Metato between cave discoveries and hiking trails

Metato lies at the foot of a spur of Monte Prana and combines its location close to the mountains with cave discoveries, historical sites and several trails. Buca del Tasso is located near the hamlet of Metato in the municipality of Camaiore, at an elevation of 415 metres. Depending on your interests, you can explore Metato through its cave discoveries, historical sites and trails.

Caves with archaeological traces

The fossilised thigh bone of a child approximately nine years old was found in Buca del Tasso; anthropological examination assigned it to Homo neanderthalensis. For visitors interested in cultural history, it is not only the cave that is relevant here, but also the specific anthropological identification of the find.

Grotta della Fibula is a cave on the left bank of the Rio dei Colli below the village of Metato. A bronze fibula of the “Certosa” type was found inside it; it is attributed to the culture of the Apuan Ligurians and dated to the 4th to 3rd century BC.

Grotta del Tambugione opens above Metato on the western slope of Monte Ciurlaglia, just beyond the dello Schizzolino quarry. Human bones, pottery fragments, stone tools and animal remains were found in the Grotta del Tambugione near Metato. Together with Buca del Tasso and Grotta della Fibula, this means that three cave sites with different archaeological connections are at the centre of attention.

Historical sites in Metato

Metato is home to the 18th-century church of Santa Maria Assunta. There is also a small wayside shrine in Metato built by the Benassi family in the 17th century. Anyone wishing to combine culture and local history can include these two sites in their personal travel plans alongside the cave discoveries.

Trails for different types of tours

There are several different trails for active days. The route from Metato to Rifugio Paolo Barsi follows a paved road through the forest to Località Falcigoli. Trail C7 leads downhill from the car park below the village of Metato along a mule track to the turn-off for Castello di Montecastrese. Castello di Montecastrese is a fortress on a hill near the small village of Lombrici.

Trail CAI 104 is rated difficulty level E; however, some sections are very steep, without exposed sections. When comparing different tour requirements, you should consider the E rating together with the steepness of individual sections. The circular route via Metato, Monte Ciurlaglia, Focetta San Vincenzo and Casa Mutoro starts and ends at the car park in Metato, at an elevation of 393 metres.

Orientation and personal travel planning

At the end of the road is Piazza Fratelli Ceragioli, with a bus stop and a sufficiently large car park. From a turn-off shortly before Lombrici, it is 3.3 kilometres to Metato. When choosing accommodation, you can consider these starting points together with your preferred focus: cultural attractions are located in the village or in the cave areas, while the trails start near Metato, at the car park below the village or at the circular route’s car park. This keeps your accommodation decision aligned with your personal daily plans.

Compare other destinations

If you would like to compare other places for your travel planning, you can find Orbicciano, Fibbialla, Valpromaro Di Camaiore, Santa Lucia, Greppolungo, Gombitelli, Pedona and Capezzano Pianore here.

For the higher-level travel overview: Camaiore.