After a long, hard day of shuffling neck deep in an ocean of sweaty tourists, all determined to experience the most famous attractions of Pisa, a breezy cycle ride down to the park away from the city center will calm your nerves and cool your head. Head down to the Ente Parco RegionaleMigliarino San RossoreMassaciuccoli and invigorate yourself. The name might be a mouthful but everything else about the park will energize you, as you’ll get a chance to explore Pisa’s natural flora and fauna.

The park was established in 1979 and stretches out over 230 square kilometers of coastal area. You can breathe in some fresh air as you look towards the glittering Tyrrhenian Sea. Though it’s located close to a strongly urbanized area, the park has managed preserve much of the wildlife that calls this region their home. In the mid 18th century, the area was densely covered in pines, holm-oaks and heath. Huge common oaks, poplars and alders thrived in the marshy area and languid lagoons lay a few inches away from the rivers Arno and Serchio. Today, 3000 hectares of this land is enclosed by the estate of San Rossore, which is managed by this park, almost completely intact.

What makes this park so essential is its preservation of numerous animals, birds and plants native to Pisa. The park is divided into several main areas, each with their own personality. According to the packaged trek you opt for, you'll be taken to a specific area to explore its surface thoroughly. Massaciuccoli includes a lake and marshland,La Macchia Lucchese is where the wet woods lie and the Vecchiano Farm. Along the coast are the estates of Tenuta San Redness of Tombolo Estate and Estate of Coltan. You’ll hear the flapping wings of a host of majestic birds, such as Mallards, herons, cormorants and buzzards. Little animals like deer, foxes and wild boar will peek at you through the shrubbery, as vipers and other reptiles and amphibians slither and saunter around the ground. The Lake probably has a higher number of species living inside it, such as the Louisiana Red Crayfish and Eels. The entire park area is positively throbbing with life.

The park is only open to the public on Sundays and public holidays, though guided treks are available throughout the week. Around 5 km from the center, you can cycle down and enjoy a delicious barbeque or collect shells around the beach. You can relax under some trees and watch horses race, or saddle up yourself and take a ride around the stables. If you sign up for a trek, then you can visit the rest of the woodland, which is kept as an integral reserve and cannot be visited casually during working days. Whether you fancy a quiet picnic in the grass, a day trek through the marshlands or getting back in touch with indigenous crafts this park, teeming with Pisa’s vibrant natural life, is a treasure chest full of things to do for everyone.

• During the weekdays the public access is allowed with the same schedule of public holidays in the following areas: The Roundabout, the Racecourse, the locality of Cascine Vecchie and Sterpaia. In those days, visitors can enter with their motor vehicles only from the entrance “Ponte alle Trombe”.
• There are many natural biking roads and many small paths to travel on foot, from where you will be to see different animals. Check them out.
• Taking a packaged tour is recommended as this is how you’ll be able to see as much of Pisa’s natural beauty as possible in a day.
• This is a twin park to The Long Island Pine Barrens- same type of ecosystem, dune systems and biodiversity. If you’ve been to Long Island, you’ll have a good idea of the park’s set up.
• The park is opened only during the Sunday's for public.
• Nowadays it houses a large and very popular horse racing venue which makes it almost impossible to visit in racing days.

• Tickets vary according to estate. They also offer different packaged tours for different rates.

• Coach or ecological train transfer service between the railway stations of Pisa S. Rossore, Pisa Centrale, and the schools of the areas adjacent to the Park.

• Ristorante Poldino (Italian/30 Euros per head)
• Osteriadei Cavalieri (Italian/Moderate)
• Sostadei Cavalieri (Italian/Expensive)

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