Some of the major monuments of historical importance of the area are concentrated along this itinerary, among which the most remarkable is the abbey of Vallombrosa. If you’re not short of time, the visit to the abbey is worth a whole day.

Starting points
From Pelago: the hamlet of Tosi
From Reggello: the hamlet of Pietrapiana
From the floor of the valley of the river Arno: the hamlet of Donnini. Our description will follow this hypothesis.
Leave Donnini, following the provincial road climbing up towards the mountain of Vallombrosa, with distant views to the left. The first remarkable building along this section is Villa Grottanelli (today transformed into tourist accommodation), building standing in a strategic position and incorporating structures of the late Medieval age. From its garden, it is possible to admire the imposing facade of the late 19th century.

Hamlets of charcoal traders and woodcutters
You’ll soon get to the hamlet of Tosi, famous for the production of quality pieces of furniture.
From Tosi, a short detour to Ràggioli, a hamlet clinging to the mountainside where you can visit a small museum displaying items concerning the life in the surrounding woods (Museo della Civiltà del Bosco).
Retrace to Tosi and start the ascent to Vallombrosa, going through the forest.

Vallobrosa and Saltino
The famous Abbey stands at the end of a wide road sided by tall trees and its visit is a must.
The place deserves more attention, with chances to walk along the Circuit taking in the chapels surrounding the abbey, visit the plant collections (Arboreti sperimentali) and take a stroll in the marvellous Forest.
But even if you’re short of time, after a quick visit to the abbey, do not skip a stop at the village of Saltino, a tourist resort not far away. This resort developed between the 19th and 20th centuries, as the style of many imposing hotels and villas still witness today.

Arfoli and Bonsi, two hidden treasures
From Saltino, proceed along the steep downhill road towards Pitrapiana; then take the road to Donnini, follow it for a while and then take a road branching to the left. You soon get to the Romanesque pieve of S. Agata a Arfoli. After visiting the church, take a narrow road leading North, towards the neo-gothic castle of Bonsi, well worth a stop.
From the castle, take uphill towards the provincial road, eventually leading to San Donato in Fronzano, in a panoramic location.

The Pieve at Pitiana
The road now offers a remarkable landscape along all its length: olive trees are spread all over the surrounding hills and it is not mere coincidence that the best olive oil comes from here.
Once at Pieve a Pitiana (possibly at dusk), the view is really great: below in the valley farm land, olive groves and woods and, further away, the hills separating this area from the Chianti. The pieve and the works of art it houses deserves a visit.