Trekking 1 – From Poggio della Pieve to Valle del Rimaggio
Type of route: unpaved, practical on footi, mountain bike or horse.
Duration: 2:30/2:45 hours Distance: 7,5 km
Difference in altitude: 180 m
This circular route starts at the “I Ponti” gardens in Bagno a Ripoli (GPS N Coord. 43°45’11” E 11″ 18’54”). From the parking lot across the street from the Casa Torricella, go up the gravel driveway until you reach the edge of the garden. Turn right on the path that runs along the back of the now overgrown sports field. From here the bell tower and apse of the Pieve di San Pietro a Ripoli can be admired. The path connects back to Via Vicinale del Poggio della Pieve, now just a simple path, which climbs up from the Church to a hill of the same name.
The old road, flanked by cypress trees, soon enters the forest as it continues its uphill trajectory. At the second junction take the right hand path. After a few steps the forest gives way to fields where you can enjoy an ample panoramic view of Sorgane, Pian di Ripoli and Florence.
Once reaching the top of the hill, on the right you can see the Belmonte complex (house and farm). Take a left towards the Rio Torto (Ritortoli) valley and you will be able to see the Baronti and Baroncelli hills just ahead of you. Monte Pilli, although farther out, can also be admired from this viewpoint. At the end of the descent, take the Via di Ritortoli to the left and continue across to take the Via dell’Eremo to the right.
As the road climbs you will pass Villa Minerva and many other interesting former farmhouses. Once having passed Villa dell’Eremo the path becomes nothing more than a grassy trail and soon reconnects with Via di Baroncelli. Follow this street to the right (Villa La Colombaia) until reaching the junction where you will see a large structure, the renovated Baroncelli farm (formerly called San Ferdinando).
Taking a left on the path you will wind through a series of fields until reaching Podere Centanni at the Villa Prosperi. Here you will also find the restored La Croce farmhouse (the old casa da signore), hidden at first glance by the greenery of the garden. In Croce a Varliano we can find the Oratorio della Santa Croce.
Crossing Via Roma and going down Via della Croce you will reach Rimaggino, a tiny village marked by the presence of several antique washing basins. After having crossed the bridge over the Rimaggio torrent, continue along Via della Croce. At the end of the climb you will find the tabernacolo di Rimaggino and the Il Gello farmhouse, and the view from the path will be dominated by the façade of the Villa Bellavista. Take a left onto Via di Vernalese and continue (passing through a few curves) until reaching Rimaggio. There you will be able to admire the century-old cypress from which the district takes its name.
Turning left on Via di Quarto we return towards the Villa del Taglia. Once having reached Rosai we go back down to Quarto, where the beautiful Church of Santa Maria overlooks Pian di Ripoli. Continue on until reaching Via F.lli Orsi and turn left onto Via Roma to reach the gardens where this journey ends.
This post is also available in: Italian
