A Cool Summer Day in Mugello: From the Gothic Line Museum to Moscheta

When summer temperatures rise, head into the Apennines for woodland, streams and cooler air. One day out we recommend for discovering a different side of Mugello takes you to Giogo Pass and Badia di Moscheta, in the heart of the Apennines.

Moscheta is about a 45-minute drive from La Casa nel Bosco. The route is ideal for a stop at MuGot – Museo Gotica Toscana, a museum dedicated to the Gothic Line and the events of the Second World War that unfolded in these mountains.

It makes for a varied day: a little history in the morning, followed by nature, woodland walks, hiking, horses, picnics and streams in the afternoon. It’s especially suitable for families with children, particularly on hot summer days.

First stop: MuGot and the history of the Gothic Line

Leaving Vicchio towards Scarperia and Giogo Pass, the first stop is MuGot – Museo Gotica Toscana, in Ponzalla.

The museum tells the story of events in Mugello during the Second World War, particularly the fighting to break through the Gothic Line, the defensive system built by German forces along the Apennines.

In September 1944, the mountains around Giogo Pass were the scene of fierce fighting. Visiting the museum before continuing towards the pass helps you understand the landscape you’ll soon be travelling through.

Inside, documents, photographs, uniforms, equipment, original artefacts and reconstructions bring both the military and human stories of the conflict to life.

The museum is conveniently located on the way to Moscheta, roughly halfway along the route, making it a pleasant place to break up the journey.

Guided tours of the battlefields

If you’re interested in history, there’s much more to discover than the museum itself.

The association that runs MuGot also organises guided tours of the battlefields, taking visitors into the mountains around Giogo Pass to see the defensive positions, trails and strategic points along the Gothic Line.

It’s probably the best way to understand what happened in this part of the Apennines. A trench, ridge or defensive position might look like just another part of the landscape until someone explains its significance on the spot.

The association’s team is knowledgeable and passionate, making the visit engaging even for those without a particular interest in military history. If you have the time and an interest in this period, a guided battlefield tour is well worth it.

On request, they can also arrange pick-up directly from your accommodation, so you don’t have to make your own way to the various points along the route.

The guided tours naturally take longer than a visit to the museum alone. If you choose one, it may be best to devote most of the day to the Gothic Line and leave Moscheta for another time.

On to Giogo Pass

After leaving MuGot, the road begins to climb towards Giogo Pass, at an altitude of around 880 metres.

As you climb, the landscape changes. The towns and fields of Mugello give way to Apennine woodland, and in summer you’ll quickly notice the cooler temperatures compared with the valley.

Giogo Pass is one of the historic routes linking Mugello with Alto Mugello and Romagna. It also played a central role in the history of the Gothic Line.

From here, the road continues through the woods towards Rifredo, then descends to Badia di Moscheta.

The drive is part of the day out: with its bends, beech and chestnut woods, and mountain views, this stretch feels quite different from the countryside around Vicchio.

Moscheta: A Day in the Great Outdoors

Badia di Moscheta lies among the Apennine woods, within the Giogo-Casaglia forest reserve.

The ancient Vallombrosan abbey dates back to the 11th century. Today, it sits at the heart of a large natural area criss-crossed by trails, forest roads and streams.

In summer, it’s an ideal place to spend a few hours outdoors and escape the heat.

One of the best things about Moscheta is that you don’t need to plan a proper hike. You can arrive, have lunch, go for a walk and spend some time by the stream—or use the abbey as a starting point for longer hikes.

Lunch at the Restaurant or a Shady Picnic

There are two options for lunch.

If you’d prefer a sit-down meal, you can eat at the restaurant at Badia di Moscheta, which serves food inspired by the traditional cuisine of Mugello and the Apennines.

Alternatively, Moscheta is perfect for a woodland picnic.

There are tables and picnic spots in the shade near the abbey. It’s a particularly convenient option with children: bring something to eat, find a table under the trees and enjoy a relaxed lunch without worrying too much about plans or timings.

On a hot day, it’s hard to find a better spot.

The Stream and a Dip in the Cool Water

After lunch, especially in the height of summer, the stream inevitably becomes one of the main attractions.

The water flowing down from the Apennines stays refreshingly cool, even in the hottest months, and forms small pools in some places.

For children, this is often the most fun part of the day. Just remember to bring swimwear, a towel and water shoes.

Of course, this is a natural environment. The riverbed can be slippery, water levels can vary and currents may be stronger after rainfall. With children, choose calmer spots and keep a close eye on them at all times.

Even without going for a swim, dipping your feet in the water after a woodland walk is a lovely way to cool off.

Hiking for All Ages

Moscheta is also one of the main starting points for hikes in the Giogo-Casaglia forest complex.

There are routes of varying lengths and difficulty, so you can tailor the day to the time you have and the children’s ages.

With young children, a walk in the woods around the abbey may be enough. You could follow the stream for a while or wander through the centuries-old chestnut grove.

More experienced walkers can choose longer routes towards Inferno Valley, the Veccione stream and the more remote parts of the forest complex.

You don’t necessarily need to have a destination in mind. One of the loveliest things about Moscheta is that you can set off from the abbey, walk in the woods for an hour and then return to where you started.

Horse Riding in Moscheta

There’s also a riding stable in the area, offering horseback rides nearby.

With forest roads, woodland and trails, this part of Mugello is particularly well suited to horse riding.

For families, it can be a fun alternative to hiking—or simply a chance for children to get to know horses.

If you’d like to arrange a ride, contact the stable in advance to check availability, ride durations and any age restrictions.

Museum of the Historic Landscape of the Apennines

The Museum of the Historic Landscape of the Apennines is also housed in Badia di Moscheta. It’s a small but fascinating museum that offers insight into how the area has changed over the centuries.

The exhibition begins with the history of the abbey and the role Vallombrosan monks played in managing the woodland. It then traces the changing Apennine landscape, from medieval forests to cultivated land, through the depopulation of the mountains and more recent changes. Models, reconstructions and interactive exhibits make it accessible to younger visitors too.

It’s particularly well suited to families with children. There’s an activity book to help children explore the landscape around Moscheta, and educational workshops and guided visits can be arranged in advance. From the museum, you can also head straight into the woods, for example along the Sentiero dei Seccatoi, and turn your visit into a short hike.

Sleeping Under the Stars

A visit to Moscheta can also become a little multi-day adventure.

At certain times and for specific events, camping and overnight stays outdoors may be available, in addition to the abbey’s hostel.

Spending a night in a tent in the woods can be great fun for children and offers a completely different way to experience this part of the Apennines.

As camping arrangements may change, check availability and the latest conditions before you set off.

A Great Day Out for Children

MuGot and Moscheta work well together because they offer two very different experiences.

You can spend the morning exploring the area’s history without committing to a long visit. After the museum, head up into the Apennines and enjoy a more relaxed afternoon.

With young children, there’s no need to plan a demanding hike. A picnic, a woodland walk, some time by the stream and a visit to the horses are more than enough to fill the day.

With older children, you could add a longer hike or a guided tour of the Gothic Line sites.

Planning Your Day

Here’s one way to organise your visit:

Morning – Leave La Casa nel Bosco and visit MuGot.

Late morning – Drive up to Giogo Pass and continue to Moscheta.

Lunch – Eat at the abbey restaurant or enjoy a picnic in the shade.

Afternoon – Walk in the woods, relax by the stream, go for a swim, hike or go horse riding.

Late afternoon – Head back to Vicchio via Giogo Pass.

The drive from La Casa nel Bosco to Moscheta takes around 45 minutes. With MuGot on the way, it’s easy to break up the journey.

This is one of the day trips we especially recommend in summer. In less than an hour, you can travel from the countryside around Vicchio to the Apennine woods, where you can enjoy a relaxed day surrounded by nature and history—and escape the heat.

What to Bring

In summer, we recommend bringing:

• comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots;

• swimwear;

• a towel;

• water shoes;

• a reusable water bottle;

• a hat and sun cream;

• a light jumper, especially if you plan to stay until late afternoon.

If you’re visiting with children, snacks and a picnic blanket can also come in handy.

Useful Links

Check opening hours and availability before setting off.

MuGot – Museo Gotica Toscana: Museum visits, guided tours and information about the Gothic Line: https://www.goticatoscana.eu/

Information about Moscheta, trails and activities in Mugello: https://www.mugellotoscana.it/

Visit Tuscany – ideas and itineraries in Mugello: https://www.visittuscany.com/

For the restaurant, riding stable, guided tours and any overnight stays, we recommend checking availability and booking in advance, especially on summer weekends.