Revised August 26, 2026
Discovering Tuscany’s Garfagnana region was my first female solo trek. It all started with a dare from a girlfriend during the summer of 2017. After a fantastic family holiday in Costa Rica, I decided I wanted to try something completely different—a solo hiking vacation in Europe.
I dreamed of walking for hours through the Italian countryside, surrounded by mountains and small villages. After a lot of research, I chose a weeklong hiking adventure in Garfagnana in northern Tuscany. Six weeks later, I was flying to Italy for my first Female Solo Trek. I had no idea we would hike 65 miles in six days.
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Why Did I Choose a Solo Hiking Trip?
No one in my family is particularly interested in hiking. During their childhoods, my kids considered Mom’s desire to hike five to 10 miles through the woods a little odd. My daughter Claire jokingly described one of our walks along the C&O Canal as “The Forced March.”
But I loved to hike. Since I was traveling alone, I decided to join an organized hiking tour to meet other active travelers and explore with a guide.
Garfagnana looked completely different from the Tuscany I knew from photographs. Instead of rolling vineyards and cypress trees, I would be hiking among the dramatic peaks of the Apuan Alps and Apennines. This was exactly the adventure I wanted.
How Did We Prepare for Our First Hike?
The next morning, we were up by 7 am for an early start. Breakfast consisted of homemade bread, hard-boiled eggs, fresh fruit, and oatmeal—which the Brits call porridge. My passion was the homemade blackberry preserves that I slathered on my wheat toast. The chilly Tuscan air gave me a big appetite.
Sara instructed us to pack our own lunches. We made sandwiches with rustic bread and cheese and added salad, plums, and cake. The menu changed daily. Then we filled our water bottles, grabbed our backpacks, collected our Black Diamond poles, and prepared for our first hike in Garfagnana Tuscany.
What Was It Like to Hike Monte Prado?
Sara changed our itinerary due to the threat of bad weather later in the week. She didn’t want us to miss the extraordinary mountaintop views if rain or fog rolled in. Instead, we headed to Appennino Tosco-Emiliano National Park for our first hike toward Monte Prado, the highest mountain in Tuscany at 2,054 meters. There were a few groans when Sara announced the plan.
From the second I arrived at Casone, a small ski area, I felt exhilarated. I imagined myself as an Italian version of Maria from The Sound of Music. These were my beech woods to explore for the next six days. The tall mountain peaks in the distance were mine to conquer.
I was finally living my dream of hiking in Italy.
Continue Your Tuscany Adventure
There is so much more to discover in northern Tuscany, from rural Italian life to historic walled cities. Here are three adventures I recommend:
- Stay at a Tuscany Agriturismo — Discover what it’s like to live on a working farm, share communal meals, and experience rural Italian life at an Italian agriturismo.
- Hike Italy in the Fall — Explore more of my favorite Italian walking and trekking experiences during autumn.
- Explore the Walled City of Lucca — Wander Renaissance walls, medieval streets, historic churches, and piazzas in nearby Lucca.
FAQs
Where is Garfagnana in Tuscany?
Garfagnana is a mountainous region in northern Tuscany, north of Lucca. It lies between the Apuan Alps and the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. The landscape of mountains, forests, and small villages feels very different from the rolling hills and vineyards commonly associated with Tuscany.
Is Garfagnana worth visiting?
Yes. Garfagnana is ideal for travelers who want to experience a quieter and more rural side of Tuscany. I particularly loved its mountain scenery, beech forests, hiking trails, and relative lack of crowds.
Is hiking in Garfagnana difficult?
It can be. Our hikes lasted six to eight hours, and some included steep climbs and descents. My first hike included a strenuous 740-meter descent that challenged my right knee. Good hiking shoes, trekking poles, and preparation for hills are important.
Can solo travelers join a guided hiking tour in Garfagnana?
Yes. I booked my Garfagnana hiking vacation with Exodus Travels because I wanted the independence of traveling solo without having to hike alone in remote mountains. Our guide planned the routes, watched the weather, and accompanied our group on the trails. For me, a guided hiking tour offered both companionship and reassurance if I fell or needed help.
How many days do you need in Garfagnana?
I spent a week in Garfagnana and hiked for six days. This gave me enough time to experience different trails and mountain landscapes without changing accommodations. Travelers who aren’t planning a dedicated hiking vacation could spend two or three days exploring the countryside and nearby villages.
Final Thoughts
My dream of becoming a rugged solo woman traveler was finally a reality. And all those calorie-laden plates of pasta, pizza, and panzanella felt guilt-free when we were hiking for six to eight hours each day.
But the mountains quickly tested me. My right knee hurt badly during that strenuous first hike. I hadn’t sufficiently strengthened my glutes for the difficult 740-meter descent. Thankfully, Sara applied RockTape to my knee. I soon matched Elvis, our strongest mountain climber, with my Dalmatian-patterned tape.
By day four, my knee pain had vanished. The mountains had not defeated me!
