Abetone is a town located in the province of Pistoia, about 80 km northwest from Florence and 49 km northwest from Pistoia. It borders the following towns: Bagni di Lucca, Coreglia Antelminelli, Cutigliano and Fiumalbo.
Abetone (in Italian "large fir") was created as a custom post on the main road from the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and the Duchy of Modena, built from 1732. The name derives from that of a large tree cut down to allow the construction proceeds.
In Winter, Abetone is also a renowned ski resort, where it’s possible to practice any kinds of winter sports. The ski access points are at Faidello (1220 m), Abetone (1400 m), Le Regine (1200m) Plan di Novello (1150m) and Cutigliano (733m). The area has 54 lifts over a wide area with 27 at Abetone itself, including many chairs. These access an extensive network of mixed-ability ski runs above and below the tree-line. The highest point (Monte Gomito) is 1940 m. 20 kilometers of the ski slopes have snow-making facilities. Visitors will find 2 ski schools. A curiosity: Zeno Colò, one of the greatest Italian skiers, was born here in 1920.
MAIN SIGHTS
Resorts close to Abetone include: Cimone (6 km), Cutigliano (8 km), Lizzano in Belvedere/Corno alle Scale (17 km), Frassinoro Piandelagotti (20 km), Monte Amiata (159 km).
Orto Botanico Forestale dell'Abetone, a botanical garden located in Fontana Vaccaia, Abetone, Province of Pistoia. It is open daily in the warmer months. The garden was inaugurated in 1987 and currently is managed by a consortium composed by the Tuscany Region, State Forestry Corps, Mountain Community dell'Appennino Pistoiese, and the Universities of Florence, Pisa and Siena. It hosts about 300 plant species native to the northern Apennine Mountains, including blueberry, gentian, saxifrage, lily, moss and lichen, orchid, primrose, as well as fir, beech, birch,spruce, and willow.