At an elevation of 4,554 feet (1,388 meters), Abetone is the highest peak in Tuscany. In winter, skiers enjoy 22 ski lifts serving 31 miles (50 kilometers) of slopes suitable for all levels of skiing and snowboarding expertise, as well as pristine areas for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and snow hiking. In warmer months, travelers enjoy fishing and downhill mountain biking at the “Gravity Park” as well as indoor sporting activities like bowling, tennis, soccer, and swimming.
Abetone is about 50 miles (80 kilometers) northwest of Florence and 42 miles (67.5 kilometers) inland (as the crow flies) from the Ligurian coast. From Florence the fastest driving route is along A11 to SR66, which should take about two hours. There are no direct trains from Florence to Abetone, so take a regional train to Pistoia and switch to a local; travel time should be about two and one half hours.
The untouched natural beauty makes Abetone a popular destination year-round, with winters and summers being the most popular times. To beat the crowds and the high prices of the summer, visit the region of Tuscany during the spring or fall months when the climate is at its most temperate and pleasurable.
In the summer of 1903, Giacomo Puccini rented a small villa in the quiet mountain village of Boscolungo, just down the road from Abetone. Seeking the serenity and peace of this beautiful area, the composer wrote his masterpiece, Madama Butterfly. In his honor, Abetone has erected a plaque honoring his connection to the area and holds a musical evening called “Puccini and His Mountains” every summer.