An Enchanted Journey through the Balze of Valdarno
Let yourself be transported to a secret corner of Tuscany, where nature and history come together in a breathtaking spectacle.
- Starting point: Castelfranco
- Intermediate point: Piantravigne
- Arrival point: Castelfranco
A route of about 6 km winds through the fascinating Balze (crags) of Valdarno.
Starting from Castelfranco Piandiscò, one is immediately immersed in a landscape that seems to have come straight out of a painting. The trail takes us through the Borro delle Fossate, where lush vegetation opens up to views of yellowish spires, reminiscent of the famous rock formations of the Grand Canyon. Every step is an opportunity to admire the variety of the Tuscan countryside: plots of cultivated land, vast green meadows, and vineyards follow one another, offering an ever-changing chromatic spectacle. But the real stars are the Balze, magnificent and imposing, dominating the landscape and leaving you breathless.
The route then becomes more adventurous. One enters the valley of acqua zolfina, where the path climbs along the jagged gorge, characterised by the unmistakable smell of sulphur. Here, small Balze spires emerge among the vegetation, while the watercourse, with its opaque, whitish colour, confirms the presence of sulphur. Arriving near the Agriturismo-Osteria ‘Le Balze’, you can opt for a diversion that leads to the village of Piantravigne, offering a truly unique view of the Balze.
But the loop route continues, finally taking us along the Setteponti road, in the direction of the ancient Badia to Soffena, and back to the starting point.
Ending this journey is a bit like leaving an enchanted world. The Balze del Valdarno, with their majestic beauty and surreal atmosphere, remain imprinted in our minds and hearts, inviting us to return and explore even more of this magical corner of Tuscany.
