Discover Londa: Nature, Trails and Local Culture

Londa lies on the edge of the Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona e Campigna National Park. On the shore of the artificial Lago di Londa is the “L’Uomo e il Paesaggio” visitor centre. It focuses on the relationship between the natural landscape and the changes to the area caused by human intervention over the centuries. This makes it possible to understand the surroundings not only as a landscape, but also as the result of a long interaction between nature and people.

Landscape at Lago di Londa

The visitor centre has a laboratory area equipped for educational purposes, a computer with an internet connection, a library and a binocular microscope. This equipment directs attention to close observation and to the question of how a landscape can be understood. Lago di Londa is also considered a destination for fishing.

Forest and trails for different day plans

The Foresta di Rincine is a model forest and part of an international network with more than sixty model forests worldwide. It has 26 kilometres of hiking and educational trails where you can explore the surroundings. For a clearly defined circular route, the Sentiero per Londa is a 12-kilometre circular hike. The two figures of 12 and 26 kilometres provide an initial point of reference when comparing different ways of walking and tailoring your day plan to your own interests.

Rocca, Piazza and traces of the past

The Londa trail includes the Rocca dei Conti Guidi. Piazza Umberto I is a natural amphitheatre and is often used for events and performances. A small hamlet is also home to a specific indication of a much older past: in the small hamlet of La Lastra there are rock engravings of Etruscan origin. These places and names offer different ways of experiencing Londa, without requiring you to commit to a single sightseeing format.

Local tradition and the September date

The Festa di Settembre brings together local life and regional produce. Its highlight is the presentation of the Pesca d’Argento award. It is given to the producer who submits the best crate of Pesca Regina, the late peach variety typical of this area. The Festa di Settembre is associated with the second weekend in September; its introduction dates back to the 1960s. If you are planning your trip around local traditions and culinary specialities, this timing is an important detail for your personal planning.

Travel arrangements and choosing your travel rhythm

Londa can be reached by intercity bus from Florence. Alternatively, you can take the train to Contea-Londa and then continue by bus. These two options make getting there a planning point in its own right: you can consider the direct bus connection from Florence or combine train and bus. Once there, you can arrange nature, trails, the lake, cultural sites and the Festa di Settembre around your preferred focus. A hotel in Londa can serve as a suitable search direction, while your specific choice depends on which of these themes are to shape your trip.

For further travel planning, you can also view Spedaletto, Sambuca, Le Quattro Strade, Fucecchio, Sesto Fiorentino, Romita, Paterno and Monterappoli.

For the overarching travel overview: Florence.