Mountain bike itinerary through parks, from Serravalle to P.A.N.

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1. SUMMARY DESCRIPTION Depart from the municipal territory of Empoli and, crossing through Torre and Montelupo, arrive at the Parco Archeologico-tecnologico e naturalistico (P.A.N) [Technological-Archaeological and Nature Park]. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION This itinerary is interesting for its historic and naturalistic aspects. It brings us to flank the course of the Arno River in the section that departs from the municipal territory of Empoli and runs along the communication trench near the riverbank, up until the western perimeter of the Ambrogiana. One departs from the park of Serravalle, in the municipality of Empoli, and continues in the direction of Tinaia. Shortly after, where the Rio di Fibbiana flows, a point easily recognizable due to a great sluice for the optimization of the waters during floods, one can discern the point at which the Arno River began the curve that was then filled in order to open the new section that passes right before the centre of Limite sull'Arno, located on the other bank. Continuing the route we note some picturesque farm houses, both isolated and in groups, with a particular and clearly articulated architectural structure, and a few ancient trees, including black poplars and cypresses. Before catching sight of the houses closest to Fibbiana we find the great plain of the Arno Vecchio, the name deriving from an old bend of the Arno gradually cut by a filling initiative probably dating to the Grand Ducal period, which resulted in the deviation and therefore straightening and shortening of the course of the river. Today the plain is newly cultivated with recently planted orchards and vineyards and crops of semi-native grains and fodder. Here one sees a vast and deep lake, on the banks of which certain bird species hollow out nests. We also note many species of migratory birds which, in the period of double passages, take advantage of the guiding river for their transfers. Continuing along, our view opens up on to the great mass of the Villa Mannelli, a grand farm complex that dominates this part of the plain. Continuing along the Arno River until reaching Torre, we pass through the town to reach the fourteenth-century Tower of the Frescobaldi. We continue along the asphalt road that leads to the Ambrogiana city park and the villa by the same name, which has hosted the judiciary psychiatric hospital since the last century. We can then reach Montelupo Fiorentino travelling Viale Umberto I which will lead us near the bridge of the Pesa River. From here we take the provincial road for Ginestra Fiorentina and reach the old church of SS. Ippolito e Cassiano: from there one veers to the right in order to cross the bridge of the Pesa River, leading to Turbone. Crossing over the bridge, one takes the road that climbs to Pulica and, a little before passing the Fi-Pi-Li motorway, one turns to the left for a dirt road. After around 500 meters, the road ends at the border of a vineyard that we will follow up to the end. This is the start of some uncultivated land where the trail is just barely visible among the patches of broom and shrubs. One continues, keeping the embankment of the motorway to the right, until one comes to a ditch. Crossing the ditch (by foot), one enters a large cultivated plot of land; after around 200 metres, the scrub and the cane open up and it is possible to cross through them entering a plantation of trees that borders the left bank of the Pesa. From here, climbing uphill by bicycle, one follows the rows of trees. Passing the highway and the nearby bridge of the Topole one continues on a dirt road that runs uphill and enters the forest. After a short uphill stretch, we reach a crossroads, taking the road to the left that goes downhill and skirts the river. Continuing, we arrive at a cottage near which one turns left to reach the excavations of the Roman Villa of Pulica, called the Casa Cambi. We have reached the area of the archaeological-technological and naturalistic part (P.A.N.): a section of the territory between Pulica and the Pesa and Virginio torrents, destined to host a park where the archaeological aspect is united with that of protecting the environment.