nearby
in walking distance
Of course, some people are happy to walk much further than others. But even if you do not intend to do a lot of walking, it is nice to know what is in reach in an emergency or when the others have taken the car and left you to read that book you cannot put down…
In the summer months, there are often people in the neighbouring houses at weekends. Within a kilometer, there are three houses at La Fogietta where locals come for weekends or more and one that is for sale, and rarely occupied. Two kilometers (mostly downhill) from the house brings you back to the chain at the entrance to the forest road. Here are two more occupied houses, and the start of the public road down to Piastroso. A similar distance uphill brings you to the Col di Bachionero, where there is the house of the shepherd, and where you pass over the shoulder of the hill to a view opening out southwest as far as Pisa on a clear day. From here there are other interesting rambles, towards La Ceritella, or up the mountain to enjoy the stunning views from Monte Giovo (1992m). See hill-walking for more on this.
From the chain a pleasant three-kilometer walk (downhill again) takes you to the Hamlet of Piastroso, with its bar and restaurant (“da Bepe”), specializing in funghi, mushrooms, particularly the local porcino mushroom.
So there are people within an accessible distance, even though the dominant impression at the mill is of tranquility and isolation, of the forest and the mountain, and of the rushing torrent.
local towns
There are two mediaeval hilltop towns nearby. Both are picturesque and worth visiting. The nearer, about 10 km away, is Coreglia Antelminelli, through which you almost certainly arrived. The old centre of Coreglia is a delightful maze of walking streets. There are two bars and a restaurant, post office and shops, and the camping site also has a restaurant. Coreglia has an annual mediaeval festival, and various other events.
The other side of the Ania valley is Barga, cultural hub of the area. It is only 2 km further from the mill. Barga boasts a theatre, at which there are a host of musical, operatic and other performances through the summer. The town is an arts centre, with many painters and craftsmen, including the famous Scottish artist, John Belany. The beautiful old town was a Medici centre, and has several interesting churches and an extraordinary cathedral. Both the old and new parts of the town have good restaurants, and a variety of shops. There is a constant stream of events and festas. You are likely to visit Barga more than once in your stay. shops
As already mentioned, there are a few shops in Coreglia (butcher, grocers, stationers and newsagents, etc.) and a wide range in Barga, including a 'Conad' minimarket. Barga also has a petrol station. For a bigger range of shops, go to the high street in Fornaci di Barga. Fornaci is in the valley below Barga, and can be reached through either Coreglia or Barga. There is a large supermarket (LeClerc) in Gallicano, just across the valley if you go down from the new town of Barga. Other shops are in Ponte al'Ania (between Fornaci and Piano di Coreglia). Fornoli has another supermarket. markets
There is a weekly street market in Barga, Fornaci, Gallicano. In Fornoli there are two market days (Tuesday and Friday). Further afield, there is a huge market every thursday in Castelnuovo di Garfagnana. other services
The local hospital is in Barga. Post offices are in Barga, Coreglia, Fornoli… Petrol stations in Barga, Piano di Coreglia, Fornoli, Mologno (on the way from Barga to Gallicano), Gallicano. LPG is available from the petrol station on the road south from Galicano.
