Renaio among mountain trails, chestnut groves and the Via dei Remi

Renaio lies at an altitude of around 1,000 metres and overlooks the valley of the Corsonna mountain stream.

Hiking trails between Renaio and the Apennines

CAI hiking trail 20 leads from Renaio via Vetricia and Pian Caciaia to Porticciola. It lies in the Apennine group of the Monti Omo and Giovo and runs from 1,010 metres at Renaio up to 1,750 metres at Porticciola. These elevations provide a clear indication of the character of the route: the trail connects the village with a significantly higher mountain landscape and passes through different elevation zones of the Apennines.

Another signposted hiking trail begins at the car park in Renaio and leads to the village of Cima Abetaio in about half an hour. The route passes by the Chiesa di San Paolino. Wooden arrows and information boards mark the way; the boards list the names of the trees and their trunk circumferences.

Chestnuts, forests and excursions

The area around Renaio is characterised by extensive chestnut groves and coppice forests and is associated with mushroom gathering. Particularly striking is the high concentration of centuries-old chestnut trees in a small area. These trees are classified as monumental trees and have very large trunk circumferences. The landscape can therefore be explored not only through the distant views over the Corsonna Valley, but also through the ancient trees and forest structures around the village.

In the immediate vicinity of Renaio lies the Rifugio Alpino Giovanni Santi at an altitude of 1,308 metres in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, within a beech forest. From Renaio, it is also possible to organise excursions to Monte Giovo and Lago Santo Modenese, both of which are interesting from a natural-history and scenic perspective.

The Via dei Remi and its history

The historic Via dei Remi passes through Renaio, climbs up to the church and descends to the Piana. There it divides into the Vecchia Via dei Remi and the Nuova Via dei Remi. The Nuova Via dei Remi continues uphill from the Piana di Renaio towards Vetricia, where it coincides with the present-day municipal road. This first leads to Sasso a Perchio and then to Vetricia.

The Via dei Remi was used primarily during the 16th and 17th centuries. Long beech poles and fir trunks were transported by oxen from the Apennine slopes of the Garfagnana and from forests on the other side of the ridge, including those near Cutigliano and Abetone, to a large shed called the Arsenale.

San Paolino and local memory

The Oratorio di San Paolino was built in 1771 as a single-nave church without a transept. Its gabled façade has a loggia with three arches leading into the church. The Chiesa di San Paolino also features an ornate memorial plaque bearing eight names commemorated in memory of the First World War.

Renaio's religious tradition includes the Quarantore, traditionally celebrated on the third Sunday in September.

Further destinations: Torre, Viareggio, Castiglione di Garfagnana, Pescaglia, Seravezza, Minucciano, Gallicano, Casatico

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