Piegaio Alto: Camellia Garden, Hiking Trails and History

Piegaio Alto is a historic settlement situated halfway up the slope on the left side of the Pedogna in the municipality of Pescaglia. The history of the village includes its historical origins and morphology. Historic routes and buildings are also part of the settlement's structure.

Il Bosco delle Camelie in the Apuan Alps

A special natural attraction is the Il Bosco delle Camelie garden. It is located in Piegaio Alto in the Apuan Alps at an altitude of 400 metres and is surrounded by dense chestnut forests. The garden currently contains 1,200 camellias across approximately 25,000 square metres and also cultivates 200 varieties of magnolia. This gives plant enthusiasts a clearly defined subject for their visit, combining camellias and magnolias with the woodland landscape of the Apuan Alps.

Il Bosco delle Camelie is divided into 14 beds. Paths and trails connect these garden areas and are designed for use throughout the year. Visitors are asked to leave cars and minibuses in the municipal car park.

Hiking Trails Through Lanes and Countryside

Piegaio Alto is also connected to two different routes. One section of the SCL leads downhill from Buriana to Piegaio Alto. The SCL passes via a staircase and through an arch into the village lanes, then continues towards Solcino.

Another out-and-back route leads from Piegaio Alto to Pescaglia through gardens and olive groves, passing the old village of Piazzanello. The hike is considered easy, takes around four hours of actual walking time and covers approximately 300 metres of ascent and descent. For day planning, the approximately four hours should be understood as walking time only; breaks are additional. The return to Piegaio Alto is part of the route described.

Church, Art and Festive Tradition

The Church of San Bartolomeo in Piegaio is part of the area's history. It dates from the 13th century and was remodelled in the 17th century. The church contains a painting by Simone Carretta dated 1536. It depicts the Madonna and Child together with Saints Bartholomew and John the Baptist. The parish of Piegaio is dedicated to the Apostle Bartholomew; his feast is celebrated on 24 August.

A culinary highlight is the Festa della Zucca, the pumpkin festival in Piegaio. The Festa della Zucca began in 2005; one edition was referred to as the 17th edition. The festival serves various pumpkin dishes, including fried pumpkin, pasta, lasagne, risottos and desserts. At the Festa della Zucca, pumpkin appears in several forms, from fried dishes to desserts.

Other Places for Trip Planning

Other places for trip planning: Villa A Roggio, Fiano Pescaglia, Celle, Fondagno, Piegaio Basso, Pascoso, Gello and Ansana.

For the overarching travel overview: Pescaglia.