How to get there

Lo Scopeto is located between the villages of Palleggio and San Cassiano di Controne (referred to as simply ‘San Cassiano’ on local road signs). San Cassiano is just off a main road, the SS 12, on the route from Lucca to Abetone. San Cassiano is not usually marked on maps, but Bagni di Lucca is (Recommended map = AA road map of Tuscany, Italy series 2, 1 cm = 2.5 km). If you hire a car they will give you a map if asked.

Directions from Pisa airport to Lucca, taking the motorway

Follow green (not blue) motorway signs out of airport and follow Genoa then Firenze (Florence) direction. Get on the motorway, A12, (taking ticket at barrier). Come off at Pisa Nord exit, and keep following Firenze direction still on the motorway system. Take 2nd exit for Lucca ‘Lucca Est’ (east) not first exit, Lucca Oest (west) which is also signed for Viareggio. You will come off the motorway system at Lucca, cost is about 2 euros. Speed limits are 130 kph when dry 110 kph when wet.

You come off at a roundabout with a Macdonalds restaurant nearby – drive past, keeping right! (Do not worry, this is the only one for miles around, and about 40 minutes drive from the house). Drive straight ahead until you see the Lucca walls in front of you, you will pick up signs for the SS12, direction Abetone. Always follow these signs. You should not drive in through the walls of Lucca, but stay on the ring road that circles the town.

In Lucca itself, whether you use motorway or local roads

The roundabout exit off the ring road north to Abetone (SS12) is well signed and just past a large grassy area with a statue & flower beds. You are now on the road to the house and heading for the hills ahead of you. Leave Lucca and keep following signs for Bagni di Lucca and Abetone.

Driving north from Lucca & finding the house

Drive up the Serchio valley, past Borgo a Mozzano and the Devil’s Bridge and from then on keep the River Lima on your left. There are various points you can cross & cross back but there is no need. Drive past Bagni di Lucca on the SS 12 still keeping river Lima on your left. Leave the SS 12 at next turning left which is about 10 mins drive along the river valley, and signed to San Cassiano and Pallegio. (The turning is on a bend just past Astracaccio.) Wind up steep hill for a few minutes. After you go through Pallegio and out the other side, my house is visible on the hillside opposite in day time. If you’re arriving at night, I’ll try to remember to leave some lights on. After about 100 metres, you pass a ruined old stone building on the right. After another 200 metres, you’ll see a stone wall rising up on the right and a rickety looking stone shed. This is the driveway. You can’t really turn straight in unless you have a tiny car. It usually requires a 3 point turn because the turn is so tight. If you don’t wish to take the steep driveway, stay on the road for a further 50 yards and park up at the bend in the road on the left.

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