Easy and interesting descent in a suggestive environment on the Appenines, quoted by Dante Alighieri in the Divina Commedia. After its technical part the descent goes on in a wide canyon which is a natural reserve (birds of prey).

Lower access: leave the highway A11 (Firenze-mare) in Lucca. Follow the river Serchio on the road N12 as far as Chiferti; go on following the Serchio for some kilometers and turn right towards Tereglio-Alpe Tre Potenze. When you reach the cross-roads for Tereglio go on towards Abetone for 6-7 kilometers, then turn right towards Orrido di Botri. Reach the large parking at the end of the canyon and park there (Ponte Gaio, 640 m). You'll be 43 km far from Lucca.

Upper access: go on following the road towards Abetone for 5 more kilometers; once you get to rifugio Casentini (1250 m) you will find a parking on the right side of the road; from there start to follw a quite visible and not much steep path.

Approach: path n°14 begins from the parking. It's a beautiful walk through a luxuriant beech-wood. Follw this hilly path (never too steep) heading for Fontana Troghi-Monte Mosca, overtake a couple of brooks and Colle della Prada and then walk down the pass and find the Rio Ribellino, that's the little river you're going to descend.

Coming back: at the end of the gorge there's a bridge just a few meters far from the parking.

Note: to enter the Orrido it is compulsory to ask for permission in advance to the Natural Reserve Office (ticket 3 euros).