A pioneer ski resort, it became an aristocratic refuge for smart Florentines. The way is steep and the forest promises little in the way of pistes, but Abetone commands four beautiful valleys with 30 km of downhill runs. Cutigliano (13 km south) and San Marcello (18 km south) are more recently developed. With Abetone they form a trio of sophisticated summer and winter holiday locations. Puccini used to come here to walk in the woods. You find skating, bowling, tennis, football and swimming; theatre, discos, cinema, restaurants and snack bars; ski schools and ski hire. Where the Lima river breaks out of the mountain, canoeing (for experts only) is being added to the activities.

Gavinana, next door to San Marcello, has a quieter air and some distinctive arcaded buildings. Gravelled stream beds facilitate walking through fantastic gorges.