Welcome to Hooked on Walking Holidays and our walking holidays in Italy. This particular hiking vacation in Italy is a easy self guided walking holiday starting directly in Pisa which is serviced by many low cost airlines. This self guided walking holidays we have graded as a level 1-2 walking tour. You will walk directly from Pisa with its miracle square with Leaning Tower and Cathedral and quaint cobbled streets into the surrounding countryside. You walks will be the the Monti Pisani hills a short distance from the city. Staying in lovely very Italian styled bed and breakfast accommodation you will experience true Italy. Your destination is the walled city of Lucca only 20 minutes by train to Pisa. Lucca with its mainly car free centre is a gem to explore , you can walk or rent a cycle and take an excursion on top of the 5 km city walls . This walking holiday is a ideal first walking holiday , all walks are easy and will not take that long the complete giving you ample time to enjoy the Italian hospitality.

Available daily 24th April - 10th October
Level 1-2 self guided walking tour
4 or 7 night tour available.

Day 1 Arrival in Pisa.
Arrival at Pisa airport which is only ten minutes distance from the centre of Pisa; that means that your tour starts almost immediately after landing! Of course Pisa is known best for it’s leaning tower in Miracle Square, but besides the cultural and artistic sights it’s a very pleasant city with cosy squares, narrow alleys and the river Arno running through it.

Day 2 From Pisa to Calci. Walking time 4.5 hours up 320m down 200m
The first part of the tour runs through the flatlands of the delta of the river Arno, along the aqueduct from Pisa to the Monti Pisani. The Pisan Mountains contain lots of wells and the aqueduct provided the city, from the late 16th century onwards, with fresh water, at that time a luxury in the swampy flatlands. The 6 km. hike along the aqueduct, that gradually gets higher, is a fascinating preamble to the mountains. Once there, the walk proceeds over the sunny slopes, covered with olive orchards and forests, leading to the small village Calci.
Overnight stay and breakfast in an old ‘podere’ in the midst of the olive orchards, where Caterina rules the roost, you will fall in love with here! There is an excellent restaurant around the corner of you accommodation.

Day 3 Calci. Walking time circular walk ( 7 night tour only ) 2.5-4 hours , up/down 365m, up 730m with Mount Faeta
Today an optional round trip over the slopes around the charming village Calci. Going up, passing through olive orchards, forests of cork oak and pine trees, the Mount Faeta (831) can be ‘climbed’ from where on a clear day the isle of Corsica and the Ligurian coastline can be seen. The vegetation reveals the proximity of the sea; Mediterranean bushes are scenting in the warmth of the sun. Lodging is again in the cordial ‘podere’ of Caterina, full of atmosphere and history; for the ones that planned to have a rest this day it will be a delight spending time in and around this Agriturismo.

Day 3 from Calci to Buti Walking time 5 hours up 650m down 630m (4 night tour)
Day 4 From Calci to Buti. Walking time 3.3 - 4 hours up 350 down 370m (7 night tour)
From Calci the walk goes further upwards along the Mount Serra, the highest mountain of the area. On a clear day the view on the flatlands below is impressive; The river Arno winds it’s way towards the sea, the famous tower seems to fall over and further south in the rolling Tuscan hills the contours of Volterra can be perceived. Pine trees and chestnut forests. Overnight stay in a lovely B&B in the centre of the little village. A restaurants nearby.

Day 5 Buti. optional circular walks ( 7 night tour only ).  Walking time 2.5- 4.5 hours up/down 180/380m
This day’s walk offers an optional round trip over the slopes of the mountains leading tothe beautiful mediaeval village Vicopisano. This fortress, situated at the foot of the mountains, there two rivers meet, was once of great strategic importance for Pisa. Towers, walls, palaces, churches...; it’s like going back in time.

Day 4 (4 night tour)
Day 6 (7 night tour) From Buti to Serra di Sotto and onto Lucca. Walking time 2.5-3.75 hours up 560m
Serra di Sotto is situated under the highest mountain of the area, the Monte Serra. From Buti, a walk leads firstly upwards, first through olive orchards then through the woods. A longer variant first leads around the valley of Buti then joining the track that goes climbs. Pine trees and chestnut forests alternate until arrival at the beautifully situated Agriturismo in Serra di Sotto. Since the Agriturismo is situated in the midst of the woods, dinner is included this evening.

Day 5 Departure on 4 nights tour
Day 7 on 7 night tour -  Lucca
This graceful little town is known for it’s oval square, but in whole it’s a small pearl in a beautiful setting, inviting for aimless strolling through alleys admiring its palaces, churches and squares.

Day 8 Lucca – Departure.
Departure after breakfast. From Lucca, a train runs back to Pisa / Pisa Airport in about 20 minutes. It’s advised though to prolong the stay in Lucca with at least a day, since it’s really lovely!

Difficulty: Level 1-2 walking tour. Walks of between 2.5 and 5.5 hours, with climbs on average at around 400m.

Accommodation: Very nice authentic Italian bed and breakfasts, small family hotels and agritourism’s.Nights in Calci are likely to be with shared bathrooms but the character of the property and the hosts make this a must property to stay in.

2010 Prices

How to get there
Fly to Pisa and a short train, bus or taxi ride to your accommdation.

click below to view our
Cycling Holidays in Italy

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