Our tour starts from the city of Massa, the northernmost provincial capital in Tuscany, and goes on to discover some unmissable natural sights.
Going from Massa along the scenic view to S. Carlo Terme- Antona- Arni (km 18), or, also from Massa, along the ‘marble road’, which at first flanks the river Frigido, we start moving up and turn right for the EVAM mineral water bottling plant, and then on to Pian della Fioba.

Here are the Botanical Gardens Pellegrini (telephone:0585 490349; 0585 490407 fax:0585 41245; 0585 490413; email: mansaldi@biologia.unipi.it ) dedicated to the Massa-born doctor and botanist Pietro Pellegrini (1867-1957).
It is located on a rocky spur where the local wildlife is mostly natural. It covers about three hectares and is populated by many endemic species, typical of calcareous areas, and several specimens of plants living on siliceous mountains.
The Gardens host a sort of shelter-cum-laboratory where researchers can come and study the local wildlife. A small lake has been recently excavated to host some vegetal species living in the rare humid areas high up on the Apuan Alps.
The bottom area is used as an educational tour, while the top area hosts natural plants, with many typical species of the Apuan Alps.

In addition, disabled people can make use of a special track.
Going on the same road but in reverse, we will head for Massa, from where we had started; from there, take the SS1 for Aulla, a town in Lunigiana that has been historically important as a stopping place along the Via Francigena.
Remarkable is the Brunella Fortress, which probably took its name from the colour of the stone it was made of in the XI century. Inside there is the Museum of Natural History of Lunigiana. It was established in 1979 to preserve, study and promote the natural environment of Lunigiana.
The exhibits are divided into three sections: physical environment, river environment and lake environment, plus terrariums and aquariums with live animals.

In the surrounding park, one can see the forestry environment with some very interesting botanical gardens.
The principle underlying the layout of the museum is ecology and respect, as it describes and illustrates the most significant environmental aspects of the local area, such as the Mediterranean scrub, the coppice, the chestnut grove, the beech woods, and flatland, hill and mountain crops. The grotto environment too is on display.
(Museo della Storia Naturale - Fortezza della Brunella, 54011 Aulla
Tel: 0187 400252. Fax: 0187 420727
Winter: 09.00 am - 12.00 am / 03.00 pm – 06.00 pm
Summer: 09.00 am - 12.00 am / 04.00 pm – 07.00 pm
Visits preferably by reservation. Entrance fee).
From Aulla, our natural tour goes on, heading for Fivizzano along the SS63 for 19 km, bound for Pallerone-Rometta-Soliera-Fivizzano.
Once in Fivizzano, also known as the Florence of Lunigiana, with its Cathedral, the Printing Museum, the Medicean fountain and the Convent of the Augustine friars, we will go to the Botanical Gardens of Frignoli, 900 metres above sea level, covering seven hectares, run through by an educational trail which illustrates the different mountainous environments of Lunigiana, with reconstructions and several collections of plant species, including some that are related to local folklore (used as food or medication).
In addition, a fish farm has been created to rear and produce the Apennine brown trout, a native species; our natural tour ends here..
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