We had not been walking for ages, so we specifically chose this walk as it would not be a massive climb! It was also late summer and we thought that it would be too hot to walk under the sun, how wrong we were. It ended up being quite cold at that altitude in early September.
We were not fit, but we love walking in the Apuane Alps and we were reasonably prepared. The start of this trail is about one and a half hours drive from where we live at sea level, although I was in charge of the navigation, so it took longer!
Passo Faciomboli (1282m) can nearly be accessed by car along a narrow road with rough sections after Passo Croce. We parked around 500 down a rocky road from Faciomboli.
Our aim was to walk to Rifugio Del Freo (1180m), which is a wonderful place near the Foce of Mosceta (1190m), which is an important pass between the spectacular mountains of Pania Della Croce(1858m) and Monte Corchia (1677m).
I had been to the Rigugio del Freo and Mosceta previously, but from a different valley which was much more of a climb. Today was going to be an easy walk through the woods around Monte Corchia. The altitude difference from the Rifugio Del Freo from where we left the car was only small, so we could manage.
There was a sign where we parked the car, suggesting a walk time of 1 hour 30 minutes to Rifugio Del Feo. Only a few minutes later, at Passo Faciomboli, a sign said 1 hour 10 minutes. So, we averaged the two at 1 hr 20 minutes. I’m happy to say that we kept to that time both ways.
We encountered no walkers on the way there, but a few on the way back. As usual, Rigugio Del Freo was quite busy, although it was unexpectedly closed. We had brought some provisions, but we had been hoping for a cooked meal!
People are generally so kind in the mountains. One particular large group of people offered us an Italian coffee with a drop of Sambuca. Then everybody left and it was an amazing feeling to be alone in the Apuane mountains.
We did not want to hang around too long at Rifugio Del Freo, as it was mid afternoon and the temperature was quite low out of the sun. We were also conscious of not running the risk of losing the light in the woods on the way back.
It was a great walk, highly recommended. But make sure you are prepared for the conditions and have good boots!
We have done a few walks in the Apuane Alps, please see our Hiking Playlist:
th-cam.com/play/PLlvbnGk5HXnbSre1IqIFsaPYDvOYC2z5a.html&si=CVIVRyQoIyJ_vhO6
Rifugio Del Freo website: mattiarobertokleps.wixsite.com/website
All Trails - Passo Faciomboli to Rifugio del Freo: www.alltrails.com/it-it/sentiero/italy/tuscany/passo-di-fociomboli-rifugio-del-freo
My hiking boots are Kayland, with Vibram soles and Gore-Tex lining (Amazon): amzn.to/3ZuM2vx
We were using a GoPro for the filming (Amazon): amzn.to/3Ng5pRP
The cap that I wearing (Amazon):amzn.to/3ZttjR0
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#apuanalps
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#hiking
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