Super Florence Mugello holiday
gave us also a great weather but on one occasion there were storms in most parts of the Mugello. I’m now wondering whether the same share of lightning befell this naturalistic sanctuary. After settling down at one of the rooms at Moscheta agriturismo, my wife Laura and I are eager to set out for La Serra – Mt Acuto – Gioganello loop trail.
In reality although I’m a keen hiker I have to take into account Laura’s needs for not going over certain limits but the description of the trail says “facile” easy , laura is not 100% convinced pointing out that the total length is of almost 10 km with a duration of 3h 40min which is not really peanuts but she trusts me and we are about to start.
Then I suddenly remember that today we had planned to have a gorgeous fiorentina for lunch to complete our super Florence Mugello holiday so we first go to Dante’s restaurant to order. Dante’s buoyant eyes blink at an unquestionable reminder in the form of a plaque hanging outside the restaurant “non prendiamo ordini per fiorentine cotte. Bisogna rispettare la tradizione – we don’t take orders for overcooked T-bone steaks.
We need to stick to tradition”. Actually I know that even medium rare wouldn’t be accepted but I reassure Dante with a thumb up, only I tell him that I’d love to try the Chianti Rufina Frascole reserve which Carmen advised me to try on a wine tasting tour last year which should be good on the Fiorentina.
From the main square of Badia di Moscheta we take trail 713 for La Serra via Isola, who enters the Woods uphill as far as the spring dei Fossati, where you enter the forest road which with a steep climb leads to the La Serra refuge right on the Ridge, between the Valley of Rovigo and that of Firenzuola.
The hut was renovated recently and is well equipped to accommodate groups in self-management. From here on the left, always remaining on the path 713, go on to Giogarello; the trail climbs gradually up to Monte Acuto at about 1100 mt overlooking both valleys.
In about 50 minutes we reach the hamlet of Giogarello, now fully recovered for residential purposes. Just at the entrance of the hamlet a nice painted billboard invites hikers to buy local produce or to donate even 50 cents as all the money goes it says to maintain the dirt road leading to Gioganello. Turning left, but remaining on path713, begins the descent towards the beautiful Val d’inferno. From here taking on the left and following the signs for Moscheta we go down for another 40 minutes.
We find ourselves exactly in the same place where we left a few hours before. Laura had a few bad moments climbing up the steep ascent to the La Serra refuge. Again she was uneasy climbing the mount Acuto but all in all it went well. My cool geo tracker app says that we did it in 3H 10 mins.
We took excellent pictures at the panoramic view point on Mt Acuto and also at La Serra refuge. The trail is provided with good signage but the official red and white marks are almost deleted in some points. However one can to a certain extent rely on the fuchsia dots of the Mugello Ultra Trail. We come back just in time for a shower. The room is nice with a double bed set on a gallery which can be reached via a nice and stylish winding staircase.
On the way to our room at the agriturismo we come across a pageant of haflinger horses. They are orderly going back to their stable. This actually triggers a whim which Laura promptly tries to quench. She knows that last year she promised we would try the cavalcata notturna (horseback night ride). This would be the best way to end our unforgettable Florence Mugello holiday 2016