Behind the village of Bibbona and just minutes from its golden beaches lies the Macchia della Magona, one of the largest and most fascinating forest areas in Tuscany. Covering more than 1,600 hectares and about 50 km of marked trails, this natural paradise is part of the Regional Forest Agricultural Heritage and represents a perfect blend of biodiversity, history and landscape.
Unspoiled nature and Mediterranean biodiversity
The vegetation of the Macchia is dominated by Mediterranean scrub, with a very rich presence of holm oaks, oaks, and dense undergrowth of strawberry trees, myrtle, heather, broom, cistus, juniper and laurel, which in the wettest stretches reach imposing dimensions. It also contains an experimental arboretum, classified as a Biogenetic Nature Reserve, where pines, cypresses and cedar varieties grow: an open-air natural laboratory that protects species typical of the Mediterranean environment.
The forest is an ideal habitat for a very rich fauna, including wild boar, deer, fallow deer, hares, foxes, squirrels, porcupines, badgers, hedgehogs and even midges (the small arboreal mice). There is no shortage of migratory birds and birds of prey such as buzzards, woodcocks and wood pigeons, as well as numerous passerines.
Sports, hiking and breathtaking views
The Macchia della Magona is a perfect destination for hikers, cyclists and nature lovers, thanks to a widespread network of 16 well-marked trails that wind from the plains to the hills, passing through forests, clearings and spectacular viewpoints. Highlights include the Belvedere di Poggio Cavaliere and the Passo delle Golazze Aperte, from which there are breathtaking views of the Tyrrhenian coast and the hilly hinterland.
The trails, also accessible by horseback or mountain bike, are suitable for hikers of all levels and offer direct contact with the environment, far from mass tourism.
A forest between history and rural culture
In addition to its naturalistic value, the Macchia della Magona is also a place laden with historical memories: for centuries it represented a valuable timber reserve for the Cecina Magona ironworks, from which it takes its name. The old charcoal pits, now immersed in the silence of the forest, tell of man’s toil and wisdom in dialogue with nature.
Today the Macchia is a protected place, frequented not only by tourists and families, but also by hunters and researchers, who appreciate its biological variety and tranquility.
A green treasure all to experience
Visiting the Macchia della Magona means immersing oneself in an authentic and wild Tuscany, made up of silences, scents of aromatic herbs, free-roaming animals and paths that tell the thousand-year history of a unique landscape. It is an experience not to be missed for those seeking relaxation, adventure and a deep contact with nature.
