At one with nature

A REFRESHING DIP IN THE MALBACCO NATURAL POOLS

Just a short drive from Forte dei Marmi lies a true hidden gem: a mountain retreat where you can swim in crystal-clear natural pools carved into the rock. Not the beautiful Versilia sea this time, but an unexpected alpine oasis!

Malbacco sits at the foot of Mount Altissimo, only minutes from Seravezza, and is crossed by the pristine waters of the Serra stream. Flowing down from the marble mountains, these waters eventually join the Vezza, forming the Versilia River.

A visit to Malbacco is a delightful alternative to a beach day during your stay in Forte. The short drive makes it easy to go there, even for just a swim. On the hottest summer days, the cool water and the shade of the trees offer unmatched relief and relaxation.

A BREATHTAKING SWING

Among the mountains that frame the Versilia valley, towering above the village of Cardoso rises one of the area’s most extraordinary peaks: Mount Forato. As its name suggests, its summit is defined by a massive natural stone arch – over ten feet high – clearly visible even from the valley floor, from the village of Cardoso, given the enormous size of its opening. The arch can be reached via an easy hiking trail starting from the village of Stazzema.

On select days throughout the year, a swing is installed within this immense rock opening, allowing the most adventurous visitors to experience the thrill of swinging at over 3,000 feet above sea level, with sweeping, adrenaline-pumping views of the valley and the Versilia coastline below. For details and availability, we recommend contacting local certified hiking guides.

TAKING ON A VIA FERRATA

The Apuan Alps are a true sanctuary for mountaineering. Here, the mountain landscape offers everything from gentle hillside walks overlooking the sea to demanding climbs along sheer rock faces rising hundreds of feet.

The via ferrata routes in the mountains behind Forte dei Marmi provide the perfect opportunity to complement a seaside vacation with a high-adrenaline outdoor experience. We recommend them for three reasons: first, the Apuan ferratas are exceptionally well equipped and regularly inspected, maintained, cleaned, and clearly marked by local CAI (Italian Alpine Club) groups; second, the area offers routes of varying difficulty, and some of the most scenic – such as the one on Monte Procinto – are accessible even to less experienced hikers when accompanied; third, the region is home to highly skilled alpine and hiking guides available throughout the summer season.

INSIDE ITALY’S LARGEST CAVE

Mount Corchia dominates the landscape behind Forte dei Marmi and is a familiar presence on the Versilia skyline. While many recognize it for the striking white marble quarry etched into its summit, few know that inside lies the largest cave system in Italy: over 45 miles of shafts, tunnels, and awe-inspiring chambers.

Known as the Antro del Corchia, the cave has been open to visitors since 2001, thanks to a carefully designed guided route that leads through some of the most spectacular sections of this karst complex. The tour begins in the village of Levigliani and reaches deep into the heart of the mountain.

The visitor route to the Antro del Corchia extends for approximately 1.2 miles underground, where the temperature remains around 46°F year-round. Thanks to continuous movement, the cold is hardly noticeable, but we do recommend wearing rubber-soled shoes and bringing a light jacket!

HIKING THE MOUNTAINS AROUND FORTE

For those not ready to tackle a via ferrata, the countless hiking trails that crisscross the hills and mountains of Versilia offer an equally rewarding experience. Reaching a summit and gazing down at the mountains mirrored in the sea below is a moment of pure wonder, one that defies any price tag.