Holiday apartment in Renaio: mountains, chestnuts and historic trails

Renaio among mountain trails and chestnut groves

Renaio lies at an altitude of around 1,000 metres and overlooks the valley of the Corsonna mountain stream. Particularly impressive is the high concentration of centuries-old chestnut trees, which are classified as monumental trees within a limited area and have very large trunk circumferences. The area is also characterised by extensive chestnut groves and coppice woods and is associated with mushroom gathering.

The Rifugio Alpino Giovanni Santi mountain refuge lies at 1,308 metres in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, in a beech forest in the immediate surroundings of Renaio. From Renaio, it is also possible to arrange excursions of naturalistic and scenic interest to Monte Giovo and Lago Santo Modenese.

Hiking trails with different points of interest

CAI hiking trail 20 leads from Renaio via Vetricia and Pian Caciaia to Porticciola. It lies in the Apennine group of the Monti Omo and Giovo and runs from 1,010 metres at Renaio up to 1,750 metres at Porticciola.

A shorter trail leads from the car park in Renaio past the Chiesa di San Paolino and takes about half an hour to reach the village of Cima Abetaio. The path to Cima Abetaio is signposted with wooden directional arrows and information boards. The boards indicate the names of the trees and their trunk circumferences.

Local history and religious tradition

The historic Via dei Remi passes through Renaio, climbs up to the church, descends to Piana and splits there into the Vecchia Via dei Remi and the Nuova Via dei Remi. From the Piana di Renaio, the Nuova Via dei Remi continues uphill towards Vetricia, where it coincides with the present-day municipal road, which first leads to Sasso a Perchio and then to Vetricia. Particularly during the 16th and 17th centuries, the Via dei Remi was used to transport long beech poles and fir trunks by oxen from the Apennine slopes of the Garfagnana and from forests beyond the ridge, including those near Cutigliano and Abetone, to a large shed called the Arsenale.

Another historic feature is the Oratorio di San Paolino in Renaio. It was built in 1771 as a single-nave church without a transept and has a gabled façade with a three-arched loggia leading into the church. The Chiesa di San Paolino also features a decorated commemorative plaque bearing eight names listed in remembrance of the First World War. Renaio’s religious Quarantore tradition is traditionally celebrated on the third Sunday in September.

More destinations to consider

If you would like to extend your travel plans beyond Renaio, you can also include Trassilico, Montecarlo, Camporgiano, Lucca, Gramolazzo, Vallico di Sotto, Vagli Sotto and Sillano in your selection.

Back to the main travel overview: Lucca.