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Val di Pozzo farmhouse

A walking holiday in the hills of Tuscany…

Tre Fonti picnic area

'Tre Fonti' picnic area near the farm

Walking in the Tuscan hills

Val di Pozzo is a great place to start an all-day hike or  just a quiet walk. We are in the wooded hills of the Alpe di Catenaia Protected Area, and near to the boundary of the National Park of the Casentino Forest. Deer, boar, wolves, buzzards and porcupines are some of the animals you may see in this area. The scenery is spectacular and highly varied, ranging from high open pastures and mountain ridges overlooking the valleys of the Tiber and Arno, to deep  forests of beech and chestnut with streams and winding paths.

The farmhouse nestles amidst an amazing network of walking trails. A full-day’s hike will take you to St Francis’ cave and the sanctuary of la Verna on foot, or to the hilltop village of Caprese Michelangelo, the famous artist’s birthplace. For those who prefer gentle strolls, there are easier walks along the tracks which offer great wildlife watching and unparalleled views over Tuscany as far as the Mount Amiata.

We run guided hikes and nature walks at Val di Pozzo, for all ages and abilities. If you are interested in taking part in one of these, either as an individual, family, larger group or school, please contact us. All walks are run by a qualified English-speaking hiking guide.

Summer in the garden

Summer is here and the garden is a lovely place to enjoy fragrant herbs under the Tuscan sun.

Wildflowers are at their best in May and June, when the meadows are colourful with wild pea, saxifrage and poppies, and the air is full of the heady scent of ginestra or Spanish broom. July and August are hot and dry, but there is always a cool evening breeze at Val di Pozzo, which is high above the Arno valley with views across Tuscany as far as Mount Amiata. Guests have a large shared outdoor terrace with a vine-covered pergola, dining area and stone-built BBQ…  just perfect for sunbathing  or eating alfresco.

Farmhouse holiday

Our holiday accommodation is in lovingly-restored farm buildings on a hill overlooking southern Tuscany.

There are two apartments in the converted stables, called Melograno and Lavanda.  Each apartment has its own bathroom and kitchen, with shared use of an outdoor terrace, dining area and BBQ facility. Each of the apartments sleeps two people in the main bedroom, with an additional sofa-bed in the living area.

Spring cherry blossom in our orchard

Our friend the hoopoe

It’s nice to hear our friends the cuckoo and hoopoe calling cheerfully again, and to see the forests turning green and the orchards of Val di Pozzo in blossom. Spring and early summer is a wonderful time of year for walking and birdwatching here… and it’s quite common to see families of boar with tiny striped piglets crossing the track ahead of you.

Spring produce in the local open-air markets includes fresh artichokes sold by the bunch, bundles of wild asparagus, and the first crunchy green baccelli of the season.

Baccelli beans and pecorino cheese