La Foce a Giovo at 5942 feet is the highest mountain pass in Tuscany. Crossed by a largely unmetalled road it is simply breath-taking.

The pass is surrounded by some of the rockiest Apennines mountains including adjacent Monte Rondinaio (Mount Giovo, Femminamorta, Alpe Tre Potenze) all of which I have climbed at one time or another.

The road, which culminates at the Foce al Giovo, is known as the “Strada dei Duchi” or “Via Ducale”. (Ducal way). In 1818 Maria Luisa of Bourbon, Duchess of Lucca and Francis IV, Duke of Modena wanted to have a good way of crossing the Apennines, in order to have a direct connection between Modena and Lucca without having to pass the custom posts of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.

The work lasted from 1819 until 1829, when it was inaugurated by the Duke and duchess, who met for the first time at Foce al Giovo.  Because the road was supposed to be used by stage coaches the gradients are not that steep. It’s just the surface that is a bit iffy.

Actually the road didn’t prove that useful as it’s snowed up from November until April so if you want to do it you should do it now – provided, of course that you’ve got a decent 4 X 4 vehicle with high wheel-base and that you don’t suffer from back problems.

The road starts from the roundabout when you turn right towards Fornaci di Barga after Fornoli. The sign says Val Fegana and Tereglio.

I did the road a couple of days ago before the great rainfall and, although the surface was pretty firm, it had deteriorated quite a bit from the last time we were there in our trusty old Cinquina, now alas a write-off a as a result of our road accident last May. I almost thought of giving up on my scooter but managed it to the top and it was really worth it! The views are transcendental on both the Tuscan and Emilian side and the colours are virtually psychedelic. As a picture is worth a thousand words let them speak instead:

This road will always remain a high spot in my life in more ways than one. I’m glad to have experienced it so many times and it ever is close to my heart. Who needs go anywhere else in the world if one has this majestic spectacle just round the corner?