VALLE DELLE CARTIERE - GAINO

Leave the main road SS45 bis near the bridge in Toscolano and go into the “Valley of the Papermills”. Leave your car at the car park and continue on foot along the charming dirt road past the “Centro d’Eccellenza”⁽¹⁾ in Maina Inferiore and as far as the bridge at Maina Superiore, seat of the Trout Fishing Reserve. Proceed along the valley as far as Gatto. The path goes up on the right along an old cobbled street. Keep to the left when you reach the cement street for about 200 m. until you get to a votive shrine (20 mins.). Turn right to Via Giotto and after 50 m. right again into Via Donatello. Follow it on the right-hand side skirting the upper part of the historical centre and into the dirt lane of the “Morosini”and follow the ridge where you can enjoy an enchanting view of Gaino overlooking the lake. Continue downhill among olive groves along a path to the fork on the right which will take you down to Maina in the Valley of the Papermills. Turn left and follow the Toscolano river upstream on your right as far as the Centro d’Eccellenza (a visit is suggested) and walk back to the car park.

¹ Museum of the Paper on paper manufacturing. In 19 rooms situated in the basement, on the ground foor and on the first floor exhibit ancient machinery as well as historical documents. Multimedia equipment in the rooms allow you to penetrate the world of paper. You will also see the pestles, the vats, the retting vats, the presses and the rooms where the sheets were dried, sized, glazed and stacked. Of particular interest is the room where a former worker of the papermill shows how a paper sheet was produced.

TRAVEL: a piedi

DIFFICULTY: facile

DURATION: 1:30 ore

DISTANCE: 6 km

ALTITUDE: 220m