on the main car road, it is a very good workout!
I think the path starts near there. The road is quite steep, so I imagine the path is too.
I better get into training by the looks of things
We can both take it slowly, puffing and panting all the way. I am not good with uphill.
What a lovely time to do the walk as you can see the wonderful vista through the trees….in spring the leaves may block the view a little. It would be a pretty strenuous walk I would imagine but well worth the effort.
Early spring could be the best time when the trees are starting to turn green but the trees are not too bushy. I have had bursitis in my right foot for months, but I am hoping it is on the mend and I will be able to be out walking when I go back to Italy next month.
I agree fullheartedly, that would be beautiful, not too hot and preferably dry. One of the things i had already on my to-do-list: get a proper walking map of the area.
And make sure my achilles is completely healed…… But, i am carefully training and working towards these trails. Non vedo l’ ora (i can’t wait)!
And maybe a husband that decides to collect us at the top and pay for lunch, grin????
Sureeeee
Welcome to everybody
The past summer my friends and I we voluntary work on this track.
Old people told as that was more than 30 years who nobody can use the mule-tract.
On Rifugio Fiori webpage
http://www.rifugiofiori.it/Dawnload.html
you can find other tracks an old local history that you can enjoyed.
We also put the link at your kind post.
I’m apologise for my English.
Ciao
Andrea
Thank you Andrea, and your friends, for clearing the track. I think it is wonderful that the track can be used again. I will be back in Bagni Di Lucca next month and I would like to meet you and find out more.
Thank you for the link.
I can’t wait to explore this trail and others when we come next month! Great post!
By then it will look very pretty with its spring growth.
Pingback: Lunch and a spring walk from Rifugio Fiori | Bella Bagni di Lucca