Where to admire the autumn foliage spectacle in Tuscany

Autumn is the season when nature’s most impressive and incredible spectacle takes place, that of foliage, also known as autumn colouring. It is a phenomenon that creates such marvellous scenery that it seems as if one is in a real painting. The leaves change colour from green to yellow, then to orange, red and brown, before falling off the trees. Walking through the woods tinged with a thousand colours is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful experiences to be had in Tuscany. The best time to admire the foliage is between the end of September and November.

Here are the places in Tuscany where nature puts on a show in autumn.

National Park of the Casentinesi Forests, Monte Falterona and Campigna

One of the most popular places in Tuscany to witness the foliage phenomenon is the Parco Nazionale delle Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona e Campigna, a true paradise for mountain and nature lovers. It covers about 36,000 hectares along the slopes of the Tuscan-Romagna Apennines, between the provinces of Arezzo, Florence and Forlì-Cesena. Here, thanks to the countless varieties of trees, it is possible to enjoy all the colours of autumn. The most suggestive point from which to observe the foliage is the summit of Monte Penna above the Foresta della Lama: it offers a breathtaking view of an immense expanse of coloured foliage. The same emotion can be experienced in the Foresta di Campigna and in the forest surrounding the Sanctuary of La Verna.

Garfagnana

Another place in Tuscany in which to immerse yourself in the colours of the foliage is the Garfagnana. This fascinating area, which extends into the province of Lucca, offers countless opportunities for those who love the outdoors. Its hills and mountains in the autumn season are coloured in a thousand shades. Among the absolute protagonists of this period are the dense chestnut forests and the small villages, which come alive with festivals and fairs. Not to be missed is the Orecchiella Park, a vast protected area extending between the municipalities of Piazza al Serchio, San Romano, Sillano and Villa Collemandina. In the park, one of the best views of the golden woods can be admired from the Verrucole Fortress. Also in Garfagnana, the village of Isola Santa and the Hermitage of Calomini are worth a visit.

Mount Amiata

Another special place in Tuscany to enjoy foliage is Mount Amiata, the ancient extinct volcano that attracts many nature-loving tourists from Italy and abroad. The woods around the mountain stretch between Maremma and Val d’Orcia, in the provinces of Grosseto and Siena. Here in the autumn season the scenery is breathtaking. The area hides many paths that cross vast centuries-old chestnut groves and then give way to splendid beech woods, always enveloped in the typical colours of autumn. In the area it is also possible to visit enchanting villages such as Abbadia San Salvatore and Santa Fiora that, from September to November, host festivals and fairs dedicated to the flavours of the forest.

Mugello

Finally, you cannot miss the Mugello valley, whose territory extends a few kilometres from the city of Florence. It is one of the most beautiful if least explored areas in Tuscany. Here, too, the woods are tinged with thousands of shades of yellow, orange and red. Particularly fascinating in the autumn period is the Sentiero dei Seccatoi (also suitable for families with children), which crosses one of the most evocative chestnut groves in the Giogo-Casaglia Park. Staying on the theme, we also recommend a visit to the chestnut groves of Marradi, in Alto Mugello.