The Fucecchio Marshlands are the largest inland wetlands in Italy, covering approximately 2,000 hectares. This protected area is home to more than 200 bird species and a remarkably rich variety of flora. Along the marsh’s edges, thanks to the network of trails, you can enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities such as birdwatching, hiking, and bike tours.
Itinerary
The large loop around the Fucecchio Marshlands is about 20 kilometres long and runs mostly along dirt roads and embankments, with only a few hundred meters on asphalt. The starting point is the Capannone Customs House, which since the 1500s has served as a customs station, warehouse, boat depot, and residential and commercial space. Today, it houses the Documentation Center on the Fucecchio Marsh Massacre. Along the route, in addition to the typical wetland natural features, you’ll find stilt houses, tabernacles, and buildings once used for various purposes, such as the old tobacco-drying facility known as the Tabaccaia. In the Righetti Area—located in the northernmost part of the Fucecchio Marsh Nature Reserve and accessible only by guided tour—you’ll find two wildlife observatories perfect for spotting a great variety of water birds during the spring migration.
Nearby
Fucecchio Marsh Research, Documentation, and Promotion Center; Le Morette Observatory; Righetti Area
Distance
22,7 km
Dislivello
237 m
Difficulty
Hiking: moderate (due to length)
Bike: easy