Lucca Plain

The Lucca Plain encompasses the municipalities of Lucca, Capannori, Altopascio, Montecarlo and Porcari. This flat landscape extends around the Walls of Lucca’s historic centre via routes and pathways that make exploring the area both enjoyable and dynamic. Just minutes from Lucca’s Walls, nature lovers shouldn’t miss a stroll through the Serchio River Park, a natural resource offering jogging trails, cycling paths, horse riding, skateboarding areas and various recreational activities.

History enthusiasts can visit the medieval castles scattered throughout the Lucca Plain, including Nozzano Castle, Montecarlo Fortress, Altopascio Castle and the rocca di Villa Basilica.

Among the tourist routes through the Lucca Plain, a visit to Capannori is highly recommended, where you’ll find the celebrated Lucca Villas—splendid historic residences enhanced by elegant parks with gardens and fountains, once owned by wealthy Lucchese families and now open to visitors. Beyond the Villas, you can admire the Pievi (ancient parish churches), testament to the prestigious past of these territories, and the camellia villages along Pieve and Sant’Andrea di Compito, which in spring host the Exhibition of Ancient Camellias of the Lucchesia.

The municipality of Altopascio is of considerable historical and artistic significance, renowned for its bread production and for welcoming pilgrims travelling the Via Francigena. The town features a hospital complex once managed by the Tau Friars and a section of ancient paving preserved from the original pilgrimage route.

Those interested in Tuscan culinary traditions should not miss the Wine and Oil Route of Lucca, Montecarlo and Versilia, which passes through the picturesque medieval village of Montecarlo, the heart of Lucca’s wine production with its prestigious vineyards. The hills of Montecarlo also produce extra-virgin olive oil, a typical Lucchese product renowned for its quality and its light, authentic flavour.

The Serchio River Park

The River Park comprises a series of natural trails organised into two main sections: a cycling path of approximately 12 km between Ponte S. Quirico and Ponte S. Pietro, already completed, and another towards Ponte a Moriano, still under development.

The Park offers 3 distinct routes: the naturalistic trail, the water route and the historic route.

Naturalistic trail

The Serchio River Park features two separate naturalistic trails running along either bank: the first winds for approximately 11 km between Ponte S. Quirico and Ponte S. Pietro, whilst the second extends approximately 11 km between Ponte S. Quirico and Ponte a Moriano. The first trail, opened to the public in summer 2000, lies within the emerging Urban Park between the historic centre and the river, linking the urbanised areas of the city’s outer edge on the left bank with agricultural areas on the right bank.

Water route

This trail runs from Ripafratta to the sources of the Nottolini aqueduct and the Monti Pisani hills along the Ozzeri canal, passing through agricultural fields and scattered settlements. This highly interesting route traverses the remains of wetland areas where you’ll find typical lowland vegetation species.

Historic route

This route extends from the locality “Parole d’oro” at the foothills of the Monti di Vorno, where the Nottolini aqueduct reservoirs are located, along the aqueduct’s arcading to the small temple at S. Concordio, then continuing into the historic centre. The route provides a historical and artistic interpretation of the city through its monumental architecture, streets and squares as they developed over the centuries.

Recommended hotels in the area Lucca Plain