Migliana: Chestnut Trails, Springs and Nativity Scenes

The Giro dei Castagneti begins and ends in Migliana. Its route leads into the valley floor of the Acquerino Cantagallo Nature Reserve, where the Bisenzio rises. The circular route connects the starting point in the village with the river’s source area and then returns to Migliana. When planning the day, the trail itself can be just as much the focus as the destination in the valley floor. The circular route is therefore a hike with a fixed start and finish, but with the valley floor of the reserve as a scenic destination within the route.

Hiking between beech forest and chestnut groves

The CAI Trail 438 also initially passes through beech forest and then continues to centuries-old chestnut groves. Along the route, the beech forest and chestnut groves follow one another in a clear sequence. Migliana also offers hikers and nature enthusiasts an eastern gateway to the Acquerino Cantagallo Nature Reserve. Those who choose a route based on its landscapes can therefore specifically plan the CAI Trail 438 because of this transition.

Another starting point is located at Piazza della Chiesa in Migliana. From there, the Anello delle Sorgenti del Bisenzio begins via CAI Trail 416A. The Sorgenti del Bisenzio can be reached after crossing small wooden bridges at the confluence of the two streams Trogola and Le Barbe. For planning this trail, Piazza della Chiesa, CAI Trail 416A, the wooden bridges, and Trogola and Le Barbe are specific points of orientation.

Discover churches and local history

The history of the village includes two churches with different historical backgrounds. The Chiesa Vecchia is Migliana’s oldest building; its history can be traced back to documents from 1189. The new church of Santa Maria Assunta was built beside the older church at the end of the 1930s. The two churches are therefore located close to each other and belong to different historical periods.

The Via dei Presepi in Migliana

A special cultural feature is the Via dei Presepi in Migliana. It includes more than 50 nativity scenes and takes place every year from 8 December until the last weekend of January. The circular route leads from Trilloni to Masseto and has no major changes in elevation. For a visit, the winter period, the route between Trilloni and Masseto, and the elevation profile are the key planning details. Winter thus provides the timeframe for visiting this circular route in Migliana.

Along the route there are numerous roadside shrines dedicated to the Virgin Mary from different periods. Local residents erected them in the wooded areas where, at that time, much of everyday work took place among chestnut trees, timber and charcoal. The Via dei Presepi thus passes religious markers connected with the former forest work in the woods around Migliana.

For the higher-level travel overview: Cantagallo.