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Monte Forato: the Apuan Alps' natural arch from Cardoso

Stazzema, Lucca · Toscana•1 day•Hiking · 1,208 m
Experience
Day hikes
Difficulty ?
INTERMEDIATE
Where?
Lucca, Toscana
On your own?
No problem
Points
+18
Monte Forato: the Apuan Alps' natural arch from Cardoso
Community photos
See all photos
Overview
The experience
Difficulty
What's included
Itinerary
Carpooling
What to bring
Your guide
Reviews
Questions
WHY THIS HIKE

The great natural arch of the Apuan Alps

Among the most iconic treks in Tuscany, the hike to Monte Forato is one of those experiences every mountain lover should have at least once. In the heart of the Apuan Alps, this route leads step by step to one of the most striking geological sights in Italy: an arch of rock carved into the ridge, tens of metres wide, opening onto the sky.

Group chat a couple of days before
Come alone, leave with new friends

The experience

The route starts from the small mountain village of Cardoso, part of Stazzema, set among the mountains of Versilia. From the first steps the trail enters the typical Apuan environment: chestnut and beech woods, old mule tracks and glimpses of the limestone walls that make this range unique. Climbing the flank of the valley we reach the panoramic Foce di Petrosciana, a historic pass and crossroads of trails.

From there the climb continues to the arch, which appears suddenly among the ridges. It is 12 kilometres and 850 metres of ascent: the way back closes a loop, bringing us to Cardoso from another side.

This is an intermediate hike: 850 metres of ascent in five hours, on well-marked trails with some steep sections. Bring hiking boots, plenty of water and a packed lunch: there are no huts along the way.

Come with the Guidders: book your place and let's climb Monte Forato.

GOOD TO KNOW
Group chat
It opens a couple of days before: that's where the meeting point is confirmed and carpooling is arranged.
Free cancellation up to 3 days before
You pay nothing when you book.
Guiddy accident insurance
Included in the price.
+18 Guiddy points
Your points grow with every outing, level you up and unlock discounts, exclusive outings and goodies.
Guiddy Coordinator (runs the group, Telegram included)
Included in the price.
Not suitable for dogs
This time your dog stays at home.

How hard is it, really

Guiddy scale
INTERMEDIATE
F
F+
I
I+
D
D+
850 m D+ · 12 km · 5 h
Exposure and exposed sections
NONE
No exposed sections reported on the route.
VERTIGO RISK
WHAT YOU NEED BEFORE YOU GO
✓
BEFORE YOU GO
Go to bed early, have a good breakfast and drink before you set off: you've got 5 h and 850 m of ascent ahead, if you go to the mountains a couple of times a month, you're fit enough
✓
IN YOUR BACKPACK
Hiking shoes, 1.5 litres of water, a snack and a windproof jacket, plus poles. Always with you: a plaster, an antiseptic wipe and a small bag for rubbish

What's included in the price

✓INCLUDED
✓Guiddy accident insurance
✓Guiddy Coordinator (runs the group, Telegram included)
✕NOT INCLUDED
✕Packed lunch
✕Parking
✕Travel to Stazzema
To get there, there's Guiddy carpooling, below.

Itinerary

One day, approximate times. The final details come in the group chat.

Elevation gain
850 m
Max altitude
1,208 m
Distance
12 km
Duration
5 h
Day
12 km · D+ 850 m · 5 h
Map
The stops · 12 km
Meeting point 10:00approximate
Via la Rughetta 5, 55040 Stazzema provincia di Lucca, Italia. The exact time is confirmed in the group chat. We usually meet a little earlier for breakfast together, when possible.
HOW TO GET THERE
10:00MEETING
Meeting at Cardoso di Stazzema
We meet the Guidders in Cardoso, part of Stazzema (LU), where we leave the cars and the hike begins. Introductions, a backpack check and off along the mule track into the woods. The time is indicative: the exact one is shared in the outing's Telegram group.
12:00SUMMIT
Foce di Petrosciana and the Monte Forato arch
We climb between chestnuts and beeches to Foce di Petrosciana, a historic pass and crossroads of trails, then continue along the ridge. The Monte Forato arch appears suddenly among the rocks: we stop for photos, a packed lunch and to look at the sea glimpsed beyond the ridges.
15:00RETURN
Loop back to Cardoso
We return to Cardoso on a loop, descending a different flank from the one we climbed, through woods and old mule tracks. At the cars we take the time for a toast before saying goodbye.

How do you get to Stazzema? By carpooling.

You say so when booking, then you get organised in the Telegram group. Contacts and costs are agreed between you: a seat isn't guaranteed.

WHO'S ALREADY GOING
Offering a seat Looking for a seat
Cars are added in the last few days, once the group is confirmed.

What to bring

A list made for this hike. No technical gear: just good shoes and a well-packed backpack.

Backpack
REQUIRED
Water supply
REQUIRED
Trekking boots
REQUIRED
Packed lunch
REQUIRED
Long pants
REQUIRED
Food supply
REQUIRED
First aid kit
REQUIRED
Cap
RECOMMENDED
Moisturizing cream
RECOMMENDED
Sunglasses
RECOMMENDED
Trekking poles
RECOMMENDED
Windproof
RECOMMENDED

Reviews

Only from people who completed the outing.
—
no reviews yet
Itinerary—
Organisation—
Overall experience—
Ibex
The first reviews come after the outing
We only ask for feedback from people who were really there.

You'll be among the first to share your story.

Questions?

I've only done easy trails, can I come?
⌄
Flat or slightly inclined sections with short stretches on steep slopes and rocks, not tiring or demanding. You need to be fit enough to walk for 5 h with 850 m of ascent. If in doubt, message Ibex on WhatsApp.
Can I join on my own?
⌄
How does carpooling work?
⌄
What happens if the weather is bad?
⌄
What if the group doesn't reach the minimum?
⌄
Until when can I cancel?
⌄
Book now, pay only if it goes ahead
MOST POPULAR
✓No charge now: the amount is only held on your card
✓Free cancellation up to 3 days before
✓You're only charged once the group is confirmed, at 7 pm the evening before departure
✓Minimum not reached? No charge, nothing to do
Or pay straight away by card, PayPal, Satispay or Revolut. With Klarna you can also pay in interest-free instalments.
Ibex
Still have questions? Message Ibex
Ibex is Guiddy's virtual ibex: it answers everything, 24/7. In two messages it tells you whether this outing is for you, how to get there and what to pack.
Message Ibex on WhatsApp
No commitment: we're happy to answer even just for advice.
Monte Forato: the Apuan Alps' natural arch from Cardoso

Monte Forato: the Apuan Alps' natural arch from Cardoso

Stazzema, (LU) · Toscana
1 day · Hiking · 1,208 m
New: you'll be among the first Guidders to do it
Elevation gain
850 m
Max altitude
1,208 m
Distance
12 km
Exposed sections
None
Duration
5 h
Guiddy points
+18
6 photos
+2 photos
WHY THIS HIKE

The great natural arch of the Apuan Alps

Among the most iconic treks in Tuscany, the hike to Monte Forato is one of those experiences every mountain lover should have at least once. In the heart of the Apuan Alps, this route leads step by step to one of the most striking geological sights in Italy: an arch of rock carved into the ridge, tens of metres wide, opening onto the sky.

Come alone, leave with new friends

The experience

The route starts from the small mountain village of Cardoso, part of Stazzema, set among the mountains of Versilia. From the first steps the trail enters the typical Apuan environment: chestnut and beech woods, old mule tracks and glimpses of the limestone walls that make this range unique. Climbing the flank of the valley we reach the panoramic Foce di Petrosciana, a historic pass and crossroads of trails.

From there the climb continues to the arch, which appears suddenly among the ridges. It is 12 kilometres and 850 metres of ascent: the way back closes a loop, bringing us to Cardoso from another side.

This is an intermediate hike: 850 metres of ascent in five hours, on well-marked trails with some steep sections. Bring hiking boots, plenty of water and a packed lunch: there are no huts along the way.

Come with the Guidders: book your place and let's climb Monte Forato.

How hard is it

Guiddy scale
INTERMEDIATE
F
F+
I
I+
D
D+
850 m D+ · 12 km · 5 h
WHAT YOU NEED BEFORE YOU GO
✓
BEFORE YOU GO
Go to bed early, have a good breakfast and drink before you set off: you've got 5 h and 850 m of ascent ahead, if you go to the mountains a couple of times a month, you're fit enough
✓
IN YOUR BACKPACK
Hiking shoes, 1.5 litres of water, a snack and a windproof jacket, plus poles. Always with you: a plaster, an antiseptic wipe and a small bag for rubbish

What's included

INCLUDED
✓Guiddy accident insurance
✓Guiddy Coordinator (runs the group, Telegram included)
NOT INCLUDED
✕Packed lunch
✕Parking
✕Travel to Stazzema

Itinerary

Day · approximate times
Map
Stops · 12 km
Meeting point 10:00Stazzema
We usually meet a little earlier for breakfast together, when possible.
10:00MEETING
Meeting at Cardoso di Stazzema
We meet the Guidders in Cardoso, part of Stazzema (LU), where we leave the cars and the hike begins. Introductions, a backpack check and off along the mule track into the woods. The time is indicative: the exact one is shared in the outing's Telegram group.
12:00SUMMIT
Foce di Petrosciana and the Monte Forato arch
We climb between chestnuts and beeches to Foce di Petrosciana, a historic pass and crossroads of trails, then continue along the ridge. The Monte Forato arch appears suddenly among the rocks: we stop for photos, a packed lunch and to look at the sea glimpsed beyond the ridges.
15:00RETURN
Loop back to Cardoso
We return to Cardoso on a loop, descending a different flank from the one we climbed, through woods and old mule tracks. At the cars we take the time for a toast before saying goodbye.

How do you get to Stazzema? By carpooling.

You say so when booking, then you get organised in the Telegram group.

WHO'S ALREADY GOING
Offering a seat Looking for a seat
Cars are added in the last few days, once the group is confirmed.

What to bring

A list made for this hike.
Backpack
REQUIRED
Water supply
REQUIRED
Trekking boots
REQUIRED
Packed lunch
REQUIRED
Long pants
REQUIRED
Food supply
REQUIRED
First aid kit
REQUIRED
Cap
RECOMMENDED
Moisturizing cream
RECOMMENDED
Sunglasses
RECOMMENDED
Trekking poles
RECOMMENDED
Windproof
RECOMMENDED

Reviews

— · none yet
Ibex
The first reviews come after the outing
Only from people who were really there.

You'll be among the first to share your story.

Questions?

I've only done easy trails, can I come?
⌄
Flat or slightly inclined sections with short stretches on steep slopes and rocks, not tiring or demanding. You need to be fit enough to walk for 5 h with 850 m of ascent. If in doubt, message Ibex on WhatsApp.
Can I join on my own?
⌄
How does carpooling work?
⌄
What happens if the weather is bad?
⌄
What if the group doesn't reach the minimum?
⌄
Until when can I cancel?
⌄
Ibex
Still unsure? Message Ibex on WhatsApp →
No date
€24.90
per person
Book now →
Pay only if confirmed