Things to See and Do in the Mugello Valley
Just beyond Tuscany’s best-known tourist routes, the Mugello Valley remains wonderfully unspoilt. Its landscape is one of rolling hills, woodland, small villages, parish churches and historic villas, with traditions passed down through generations.
Set in the countryside near Vicchio, La Casa nel Bosco is an ideal base for exploring the area at your own pace. Spend your days enjoying the great outdoors, discovering local history and food, or simply taking time to unwind.
Near the house, you can follow scenic walking trails, visit places associated with Giotto, Fra Angelico and Don Lorenzo Milani, explore some of the Mugello’s most characterful villages, or sample traditional Tuscan dishes and local produce.
For a more active day out, choose from hiking, cycling, horse riding, waterside activities and sporting events. Florence is also easy to reach by car or train, so you can spend the day exploring one of the world’s great art cities and return in the evening to the peace and quiet of the countryside.
Here are some of the places and experiences we recommend to our guests.
Hiking and Nature
The Mugello Valley is criss-crossed by walking trails, gravel tracks and woodland paths, with routes for experienced hikers and for anyone who simply wants to spend a few hours outdoors.
From the Vicchio area, you can follow paths through rolling hills and small rural hamlets, taking in landscapes shaped by the area’s history and culture. One particularly meaningful route leads to Barbiana, closely associated with Don Lorenzo Milani and his educational work.
La Casa nel Bosco is ideally placed for exploring some of these paths on foot, without needing to drive. In particular, the house lies directly along the Sentiero dei Ragazzi di Barbiana (Barbiana Boys’ Trail), a hiking route that starts at Ponte a Vicchio and leads to the rectory and school in Barbiana, passing places of historical significance connected to Don Lorenzo Milani.
Here are some routes to consider:
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The route to Barbiana and the places associated with Don Lorenzo Milani (Wikiloc)
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The routes dedicated to Giotto, Cimabue and Fra Angelico (Wikiloc)
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The Resistance Trail on Monte Giovi (ANPI)
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Family-friendly walks and dog walks along the cycle path between Vicchio and Borgo San Lorenzo. The route starts just 500 metres from the house.
Some trails call for suitable footwear and a reasonable level of fitness. We’ll be happy to recommend routes based on the season, how long you’d like to walk and the ages of everyone in your group.
For more information about walking routes in the Mugello, visit Orme del Mugello, a website promoting slow tourism through the history, nature and food and wine of our valley.
Read : the trail to Barbiana and the places associated with Don Lorenzo Milani.
Villages, Art and Culture
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The Mugello Valley has much more to offer than beautiful scenery. Its rich cultural heritage includes medieval villages, Medici villas, museums, parish churches and places associated with some of the most influential figures in Italian art and history.
Vicchio, the nearest town to the house, is best known for its connections to Giotto and Fra Angelico. In its historic centre and the surrounding countryside, you’ll find museums, landmarks and trails dedicated to the two great artists.
Nearby are Borgo San Lorenzo, the Mugello’s main town, and Scarperia, one of the area’s best-known villages, renowned for its traditional knife-making and historic centre.
Places to visit during your stay include:
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Vicchio’s historic centre;
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Giotto’s House in Vespignano;
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the Beato Angelico Museum of Sacred Art and Popular Religion;
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Borgo San Lorenzo and the Chini Museum;
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the village of Scarperia and its magnificent Palazzo dei Vicari;
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the Medici villas of the Mugello;
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parish churches and chapels scattered throughout the countryside;
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Lake Bilancino and the villages in the western Mugello.
You can visit these places individually or combine them into half-day or full-day itineraries.
Food and Wine Experiences
A Taste of Mugello
Food is one of the best ways to get to know the Mugello Valley.
The area is home to trattorias, restaurants, farms, markets and small producers where you can discover dishes and ingredients rooted in Tuscan country cooking.
Local menus feature fresh pasta, Mugello potato tortelli, grilled meats, game, cured meats, cheeses, honey, chestnuts and traditional desserts. Many restaurants use ingredients sourced directly from farms in the area.
The well-known Casa del Prosciutto is just a few minutes from La Casa nel Bosco. Vicchio, Borgo San Lorenzo and the surrounding countryside also offer a wide choice of restaurants, pizzerias, trattorias and cafés.
During your stay, we recommend trying:
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traditional Mugello trattorias;
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Mugello potato tortelli;
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local cured meats and cheeses;
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farms and agriturismi;
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weekly markets;
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food festivals celebrating seasonal produce;
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small shops selling local specialities.
We’d be happy to share our favourite restaurants and recommend places for families, special occasions or a relaxed meal.
Mugello Wines
The Mugello’s wine scene is young, but growing fast.
Although grape growing in the area dates back to the Renaissance, it began to flourish again in the late 1990s, with renewed interest in grape varieties suited to the region’s hills and Apennine foothills. Pinot Noir is now one of the area’s most distinctive wines, alongside Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Merlot and other varieties.
In recent years, many local producers have joined ProViMu, an association founded to promote the quality, sustainability and distinctive character of Mugello wines. Several wineries and farms in the area offer tastings, vineyard tours and the chance to meet local producers and learn about their methods and wines. Many visits are by appointment, so it’s best to get in touch in advance.
You can find a list of wineries open to visitors in the Mugello and Valdisieve here. Several are in the municipality of Vicchio; the others are generally within a 15–20-minute drive. Advance booking is almost always required, so we recommend contacting the wineries ahead of your visit.
Find out more in this dedicated article about Mugello wines.
Visit Florence
A stay in the Mugello Valley lets you enjoy the peace of the countryside while keeping Florence within easy reach.
Florence is about a 50-minute drive away, or around an hour by train from Vicchio station, just a few minutes from La Casa nel Bosco. Alternatively, Borgo San Lorenzo station is about 10 minutes from the house, with frequent trains to Florence taking around 40 minutes. Travelling by train is an easy way to reach the city centre without worrying about traffic or parking.
A day in Florence might include Piazza del Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, the Uffizi Gallery or Palazzo Pitti, followed by a wander through some of the city’s less touristy neighbourhoods.
We recommend booking tickets for the most popular attractions in advance, especially in spring and summer.
After a day exploring the city, you can return to the peace and quiet of the countryside and enjoy the evening in the garden, away from the noise and bustle.
Outdoor activities
Mugello’s varied landscapes offer plenty of ways to enjoy an active holiday.
The hill roads and country lanes are popular with road cyclists, mountain bikers and hikers. Nearby, you can also go horse riding, play golf, fish and enjoy a range of water sports.
Vicchio’s municipal swimming pools are about a three-minute drive from La Casa nel Bosco, making them a convenient choice for families on hot days. The tennis courts are right next to the pools.
Lake Bilancino has well-equipped beaches, green spaces and opportunities for water sports. The surrounding area also has riding stables, golf courses and cycling routes of varying difficulty.
Mugello is also known around the world for the Mugello Circuit, near Scarperia. The circuit hosts motorcycle races, motor racing events and special days for motorsport enthusiasts.
Activities include:
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road cycling;
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mountain biking;
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hiking;
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horse riding;
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golf;
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fishing;
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swimming;
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activities on Lake Bilancino;
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events at the Mugello Circuit.
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Coming soon: the Mugello Circuit, upcoming events and useful information for your stay.
Festivals, Markets & Events
**Festivals, Markets & Events**
Throughout the year, towns and villages across Mugello host food festivals, local celebrations, cultural events and sporting events.
In spring and summer, historic centres and smaller villages come alive with open-air dinners, concerts, traditional festivals and events celebrating local produce. Autumn brings a particularly full calendar of events dedicated to chestnuts, mushrooms, truffles and other seasonal specialities.
Some of the most distinctive events include:
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food festivals;
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weekly markets and craft markets;
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local patron saint celebrations;
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historical re-enactments;
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concerts and performances;
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sporting events;
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celebrations of local culture and traditions.
The calendar changes every year, and many events are announced only a few weeks in advance. During your stay, we can let you know what’s happening in the surrounding towns and villages.
We’ll also publish seasonal guides to the main festivals and events in Mugello on our blog.
Three Unmissable Experiences
The Trail to Barbiana
Barbiana is one of the most significant places in the Vicchio area.
It was here that Don Lorenzo Milani founded a school for children from some of the area’s poorest and most isolated families. His approach to education is still widely known throughout Italy.
The trail to Barbiana winds through woodland and countryside, bringing together hiking, history and time for reflection. La Casa nel Bosco is well placed for exploring the trails in the area.
In the Land of Giotto and Fra Angelico
Vicchio is closely linked to two great figures in Italian art: Giotto and Fra Angelico.
Visiting the places associated with them offers a chance to discover a landscape whose colours and shapes still echo the Tuscany found in their art.
Giotto’s House, the Beato Angelico Museum and trails through the surrounding countryside can be combined into a half-day or full-day cultural itinerary.
The Mugello Circuit
The Mugello Circuit is one of the area’s best-known attractions. It hosts races, test sessions and events for motorcycle and motorsport enthusiasts throughout the year.
During major events, the whole area comes alive with fans from across Italy and abroad.
With three bedrooms, private parking, a kitchen and a garden, La Casa nel Bosco makes a comfortable base for families or groups attending events at the circuit who want to stay somewhere peaceful.
Explore Mugello from La Casa nel Bosco
Mugello has something different to offer in every season, from woodland walks and days exploring local villages to cultural visits, events, regional specialities and trips to Florence.
La Casa nel Bosco gives you the freedom to make the most of the area at your own pace, with a choice of nature, culture, sport or simply taking time to relax.
We live just across the way and would be delighted to recommend walks, restaurants and activities to suit your interests, the time of year and your family’s needs.