Autumn is the perfect time to leave the city and enjoy a day immersed in nature. And what’s better than a walk through the woods in search of chestnuts? A simple, economical activity also suitable for families, which allows you to rediscover the pleasure of being outdoors.
For those who live in Milan, there is no shortage of possibilities. A short distance from the city, among the hills of Brianza, the woods of Varesotto and the first pre-Alpine valleys, there are numerous paths where you can admire the foliage, walk among the chestnut trees and, where permitted, collect fruit that has fallen to the ground.
The best period is generally between October and the first days of November, although a lot depends on temperatures, altitude and the progress of the season.
But where to go to look for chestnuts near Milan? Here are seven destinations to consider for a fall trip, some reachable in less than an hour, others ideal for spending an entire day out of the city.
Montevecchia Park and Curone Valley: among chestnut trees and hills of Brianza
About 45-60 minutes from Milan, in the province of Lecco, the Montevecchia and Valle del Curone Regional Park is one of the most evocative destinations for an autumn walk.
The area is characterized by hills, woods, vineyards and small rural villages. During autumn, the paths are covered in colorful leaves and pass through areas where numerous chestnut trees also grow. You can start from the surroundings of Montevecchia or explore the routes of the Curone Valley, choosing the itinerary based on the time available and your preparation.
Be careful, however: many woods in the Park are privately owned and the chestnuts belong to the owners of the land, even when they have already fallen. To collect them it is therefore necessary to obtain the owner’s consent.
Appiano Gentile and Tradate Pine Forest Park: among the woods of Varesotto
Another interesting destination is the Pineta Park of Appiano Gentile and Tradate, a large natural area that extends between the provinces of Como and Varese, reachable in approximately 40-60 minutes from Milan, depending on the entrance chosen.
Here you can walk along paths surrounded by Scots pines, oaks and chestnut trees, in a particularly evocative environment during the autumn months.
Among the itineraries to take into consideration is the Sentiero delle Tracce, a path in the woods of approximately 3.5 kilometres, suitable for those who want a not too demanding walk.
The Park also has an advantage for those who want to organize a trip without a car: several localities in the surrounding area, including Tradate, Mozzate and Venegono, are served by the railway.
As regards harvesting, the Park’s forestry regulations provide for a maximum limit of 2 kilograms of chestnuts per day per person for those who do not own the funds. Before the visit it is however important to check the updated provisions and any local restrictions.
Imagna Valley: chestnut groves and small villages in the Bergamo mountains
Those willing to travel a little further from Milan can head towards Valle Imagna, in the province of Bergamo, which can be reached in approximately an hour and a half by car. It is a valley where the chestnut represents an important element of the traditional landscape, together with the meadows, woods and small rural centres.
Among the locations to take into consideration are Rota d’Imagna and the nearby villages, from which various routes immersed in nature depart. The Imagna Valley is particularly suitable for those who want to combine an autumn walk with the discovery of the villages and local gastronomic traditions.
Here too, of course, it is necessary to verify that harvesting is permitted, respecting private land and any limitations.
Val Seriana: an autumn walk through woods and mountains
Val Seriana, also in the province of Bergamo, is another interesting destination for hiking lovers. Places such as Clusone and Castione della Presolana offer numerous itineraries surrounded by greenery, with mountain panoramas that take on particularly evocative colors during autumn.
To find chestnut trees, however, it is preferable to focus on areas at lower altitudes, where the climatic conditions are more favorable to the growth of this species. Not all the paths in the valley pass through chestnut groves: it is therefore advisable to find out about the routes and the characteristics of the woods before leaving.
However, the area is perfect for those who want to spend a day in nature, perhaps with a stop in the small historic centers of the area.
Val Brembana: discovering the Bergamo woods
Val Brembana also holds ideal landscapes for a trip during the chestnut season. This Bergamo valley is characterized by extensive wooded areas, small villages and hiking routes suitable for different levels of preparation. To look for environments favorable to the presence of chestnut trees, it is advisable to explore especially the lower areas, where this plant finds more suitable conditions for growth.
The surroundings of San Pellegrino Terme and the towns of the lower valley can represent a good starting point for organizing a walk. Even in this case, the presence of chestnut trees does not automatically imply the possibility of harvesting their fruits: before doing so, the necessary authorizations must be verified.
Valsassina: chestnuts and foliage at the foot of the Lecco mountains
Valsassina, behind Lecco, is an interesting destination for those who want to spend a day away from city traffic. Among meadows, woods and small mountain villages, it offers numerous opportunities for walking and admiring the autumn landscape.
Locations such as Introbio, Primaluna and Cortenova can be used as starting points to explore the surroundings. Chestnut trees grow above all in environments suitable for altitude and exposure, so it is not certain that they are present along all hiking routes.
For this reason, if the main objective is harvesting, it is preferable to find out in advance about the areas where the chestnut groves are located and the related rules.
Oltrepò Pavese: among chestnut trees, villages and flavors of autumn
For those who want to organize a slightly longer trip, the Oltrepò Pavese is one of the most interesting alternatives. This area, south of Pavia, is characterized by hills, vineyards and woods which become particularly evocative during autumn.
Among the places to consider is Varzi, a village known for its historic center and gastronomic traditions. In the surrounding area, moving towards the more wooded areas of the Apennines, there are environments favorable to the growth of chestnut trees.
The Oltrepò Pavese is therefore an ideal destination for those who want to combine a walk in nature with the discovery of typical products and small towns in the area.
When are chestnuts harvested in Lombardy?
The harvest period varies depending on weather conditions and altitude, but is generally concentrated between the end of September and November. October is the most suitable month, especially in hilly areas and medium-altitude woods. Ripe chestnuts can be recognized because they spontaneously fall to the ground, often inside shells that are starting to open.
To organize the collection it is preferable to choose dry days and avoid particularly slippery paths after rain.
What to bring to collect chestnuts
Before leaving it is useful to prepare a backpack with a few essential items:
During harvesting it is important not to damage the trees, avoid breaking branches and limit yourself to fruits that have already fallen naturally to the ground. It is also better to check each chestnut, discarding those with small holes, mold or obvious signs of deterioration.
Can chestnuts be freely collected in the woods?
Before organizing a trip it is essential to remember that not all woods are open to chestnut harvesting, even when they are freely accessible for walks. Many lands are privately owned and the fruits of the trees belong to the owners, including chestnuts that have already fallen on the land.
In some protected areas there may also be quantitative limits, restrictions or specific rules. The Montevecchia and Valle del Curone Regional Park, for example, has drawn visitors’ attention to the need to respect the private ownership of chestnut groves.
Before leaving it is therefore always advisable to consult the Park regulations or ask the Municipality for information.
What if it wasn’t possible to harvest chestnuts? No problem: a day spent walking among the autumn colours, breathing fresh air and discovering new corners of Lombardy is still an excellent way to get away from the city routine.
