CAI Trail 231: from Serravalle to Castellina - Visit Serravalle
Castellina - Visit Serravalle
Routes / Out of town

CAI Trail 231: from Serravalle to Castellina

History and scenery

Serravalle Pistoiese
Castellina

 

Home / Routes / CAI Trail 231: from Serravalle to Castellina

Routes
Out of town
Serravalle Pistoiese
Castellina
Length
3,8 km

An itinerary through centuries-old olive groves, small villages steeped in history, and ancient paths that once connected the rural communities of the Montalbano hills.

CAI Trail 231 starts at the Passo di Serravalle Pistoiese (132 m a.s.l.), easily accessible by bus, and ends in Castellina, which is also served by public transportation. It is a moderately difficult route, with a 300-meter elevation gain and a walking time of about 1 hour and 40 minutes one way.

From the pass, a small concrete staircase leads to a rising path toward the historic centre. The route passes the Church of Santo Stefano and the Town Hall, then opens onto the square in front of the Rocca Nuova. From there, turn right onto Via della Pace, which climbs gently through cultivated fields and olive groves, until you reach a crossroads marked by an iron cross and a carved stone.

Continuing right, the road becomes unpaved, soon reaching the area known as Serrina Bassa. The path then levels out, following a paved stretch that leads through the homes of Castellina. The itinerary ends in the village square, in front of the church and near an old spring with a washhouse—authentic remnants of rural life in the past.

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Stages Route

 
Iuri Niccolai_Serravalle Pistoiese

Serravalle Pistoiese

Serravalle Pistoiese
Castellina
TAPPA 1

Serravalle Pistoiese

Located among the hills of Montalbano, Serravalle Pistoiese was a strategic point contested by Pistoia, Lucca, and Florence. From the 12th century, it became a fortified stronghold, playing a key role in the conflicts between the Guelphs and Ghibellines. After a series of power struggles, it remained relatively peaceful from 1351 until the 16th century.
 
Rocca Nuova Visit Serravalle

New Fortress

Serravalle Pistoiese
TAPPA 2

New Fortress

The New Fortress, also called Rocca di Castruccio (after Castruccio Castracani, Duke of Lucca), is located at the western end of Serravalle, overlooking the Valdinievole. Built after the 1302 siege, it became a Lucchese defensive outpost against Florence. It features walls with walkways, watchtowers, and a rainwater cistern, crucial during sieges.
 

Castellina

Serravalle Pistoiese
Castellina
TAPPA 3

Castellina

Castellina, formerly known as Castellina Malazzani, has ancient origins linked to its strategic location near the Serravalle pass. In the 6th century, the Byzantines included it in a defensive line against the Lombards, with fortifications visually connected along the ridge. By 1382, the village was already fortified with walls and a stronghold. Today, it extends at the foot of the Romanesque Church of Saints Philip and James, preserving its medieval charm in its narrow alleys and steep streets.

Altri Routes: 
Serravalle Pistoiese
Castellina

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Serravalle Pistoiese
Castellina