Why visit the Grotta del Vento in summer? Here are 5 great reasons!
Summer is the perfect time to explore nature, discover new places and enjoy experiences that are out of the ordinary. If you’re in Tuscany or planning a holiday in the Garfagnana region, the Grotta del Vento is an unmissable destination. Located about an hour from Lucca, in the heart of the Apuan Alps Park, the cave lies in an area rich in fascinating and spectacular karst phenomena.
But why visit the Grotta del Vento in the summer specifically? Here are 5 great reasons to come and see us during the warmest season of the year!
1. The perfect climate – even on the hottest days
Inside the cave, the temperature remains constant all year round: around 10.7°C, which corresponds to the annual average above ground. It’s a natural haven for anyone seeking a break from the summer heat. Just step inside and you’ll instantly feel refreshed – no air conditioning needed! It’s the ideal chance to enjoy an underground adventure while cooling off.
2. Picnic with a view over the Apuan Alps
Outside the cave, there’s a picnic area set amongst the trees, offering breathtaking views of the Apuan Alps. After your visit, you can enjoy your lunch in the shade, surrounded by stunning scenery and the peace and quiet of the mountains – the perfect moment to relax and take in the day. Alternatively, just 100 metres from the Grotta del Vento, you’ll find the Locanda ExtrAntrum (“outside the cave”), where Paolo and Francesca await you. The restaurant is open daily with non-stop service from 11am to 5pm – a practical solution for the varying times of the tours at the Grotta del Vento. Dinner is also available by reservation. To book a table, call: +39 328 0058119 or +39 328 8554138.
3. Local festivals and traditions – a summer of flavour
Summer in Garfagnana means food festivals, village fairs and authentic local traditions. A visit to the Grotta del Vento can become the perfect opportunity to taste the region’s delicious specialities. Traditional dishes such as polenta, spelt, crisciolette, cured meats and local cheeses await you in the many villages of the area – a complete experience that combines nature and gastronomy.
Some highlights include:
- From 12 to 22 June, Il Pane e le Rose in Gallicano – ideal for live music lovers.
- From 17 to 27 July, Le Piazzette di Barga transforms one of Italy’s most beautiful villages with street food and music in its charming old town.
- On 14, 15 and 16 August, the nearby village of Trassilico comes alive for the Pane e Biroldo festival.
There are also plenty of food fairs, tasting walks and events throughout July and August, such as the Sagra delle Crisciolette in Cascio, or the medieval festival in Castiglione di Garfagnana, where the village is transformed with period costumes, ancient crafts and traditional flavours.
From 9 August, Castelnuovo di Garfagnana hosts the Settimana del Commercio – ten evenings of late-night shopping, music, culture, food and games.
We recommend checking the updated calendar of events on this website:
https://www.turismo.garfagnana.eu/ricerca-eventi/calendario-eventi-in-garfagnana/
4. Guided tours every day – with all itineraries available
Unlike in winter, during the summer all cave routes are available every day of the week. This gives you maximum flexibility to plan your visit, with the chance to choose between short, medium or long tours – suitable for all ages and levels of curiosity.
With its three itineraries, the Grotta del Vento offers an in-depth look at all aspects of the underground world: vertical shafts, underground streams and chambers filled with astonishing formations shaped by water over thousands of years.
The first itinerary, “The Magic of the Formations”, the flattest one of the three, features a stunning crystal lake and many calcite formations such as stalactites, stalagmites and flowstones, most of which glisten, exhibit a variety of different colours, and are still growing.
- Duration: 1 hour Distance: 800 m Steps: 366
The second itinerary, “The Erosive Action of Water”, continuation of the first itinerary, starts with the descent of the Giants’ Abyss, which leads to an area in which the cave is still growing. Here, the calcite formations give way to large forms of erosion, a small underground stream and bizarre mud formations that resemble miniature forests.
- Duration: 2 hours Distance: 1500 m Steps: 850
If you choose the the third itinerary, “The Thrill of the Abyss”, you will experience the complete tour of the Grotta.
This tour includes a visit to a 90 m perfectly vertical shaft, which is climbed before reaching a vast chamber, followed by a small underground canyon. This part of the cave then connects to the the most richly decorated area via the Branch of Wonders.
- Duration: 3 hours Distance: 2200 m Steps: 1195
5. The impressive wind
The name Grotta del Vento – “Wind Cave” – is no coincidence! On the hottest summer days, the wind blowing from the cave’s entrance can reach speeds of up to 40 km/h. It’s a spectacular natural phenomenon that you’ll feel the moment the door at the entrance opens: a powerful, refreshing gust that takes visitors by surprise. Don’t worry – you can’t feel the wind during the tour itself, but at the entrance… you’ll understand exactly where the cave got its name from!
In conclusion…
Visiting the Grotta del Vento in the summer is not just a way to escape the heat – it’s a complete experience: a combination of spectacular landscapes, culture, food traditions and unspoilt nature.
It’s a perfect opportunity for all ages – families, couples, groups, and even solo travellers in search of natural beauty and an opportunity to cool down.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Grotta del Vento – for a truly unforgettable summer!
Book your visit now!
