Gruppo: Alpi Apuane

The Monte Procinto is a truly unique formation: a square tower of 150 m with straight and overhanging walls on the four sides. For almost a century, an equipped road goes up its side and leads to the summit grove in about 40 minutes. Technically it is not difficult, but it is strongly exposed and should be faced both uphill and downhill.

The starting point is the Rifugio Alto Matanna, reachable by a narrow steep road but in good condition: from Lucca you enter Garfagnana on the SS12, then towards Diecimo and Pescaglia; passed Pascoso, following the indications for "Rifugio Alto Matanna" turn left on an asphalt road. Starting point on Google Maps. Behind the refuge starts the path CAI 5, which follows right uphill to the north; you cross the basin of the Callare di Matanna and you descend along the south wall of Mount Nona, glimpse the panettone of the Procinto to the south-west. In the forest, at a crossroads, you leave the CAI 5 (which goes down to the Forte dei Marmi Refuge) for a narrow right track indicated for the Monte Procinto; a wooden bridge crosses the narrow nod at the base of the tower, you hold the left and, with attention, you will find the deviation to the right (without signals) that leads to the tombstones and the attack of Ferrata Aristide Bruni (1h from the parking lot).

A ladder equipped with cable and chain goes up immediately, then a wall where artificially carved several steps that rise in marked exposure, with metal equipment in support of progression. Once you reach a comfortable terrace you face a passage where it is not trivial to find supports for your feet; you continue taking advantage also some artificial steps, you walk a diagonal census and, with the last minutes in the woods, you reach the top (40' from the attack, 1h 40' from the parking lot).

Short but strongly exposed: more than technical difficulties, it is the air under the feet to make it challenging.

It is the oldest railway in Italy: it dates back to 1893, several times renovated (last revision in 2020). It is named after Aristide Bruni, who in 1879 climbed first, with others, this unique tower in the first documented climb; the route was then converted into a path equipped with the support of the CAI of Florence.

You go down the same route, with care for those who go up. Back to the base of the Forcinto you go back to CAI 5 left on the way: you go up, you go over the Callare di Matanna and you go down to the car (1h 20' from the end of the ferrata, 3h overall).

It is often combined with the neighbor Ferrata Salvatori at Monte Forato, extending the itinerary of at least 3 hours: from the graft on the CAI 5 it is held the right, then the CAI 121 and the CAI 109 to the Foce di Petrosciana, from which the crest of the Salvatori.