What to see in Lunigiana, from easy visits to mountain walks
By the TravelCheap Editorial Team · Updated October 28, 2026
The two sights not to miss are the prehistoric stele statues in Pontremoli's Piagnaro castle and the Malaspina castle of Fosdinovo. For an easy day, the Abbey of San Caprasio in Aulla and the walled village of Filetto are mostly flat.
Most castles stand on hills, so expect a climb. The mountain lakes and the Via Francigena are there if you want a full walking day.
Easy visits (mostly flat)
- Abbey of San Caprasio, Aulla: founded in 884 on the Via Francigena. The saint's tomb was found in 2003, and the museum covers pilgrims and abbey life (Museum and Abbey of San Caprasio (Regione Toscana), Aulla (Visit Tuscany)).
- Aulla riverside path: 665 m, lit and accessible, opened in June 2025 (Aulla (Visit Tuscany)).
- Filetto: a walled village with two gates and woodland next to it (Ten Lunigiana villages not to miss (Finestre sull'Arte)).
- Bagnone: the lower Borgo runs along the stream; the upper part climbs to the castle (Ten Lunigiana villages not to miss (Finestre sull'Arte)).
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Compare car rentals at PisaModerate: hills and castle steps
| Sight | What it is | Practical |
|---|---|---|
| Museo delle Statue Stele, Pontremoli | About 80 sandstone stele figures from the 4th to 1st millennium BC, in the Piagnaro castle | Listed as open 9:30 to 17:30 daily; tel. 0187 831439. The castle sits on a hill above the town. |
| Malaspina castle, Fosdinovo | Frescoed rooms, the "Dante room" and a ghost legend | Guided tours €5 to €10, slots 11:00 to 17:00; weekends only in winter |
| Fortezza della Brunella, Aulla | 16th-century hilltop fortress with the Lunigiana natural history museum | Limited opening; check before you go |
| Mulazzo | Village linked by tradition to Dante, with a Dante museum | Hill village |
| Grotte di Equi | Show cave in the Apuan Alps geopark | Tour of about 50 minutes plus a museum |
Sources: Museum of the Lunigiana stele statues (Visit Tuscany), Museo delle Statue Stele Lunigianesi (Italia.it), Malaspina castle of Fosdinovo (Visit Tuscany), Guided tours, Castello di Fosdinovo, The Brunella fortress (Visit Tuscany), Ten Lunigiana villages not to miss (Finestre sull'Arte) and Equi caves geo-archaeological park (Visit Tuscany). The stele museum added a new display of excavation finds on 27 September 2026 (The stele museum renews its displays (Ministero della Cultura)).
Walks and hikes
- Lagastrello, Paduli and Squincio lakes: about 2 hours and 5.5 km, family-friendly (Five walks in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines (Visit Tuscany)).
- Passo della Cisa to Monte Valoria: about 1 hour. Brattello forest: about 2.5 hours (Five walks in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines (Visit Tuscany)).
- Trekking Lunigiana: 14 stages and about 250 km around the valley (Trekking Lunigiana (Terre di Lunigiana)).
- Via Francigena from Pontremoli to Aulla: 32.5 km and demanding, best split or done by fit walkers (Via Francigena in Lunigiana (Visit Tuscany)).
Frequently asked questions
What is Lunigiana famous for?
Its Malaspina castles, the prehistoric stele statues shown in Pontremoli, testaroli and chestnut flour, and the Via Francigena pilgrim route.
Can you visit Fosdinovo castle?
Yes, on guided tours costing €5 to €10, with slots from 11:00 to 17:00. In winter tours run on weekends only.
Are there easy walks in Lunigiana?
Yes. The Lagastrello lakes loop takes about 2 hours over 5.5 km, and Aulla has a flat, accessible riverside path.
Plan the trip
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More Lunigiana guides
Sources
- Museum and Abbey of San Caprasio (Regione Toscana)
- Aulla (Visit Tuscany)
- Ten Lunigiana villages not to miss (Finestre sull'Arte)
- Museum of the Lunigiana stele statues (Visit Tuscany)
- Museo delle Statue Stele Lunigianesi (Italia.it)
- The stele museum renews its displays (Ministero della Cultura)
- Malaspina castle of Fosdinovo (Visit Tuscany)
- Guided tours, Castello di Fosdinovo
- The Brunella fortress (Visit Tuscany)
- Equi caves geo-archaeological park (Visit Tuscany)
- Five walks in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines (Visit Tuscany)
- Trekking Lunigiana (Terre di Lunigiana)
- Via Francigena in Lunigiana (Visit Tuscany)
Prices, timetables and trail status change. We checked the figures on this page on October 28, 2026. Found something out of date? Email contact@travelcheap.online.