Autumn Foliage in Mugello: A Guide to Autumn Walks along the Trails of Tuscany

When autumn arrives in the Tuscan hills, the Mugello region is transformed into an extraordinary palette of colours. Amidst shades of warm colours, the Apennine woodlands offer one of the region’s most captivating natural wonders: the foliage, the autumnal phenomenon during which the leaves on trees change colour, shifting from green to shades of yellow, orange, red, ochre, brown and plum.

For those looking for a destination near Florence for a revitalising walk, a weekend immersed in nature or simply a panoramic view to photograph, this area offers routes that will enchant you at every turn.

In the heart of the Mugello Apennines, the Passo del Giogo area is one of the most picturesque vantage spots. The forest is home to a wide variety of trees — including beech, chestnut, maple and oak — which change colour at different times, ensuring a prolonged display of colour throughout the month of November.

As you set off along the path leading to the historic Badia di Moscheta, you’ll find yourself walking alongside the Vallecchia stream, immersed in a magical setting. The reflection of the foliage on the water and the rustling of the leaves make this route ideal both for those seeking photo opportunities and for those looking for a relaxing walk surrounded by silence.

For those who prefer a gentler, flat walk with no elevation changes, the countryside around San Piero a Sieve holds a little gem. The Convento del Bosco ai Frati, nestled amongst a forest of oaks and Turkey oaks which take on warm, enveloping hues in autumn, offers a route that combines the pleasures of nature with cultural discovery.

The Franciscan convent, founded before the year 1000 and rebuilt in the 15th century by Michelozzo on commission from Cosimo the Elder de’ Medici, is a place where the simplicity of the Franciscan style blends with the elegance of the Florentine Renaissance. As well as bequeathing this architectural masterpiece to the community, the Medici family enriched the building with precious vestments and a well-stocked library.

After strolling amongst the park’s centuries-old trees, it is well worth stopping off at the convent — one of the oldest in Tuscany and particularly dear to the Medici family — to visit the church of San Bonaventura, the charming cloister and to admire the famous wooden Crucifix attributed to Donatello, housed in the small museum of sacred art next door.

Heading further up towards the Upper Mugello, you enter the realm of centuries-old chestnut woods. The valleys around Palazzuolo sul Senio and Marradi are famous for producing the renowned IGP chestnuts, but with the arrival of November they transform the entire landscape into a veritable period painting.

As you follow the paths leading up to the ridges on the border between Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, the view takes in entire valleys coloured in shades of orange and rust. The best way to experience this area is to combine a walk through the woods with a stop in one of the mountain villages, to warm up with a plate of chestnut tortelli or polenta with porcini mushrooms at the end of your hike.

The Mugello side of the Casentinesi Forests National Park, accessible from Londa or by heading up towards the Calla and Consuma passes, is home to some of Europe’s oldest beech forests, parts of which have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In this mountainous corner, autumn reaches its peak. Walking beneath the centuries-old beech forests is like walking through a natural tunnel where the trees filter the sunlight and the ground is carpeted with fallen leaves. The network of trails offers options for all levels, from short circular walks to more challenging treks along the Apennine ridge.

Whether you choose a hike through the centuries-old chestnut groves of Giogo, a walk along the ridges of the Apennines or a gentle stroll around Bosco ai Frati, the autumn colours in Mugello are much more than just a visual spectacle. They are an invitation to slow down, to follow the rhythm of the seasons and to rediscover a region where nature, history and tranquillity coexist in perfect harmony.

After a day spent on the trails, soaking up the autumn atmosphere, returning to the warmth of a Tuscan farmhouse rounds off an unforgettable experience. Explore the Collichiari properties to find the ideal spot for your next autumn getaway.

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