All the
itineraries on the heights behind Rivalto, start from Via dei Poggi, a long road that, from the center of the village,
near the Bar
of Mirella, cuts on one side what was the agricultural area of Canapaia, today partially used as an
area with accommodation and residential facilities, and on the other side the Poggiopiano hill, where the Sanctuary
of the Madonna del Carmine is located.
After about 500mt
from the beginning of Via dei Poggi,
on the right, is the Rivalto Cemetery
and, continuing on the left, the farmhouses of the ancient rural estates Podere Canapaia and Podere Le Croci, now restored respecting the architectural style of
the village in stone.
Proceeding, on
the left, a dirt road surrounded on the sides by cypress trees, marks the
natural entrance of Poggio Meletro,
a wooded
hill behind Rivalto that represents a pleasant walk, partly on beaten
ground, partly on branches within the wood.
In the past,
during the period of the Second World War,
Poggio Meletro represented a refuge
for the local population and, due to its privileged position, a lookout point
for anti-aircraft defense (DICAT - Defense Against Territorial Air Attacks).
The area of Poggio Meletro is of naturalistic
interest, populated by local flora and fauna, it also represents a hunting area
during the hunting season and, in spring, offers the best of itself, with all
the shades of green of dense and luxuriant vegetation and enriched, in the
undergrowth, with colorful wild flowers, among which stand out cyclamens and
daisies.
Going up the
hill, before reaching the summit, you come across an old stone estate, now
restored and turned into an accommodation facility which welcomes tourists looking for relaxation and
isolation from noise in its well-kept garden with panoramic swimming pool.
From Poggio Meletro you can enjoy numerous
360 ° panoramic views: from the expanse of Canapaia,
to I Poggi hills behind Rivalto, to
continue towards Poggiopiano with the
village of Collemontanino behind it,
and again the area of Cimpoli
and beyond, more in the distance, the
winding hills of the Valdera.