Pratomagno mountain range

The Pratomagno mountain range, located in the eastern part of Tuscany and lying just before the Apennine ridge, sits between Casentino and upper Valdarno. Its main ridge runs parallel to the north-west to south-east orientation of the range. The slopes of the Valdarnese Pratomagno, which face south-west, don’t have any particularly notable geographical features but are rich in hidden gems that can be discovered by those who explore the many paths that crisscross the slopes.

A good example of this are the many streams and ditches that run, parallel to the Arno, across these slopes. Time has helped these streams carve out numerous furrows and hillocks that run down towards the valley. The ridge, on the other hand, is made up of more rounded forms, sculpted by the wind and snow. Here, the vegetation constitutes the pastures and meadows (prateria in Italian) that likely gave this mountain its name. Up here one can easily get above 1200 metres, reaching 1593m on Mount Pianellaccio and 1590m on its neighbour the Pratomagno Cross.

An examination of the geographical formations of the surface rock reveals clear traces of sandstone on Monte Falterona (this sedimentary rock is often found together with silt and clay). This rock emerges accross the whole Setteponti area and makes up the essence of the Pratomagno mountain range. After all, 5 million years ago the whole area was under the sea. The variable shape of the mountains has led to various microclimates to emerge. These are reflected, throughout the area, in differences in rainfall and a vegetation that ranges from Mediterranean scrub to forests of oak, beech and fir, to the grassy meadows on the ridge.