From Arezzo, heading north, the Casentino valley follows the course of the Arno, passing through Subbiano, Bibbiena, Poppi, Pratovecchio and Stia. It is a compact, easy-to-travel valley that climbs toward the forests of the Casentino Forests National Park, up to the passes that connect it with Romagna, Mugello and the Valdarno.
Here two overview maps will help you orient yourself and better understand the area’s geography, places, points of interest and routes. The first map shows Casentino to the east, towards the Valtiberina. The second represents the western side, with the Pratomagno massif separating it from the Valdarno. Together, the two maps reconstruct the territory of Casentino and its connections with the nearby valleys.
Car, motorbike and camper
From Arezzo you can reach Casentino via the SR71, which follows the course of the Arno and passes through the valley’s main towns up to the forests of the National Park. It is a scenic, easy road that quickly connects the valley floor with the mountain resorts and places of spirituality.
Average travel times (normal traffic)
– Arezzo > Subbiano: about 15 minutes (13 km)
– Arezzo > Bibbiena: about 30 minutes (33 km)
– Arezzo > Poppi: about 35 minutes (38 km)
– Arezzo > Pratovecchio: about 40 minutes (45 km)
– Arezzo > Stia: about 45 minutes (47 km)
MAIN ROUTES AND USEFUL CONNECTIONS
– from Bibbiena head up to the Santuario della Verna, about 25 minutes (15 km).
– from Bibbiena or Poppi you can reach Camaldoli and Badia Prataglia, about 25 minutes (17–20 km).
– from Stia you can continue towards the sources of the Arno, Mount Falterona and the Passo della Calla, about 30 minutes (18 km).
– from Stia, you can reach the Mugello via the Croce ai Mori, about 40 minutes (25 km).
– from Borgo alla Collina, on the opposite side, the Passo della Consuma connects Casentino with the Valdarno and Florence, about 1 hour (50 km, to Pontassieve).
EQUIPPED AREAS FOR CAMPER VANS
– Bibbiena: via Palazzetto (commercial area), with water supply/drain and lighting.
– Pratovecchio: Capodarno area, piazza del Mulino, 53 spaces, water supply/drain, electrical hookups and toilets.
– Pratovecchio: Canto alla Rana area, 9 spaces, free parking on the Arno riverbank (no services).
– Stia: municipal area in via Londa, 10 spaces, water supply/drain and electrical hookups.
– Camaldoli: Camaldoli camping, along the SP124, with a serviced camper area immersed in the forest.
– Talla: via di Bicciano (cemetery area), with water supply/drain.
– Castel San Niccolò (Strada): via Lungo il Solano, 10 spaces, water supply/drain, asphalt surface and lighting.
– Montemignaio: municipal area, about 10 spaces, water supply/drain.
Train
The valley is served by the Arezzo – Pratovecchio – Stia railway line, operated by TFT (Trasporto Ferroviario Toscano), which connects the city with the main centres of Casentino with about 35 daily services.
It’s a scenic connection that follows the course of the Arno and makes it easy to reach the towns along the valley floor.
MAIN STATIONS
– Giovi
– Capolona
– Subbiano
– Santa Mama
– Rassina
– Bibbiena
– Poppi
– Pratovecchio
– Stia
Average travel times
– Arezzo > Bibbiena: about 50 minutes
– Arezzo > Poppi: about 55 minutes
– Arezzo > Stia: about 1 hour
Information, timetables and tickets are available on the TFT website
TRAIN + BIKE
On the Arezzo–Pratovecchio–Stia line operated by TFT (Trasporto Ferroviario Toscano) you can take your bicycle on board.
– The service is allowed on trains equipped with dedicated racks, within the limit of available spaces.
– The service requires payment of a fixed-fare ticket, equal to the cost of a single journey for the 10 km band, regardless of the distance actually travelled.
– Folding bikes may travel free of charge as hand luggage.
– Groups of at least 10 people with bicycles must submit a request to the TFT Management at least 7 days in advance.
More details are available on the TFT website
Bus
Public transport is managed by Autolinee Toscane and connects Arezzo with the valley’s main centres and with places not served by the railway.
The interurban lines complement the rail service and allow you to reach the National Park and the area’s sanctuaries.
MAIN CONNECTIONS
– Arezzo > Bibbiena > Poppi > Stia
Line H10, along the SR71, parallel to the rail route.
Average time Arezzo – Stia: about 1 hour 15 minutes.
– Bibbiena > La Verna (Chiusi della Verna)
Line H12, via Rassina and Chitignano.
Average time: about 40 minutes.
– Bibbiena > Camaldoli > Badia Prataglia
Line LH3, via Soci and Serravalle.
Average time: about 40–45 minutes.
– Poppi > Strada in Casentino > Montemignaio
Line H42
Average time: about 40 minutes.
– Arezzo > Rassina > Talla
Line H11
Average time: about 45–50 minutes.
Connections also cover school services and seasonal tourist routes, with extensions to the main sites of the National Park and the Franciscan sanctuaries of Casentino.
Up-to-date timetables and information on the Autolinee Toscane website
Or via the AT-Bus app
The AT Bus app lets you plan bus journeys and buy tickets from your smartphone. It provides real-time information on timetables, connections, stop times and the position of vehicles along urban and interurban routes.
On foot
Casentino is the heart of the great spiritual and nature trails of the province of Arezzo. The Via Romea Germanica and the Cammini di Francesco pass through here, together with a dense network of footpaths that cross the forests and sanctuaries of the Casentino Forests National Park, offering hiking routes amid nature, silence and spirituality.
VIA ROMEA GERMANICA
An ancient European pilgrimage route, the Via Romea Germanica connects Northern Europe to Rome, crossing Italy from north to south. Its route, recognised as a European Cultural Itinerary by the Council of Europe, starts from Stade in Germany and descends the peninsula via the Brenner Pass, Bolzano, Trento, Padua and Ravenna. It enters Tuscany from Bagno di Romagna, crosses the Passo di Serra and descends into the Vallesanta, passing through Corezzo and Rimbocchi, with a spiritual variant leading up to the Santuario della Verna before rejoining the main route towards Chitignano, Valenzano/Falciano, Subbiano, Pieve a Sietina/Giovi and Arezzo. From here the route continues towards Cortona, enters Umbria via Orvieto and ends in Rome, along a journey of faith, nature and culture that links the Germanic world with the spiritual heart of Italy.
For information, maps and official tracks:
CAMMINI DI FRANCESCO
– Cammino di Montecasale
From the Santuario della Verna the route descends through the forests of the Upper Valtiberina, crosses Pieve Santo Stefano and reaches the Hermitage of Cerbaiolo, a Benedictine monastery from the 8th century donated to Saint Francis in 1216. It then continues towards the Hermitage of Montecasale, a Franciscan site of great spiritual value, donated to the Saint in 1212 and among his most beloved retreats. The route continues towards Sansepolcro, then to Citerna, Monterchi, Città di Castello and finally Assisi.
It is one of the most evocative and panoramic itineraries in the area, rich in historical and spiritual landmarks.
– Cammino della Casella
An itinerary linking the Santuario della Verna to Anghiari, passing the Hermitage of the Casella and Caprese Michelangelo. After Ponte alla Piera, the route reaches the Castle of Montauto, where Francis was often a guest of the ancient Galbino family. Nearby are the small chapel known as the Maestà di San Francesco and the Cenacolo di Montauto, from which the path continues to Anghiari. From this point you can choose to descend towards Citerna, where the route connects with the Montecasale way, or head west towards Arezzo and Cortona.
– Cammino delle Celle
This is the natural continuation of the Cammino della Casella westwards. From Anghiari you move towards Arezzo, with a stop at the Basilica of San Francesco, then continue across the Valdichiana to Cortona and the Hermitage Le Celle, before reaching Umbria and Assisi. The section Arezzo – Anghiari, about 27 km long, follows mid-hill roads and marked paths, offering panoramic views over the Tuscan countryside and the Tiber valley.
Walkable on foot or by bike, it is the natural link between Arezzo, the Valtiberina and the routes that continue towards Cortona and Assisi.
– Route from Florence to La Verna
From the Passo della Consuma the route enters Casentino, descends through Montemignaio, Castello di Romena, Pratovecchio and Stia, then crosses the forests of the Casentino Forests National Park to reach the Hermitage and Monastery of Camaldoli, a place of silence and prayer founded by Saint Romuald. From here it continues through the woods to Badia Prataglia, then crosses the Vallesanta, passing the villages of Frassineta, Casa Santicchio and Rimbocchi, before arriving at the Santuario della Verna, where Saint Francis received the stigmata in 1224. A walk immersed in nature and Franciscan spirituality, among hermitages, parish churches and landscapes that preserve the allure of sacred places.
Visit the page on this site dedicated to the Cammini di Francesco, click here
For information, maps and official tracks:
TRAILS OF THE NATIONAL PARK
Beyond the spiritual routes, the Casentino Forests National Park offers a network of hiking trails marked by the CAI and the Park, leading to places such as the sources of the Arno, Mount Falterona, Badia Prataglia and the forests of Camaldoli.
The routes vary in length and difficulty and can be explored with guides or independently thanks to official signage.
– Hermitage of Camaldoli / Passo della Calla: about 10 km, 2 hours 30 minutes – 3 hours, along the Poggio Scali ridge (a panoramic hiking route).
– Badia Prataglia / Passo della Calla: about 17 km, 3 hours 30 minutes, total ascent 1,080 m, a stage of the CAI Sentiero Italia.
For information, maps and official tracks:
PRATOMAGNO RIDGELINE
The Pratomagno ridgeline stretches for about 37 km, from the Passo della Consuma to the Valico di Crocina, along the CAI Trail 00 which separates Casentino from the Valdarno. It is one of the most beautiful panoramic routes in Tuscany, with wide views over the Apennines and the Arno valley.
The paths are well signposted and can be walked independently or with local hiking guides.
– Pontenano / Croce del Pratomagno: about 14 km, 4 hours 30 minutes, total ascent 800 m. The route climbs from the village of Pontenano to the ridge and continues towards the Cross along CAI Trail 00.
– Ortignano Raggiolo (Cetica) / Croce del Pratomagno: about 11 km, 3 hours 30 minutes, total ascent 700 m. From the village of Cetica the route climbs the Solano valley up to the ridgeline, where it joins CAI Trail 42A.
Cycle routes and shared-use paths
Casentino is a perfect valley for those who like to discover the area slowly, along cycle and shared-use paths that follow the course of the Arno and its side valleys, immersed in the rural landscape and among villages rich in history.
MAIN SECTIONS OF THE ARNO CYCLEWAY
– Rassina > Bibbiena > Le Macee: about 8 km
The route is almost flat and follows the left bank of the Arno, with sections on its own path and others on quiet secondary roads.
– Bibbiena > Ponte a Poppi: about 7 km
The route starts from Bibbiena, crosses the railway and ring road on asphalt, then descends along the compacted-earth shared path that runs alongside the Arno, continuing to Ponte a Poppi along secondary roads and river embankments. The arrival is dominated by the profile of the Castle of the Guidi Counts, standing out against the valley backdrop.
– Ponte a Poppi > Borgo alla Collina: about 4 km
Continuing from the Bibbiena–Ponte a Poppi section, after crossing the road bridge towards Poppi, turn immediately right and follow the cycle-pedestrian path along the Arno River to the confluence with the Solano stream. From here, continue alongside the stream and cross it near Borgo alla Collina, from where you can carry on along the Borgo alla Collina–Stia section.
– Borgo alla Collina > Pratovecchio Stia: about 6 km
This section is entirely rideable on a safe shared-use route along the Arno River to the centre of Stia. A gently uphill route.
Midway you can detour to visit the Pieve di Romena (about 2 km) and nearby Castello di Romena (1 km further), then easily rejoin the path at Pratovecchio via paved road.
SIDE BRANCHES
Archiano Cycleway
– from Bibbiena/Soci towards Partina and Camaldoli: about 13–14 km
Route on compacted earth and some unpaved secondary roads, mountain trails in the final part, ideal for gravel or e-bikes, also walkable. Gentle climb to Partina (about 6 km) and about 9 km to the Ponte del Romito, then a sometimes demanding ascent up to Camaldoli
Valle del Teggina
– from Rassina towards San Piero in Frassino and Ortignano: about 8–9 km
Scenic hill route, alternating asphalt and gravel roads.
From Le Macee to San Piero in Frassino, about 4 km.
