While writing this post a bad thing happened: the Marina di Grosseto’s pinewood area was victim to some arson attacks. We are shocked but we are confident in the valorous firemen’s job and we can easily say that there are no problems connected to your safety. So, enjoy Tuscan pinewoods and maybe visit these beautiful places!
Have you ever felt the need of a little shade after a whole morning spent bathing under the sun at one of Tuscany’s many beaches? There’s nothing like a pinewood near the sea to fight the heat of summer days in Tuscany!
In Tuscany, there are many coastal pinewoods located in various provinces – let’s go and discover them!
Massa Carrara
The province of Massa Carrara is better known for its natural parks located in the mountains (the Apuan Alps and the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines) than for its pinewoods, but there are some along the coast and you can find sites surrounded by nature just a few meters from the seaside. Two examples are Ronchi and Poveromo.
maritime pines in Massa Carrara's province - Photo by minimocomunemultiplo.lab on Flickr
Lucca
The coastal area, around Marina di Pietrasanta, is known as the famous Versiliana, which, in addition to having a large park, is also a major cultural center. Every summer there are concerts, operas and theater performances, as well as creative workshops for children and the historic Caffè della Versiliana.
From Viareggio to Torre del Lago, you will find a succession of pine forests: to the west there is the one in the center of town, which has stands, games for children, bicycles, and a picturesque pond with swans. The pine forest is crossed at the east of an Avenue and inside there are pubs and small venues in this large green area. There are paths leading to the sea, away from the traffic, which can be traveled by bike or on foot. This is also the Villa Borbone, where exhibitions and cultural activities take place. This pine forest leads to Torre del Lago Puccini.
Viareggio's pinewood - photo by MM571 on Flickr
Pisa
The Pisan coast stretching from Marina di Pisa, Tirrenia and up to Calambrone is full of pinewoods behind the beaches. Here you will find camping and many shaded areas to relax or have a picnic. There are also the pinewoods of Tombolo, Migliarino and Marina di Vecchiano. Also, the wonderful Park of San Rossore is located in the province of Pisa.
San Rossore Natural Park, Pisa - Photo credits: JerikOne
Livorno
Beyond its beach areas, Livorno has great and extensive coastal pinewoods; in many cases they are the result of the work of man and centuries of reforestation. These pinewoods are often delimited only by jagged cliffs. The pinewoods of Bibbona, Donoratico and San Vincenzo are famous.
Forests and the reforestation of Mediterranean marittime pine, domestic and Aleppo (Pinus pinaster, Pinus pinea, Pinus halepensis) trees are present on some of the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago, such as in Elba, Capraia, Giglio, Gorgona, and Pianosa.
Baratti's pines - Photo credits: Davide Cicognani on Flickr
Grosseto
From Follonica to Talamone, the Maremma coast offers an uninterrupted succession of beautiful landscapes like the wide and sandy beaches of Castiglione and the pinewoods of Alberese and Principina. The sea waters are also crystal-clear along this stretch of coastline.
In the province of Grosseto, the coast is a protected area characterized by elegant and green landscapes and century-old pine forests near the sea. Around Follonica and Punta Ala you will find an oasis of tranquility among the inland rolling hills. Going south, there are the pinewoods of Castiglione della Pescaia and the beautiful Maremma Park, also known as Parco dell’Uccellina.
Pinewood in the Natural Park of Maremma - Photo by Jacqueline Poggi on Flickr
