Camping a'Zania

Start by exploring your immediate surroundings – a waymarked hiking trail starts just outside the site, and the popular ‘Le Rocchette’ climbing site is about 10 minutes’ drive or an hour’s walk away. A shorter trail of 15 minutes leads to the little church of Parrocchia Di Sant'Antonio In Alpe. Whichever you choose, tread quietly and you may well spot antelopes, owls and other wildlife as you walk or climb. A little further afield, there are more hikes at places like Monte Nome del Gesù and Piglionico (both 15 minutes’ drive) or around the Cascata "Della Pendolina” (40 minutes). Canyoning, caving and guided treks are available at Parco Avventura Levigliese (35 minutes), or you can get underground without scrambling at Grotta del Vento (45 minutes) to see stalactites and crystal-fringed subterranean lakes. To dip back into urban life you could take a wander around the ancient walls and fortress of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana (25 minutes) or head off to Lucca (an hour), an attractive place known as the 'city of a hundred churches’.