The Ferriere Suspension Bridge: A Walk Above the Treetops in the Heart of Tuscany
If you're looking for something that goes beyond the usual tourist trail — a destination where history, nature, and a touch of healthy adrenaline come together — the Ferriere Suspension Bridge near San Marcello Piteglio is exactly what you're looking for. Just 35 kilometres from Villa Agnolaccio, this extraordinary iron footbridge is one of the most fascinating and lesser-known gems of the Pistoia Apennines.
The Ferriere Suspension Bridge: A Record with Deep Roots
Suspended between two forested slopes above the Lima torrent, the Ferriere Bridge stretches for 227 metres in length, reaches a maximum height of 36 metres above the riverbed, and is just 80 centimetres wide. Walking it is an experience you simply do not forget.
But this bridge is more than a breathtaking view. It carries a real story with it.
It was inaugurated in June 1923, born from an idea by Count Vincenzo Douglas Scotti, director of the Mammiano Basso rolling mill belonging to the Società Metallurgica Italiana. The problem was simple but urgent: the workers who lived in the village of Popiglio had to walk nearly 6 kilometres every day just to reach the factory on the opposite bank of the Lima. The bridge cut that journey to a matter of minutes.
Construction began in 1920, with around thirty workers anchoring the steel cables into the rock. The result was a walkway of wooden planks and metal netting — no intermediate supports, spanning the entire width of the river in a single, daring arc.
In 1990, the Ferriere Bridge entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world. It held that title until 2006, when it was overtaken by the Kokonoe Yume bridge in Japan. But in the Pistoia mountains, it remains — without question — something extraordinary.
What to Expect When You Walk It
The crossing The bridge sways gently as you walk. That's normal, and it's part of the magic. The views below — the Lima cutting through the rocks, the dense chestnut forests on either side — are something you won't find in any guidebook photo. Take your time. Look down. Breathe.
The approach paths The bridge connects the hamlet of Mammiano Basso to the village of Popiglio. You can park near either access point and walk to the bridge in a few minutes. The surrounding paths are well-marked and perfect for a short hike before or after the crossing, with the river always within earshot.
Night visits Since 2014, the bridge has been lit up after dark. Seeing it illuminated against the black of the Apennine night is a completely different — and equally memorable — experience.
The surrounding valley The Lima Valley (Val di Lima) in the municipality of San Marcello Piteglio is one of those corners of Tuscany that feels genuinely untouched. Cool air, dense woodland, mountain streams. In summer, it's a natural escape from the heat of the plains. In autumn, it turns into a canvas of gold and amber.
Practical Information
The bridge is freely accessible and open year-round. There is no entrance fee. Access points are at Mammiano Basso and Popiglio, both in the municipality of San Marcello Piteglio, in the province of Pistoia.
Wear comfortable, closed shoes — the walkway is narrow and can be slippery in humid conditions. The bridge is suitable for most people, though those with a strong fear of heights may want to think twice. It is not recommended for pushchairs or wheelchairs. Early morning visits are ideal: the light is softer, the valley quieter, and the mist over the Lima gives the whole scene an almost cinematic quality.
Villa Agnolaccio: Your Base for the Pistoia Mountains
The Ferriere Bridge is just 35 kilometres from Villa Agnolaccio — roughly 40 minutes by car along scenic Apennine roads that are themselves worth the journey. From here, you can plan a full day in the mountains: morning crossing of the bridge, lunch in one of the local trattorias in San Marcello Piteglio or Cutigliano, an afternoon walk along the Lima, and a quiet return to the villa as the evening light settles over the Tuscan hills.
Staying at Villa Agnolaccio means having a peaceful, well-positioned base from which the best of the Pistoia province is within easy reach — without the noise and rush of the better-known destinations. Here you wake up to breakfast made with local products, leave at your own pace, and come back to a garden and a silence that only authentic Tuscany can offer.
Why choose Villa Agnolaccio to visit the Ferriere Bridge:
Only 35 km away — about 40 minutes by car
Ideal base for exploring the Pistoia Apennines and the Lima Valley
Peaceful retreat after a day in the mountains
Breakfast with local Tuscan products every morning
Perfect position to combine multiple day trips: Pistoia, Lucca, Florence, and the mountains all within reach
Imagine the perfect day: a slow breakfast at the villa, the winding drive up into the Apennines as the morning mist burns off, the crossing of the bridge with the Lima below your feet, lunch in a mountain trattoria, a walk through the chestnut forest, and then back down to Villa Agnolaccio — dinner outside, the warm Tuscan air, the sounds of the countryside.
Book your stay at Villa Agnolaccio and make the Ferriere Bridge part of your Tuscan story. Some experiences stay with you long after you've come home.