Isola Santa - Passo Croce - Puntato - Mosceta - Col di Favilla

A very beautiful and challenging tour of about 55 kilometers in which it is possible not only to enjoy particularly striking natural views, but also to pass through ancient settlements that are now semi-abandoned, such as Isola Santa, Puntato and Col di Favilla, worthy of fair interest.

From Castelnuovo di Garfagnana (m. 281) we take the provincial road of Arni and after about 12 kilometers arrive at Isola Santa (m. 555).We continue along the provincial road (on our right it is possible to admire the south face of the Sumbra and the Anguillaja and Fato Nero ditches) and in the locality of Tre Fiumi we follow the signs for Forte dei Marmi, cross the Cipollaio tunnel (m. 824; Km. 19) paying attention to the poor lighting and descend for about 3.7 kilometers (m. 620) near Terrinca.

A few hundred meters before the village, we turn left onto a wide, paved road that leads uphill (Km. 6.5 with an average gradient of 8%) and with numerous hairpin bends to Passo Croce (m. 1154; Km. 30 from the start).From this point the road becomes unpaved and continues alternating between steep and flat stretches with beautiful views of the northwestern rocky belt of Corchia, to the Fociomboli pass (m. 1280; Km. 31.9).

At this point we leave the road that continues to the right toward some of the Corchia quarries and, climbing over the ridge, begin to descend CAI trail No. 11 in the direction of Puntato.Having passed the Church of Puntato (m. 990; Km. 32.8), after about 5-600 meters at the junction with CAI trail No. 11 leading to Col di Favilla, we continue on trail No. 128. Here it is necessary to take the bike on the shoulder often for about 1.5 kilometers until we pass the Tana dell'Omo Selvatico where the path improves until it flows into the wide meadows below Pania della Croce.We are here at the head of the Canale delle Verghe, near the Foce di Mosceta, which we do not reach, but we bend right uphill, reaching the Rifugio Del Freo of the CAI of Viareggio (m. 1200; 36 km).

The place is very pleasant and deserves a stop for refreshment and to admire the majestic western slope of Pania della Croce. We start downhill again, cross a small bridge and pass near the Maestà near the Foce di Mosceta (m.1180), taking the path to Col di Favilla (CAI trail marker No. 9) following the orographic right side of the Canale delle Verghe. The trail offers a nice descent, in some sections a bit technical, so it is necessary in some sections to get off the bike. After ignoring the right fork for the Piglionico and crossing the canal, we arrive with a last uphill climb to the village of Col di Favilla (m. 958; km. 38.8). From here we follow trail No. 9 (very nice and technical) that takes us in a little more than 2 kilometers to the dam of Isola Santa Lake (m. 570; km 40.9). We cross the dam and return to Castelnuovo via SP. no. 13 (m. 281; 54.4 km).