Serchio Valley: a day trip off the beaten tourist track.
Serchio Valley: a day trip off the beaten track. Medieval bridges, stone villages and mountain cuisine: a one-day road trip through the mysterious Serchio Valley.
Following the course of the Serchio River northward from Lucca, a unique region unfolds, brimming with history, legends, and small villages nestled in the hills. This is the natural route that traces the gentle transition between the Lucca plain and the Garfagnana mountains—a perfect itinerary for those seeking authentic, quiet, and uncrowded Tuscany.
Suggested Itinerary: From Rio to the Heights in 1 Day
Morning: Departure from Lucca and the legend of the Devil's Bridge and the stone village of Coreglia Antelminelli. Lunch: Mountain cuisine at the top of Barga. Afternoon: Cultural exploration in Barga and return via Ghivizzano.
The Stops on the Itinerary
1. Magdalene Bridge (Devil's Bridge)
- Location: Borgo a Mozzano (20 km north of Lucca)
- Highlight: Medieval engineering and folklore
The first must-see stop is the impressive Ponte della Maddalena, popularly known as Devil's BridgeIts asymmetrical structure and bold central arch, erected in the 11th century by order of Countess Matilda of Canossa, have defied gravity for almost a thousand years. According to popular legend, the builder, desperate at not being able to finish the work on time, made a pact with the devil, promising the soul of the first person to cross the bridge.
Tip from someone who lives here: you can take beautiful photos of this bridge! Be amazed!
Magdalene Bridge (Devil's Bridge)
2. Coreglia Antelminelli
- Location: Eastern slope of the Serchio Valley
- Highlight: Stone village and mountain panorama
Leaving Borgo a Mozzano, go up the curves towards... Coreglia Antelminelli, officially listed among the Borghi più belli d'Italia (most beautiful villages in Italy). Made almost entirely of grey stone, the village offers narrow alleyways, absolute tranquility and the curious Museum of Plaster Statuettes (Museum of Plaster Figurines), an artifact of the region's emigrant craft tradition.
3. Barga: the heart of the valley
- Location: Panoramic hill overlooking the Serchio River
- Highlight: San Cristoforo Duomo and historic alleys
Climbing a little higher towards the mountains, you reach Barga, the cultural jewel of the valley. Its steep stone walkways cut through the preserved historic center and lead up to... Cathedral of San Cristoforo, at the highest point of the hill. From the top, the panoramic view of the Apuan Alps massif It's breathtaking. Barga also has a strong connection with Scotland, a result of 19th-century emigration, which guarantees a unique cultural atmosphere in Tuscany.
4. Final Parade: Ghivizzano Castle
- Location: Coreglia Antelminelli (on the descent to the main road)
- Highlight: Medieval military architecture
On the way back to Lucca, make a brief stop at Ghivizzano, a small village where the medieval castle and watchtower of Castruccio Castracani (former feudal lord of Lucca) remain preserved amidst the local residences.
Mountain Gastronomy: What to Try for Lunch
In the Serchio Valley, Tuscan cuisine abandons the mildness of the olive groves and takes on robust, mountainous notes:
- Farina di Neccio DOP: Local chestnut flour, used in the preparation of pasta, crepes (necci) and traditional sweets.
- Porcini Mushrooms & Truffles: Fresh mushrooms harvested from the forests of the Apuanã Mountains, served over handmade tagliatelle.
- Cheeses & Cured Meats: Pecorino aged in caves and the traditional Birolla (artisanal sausage from the region).
Tip from someone who lives here: Take your time driving along the SS12 state road, stopping at the small viewpoints along the Serchio River. If you're traveling during autumn, enjoy the chestnut festivals and the orange foliage that blankets the surrounding mountains.
These are just some of the places that make the province of Lucca so special. To experience the region at your own pace and from an insider's perspective, check out the e-book. LUCCA: far beyond the walls.