Into the waters of the river Serchio - which gives its name to the valley - flow a myriad of streams through deep gullys. The Lima is one of them.
It rises in mount Maiori in the province of Pistoia then, flowing south-eastwards through the Commune, between the Abetone and the Libro Aperto (“Open Book”), it winds tortuously for 37 km. down to where it joins the Serchio in the valley of Bagni di Lucca.
Crossing the provinces of Pistoia and Lucca, first of all in a south-easterly direction, it then follows the Apennine ridge that runs parallel to the Serchio, flowing through a valley of open woodland. On reaching the Ponte (bridge) alla Lima it suddenly changes direction, bending to the West along a rough and rocky course, between the Monte Caligi range on its right and the hills of Piteglio to the left, finally plunging into the Serchio near to Bagni di Lucca.
Its course can thus be divided into two sections: the upper course, in the high Valle, between the Abetone and the confluence with its tributary the Verdiana; and the lower one, in which both its speed and appearance become more lively. In this section, nearby the Ponte (bridge) di Lucchio, the river cuts through the narrow valley’s rocky landscape forming a gully 20 metres across and as deep, then going on through the Strette di Coccigliauntil the Ponte Nero.
The two sections of the river have led to a differentiation in the landscape, settlement and historical development of many villages and hamlets in the Val di Lima: the people of the Alta (high) Valle gravitate towards the province of Pisoia, along the lines of communication composed of the Limestre and Reno valleys and the Monte Oppio and Piastre passes; the lower section belongs to the Province of Lucca and gravitates towards Lucca, although this took place only after the unification of Italy in 1860, thanks to the construction of the road from Ponte alla Lima to Bagni di Lucca.
The lower stretch of the Lima is furrowed by numerous deep valleys, teeming with tributaries: from the right, bounded by the Prato Fiorito, Uccelliera, Limano and Mosca hills, descending the “Coccia di Vico” and the Coccia di Limano, which flow into the Scesta, which rises at the outlet of the Campolino, Refubbri and Camaione.
Into the Lima from the right flow the Liegora, Diana, Benabbiana and Buliesima.
The tectonic movements and erosion have given rise to the enormous variety and roughness of the region, which even now contains inaccessible and secluded spots, fascinating us with their unique character, especially in the narrows at Tana Termini and Orrido di Botri.
The Lima clearly divides the Bagni di Lucca municipality into two zones: The smaller zone is made up of the northern slopes of the Pizzorne hills (1,023 m.), Battifolle (1,109 m.), mount Foggetta (1,123 m.) and Penna di Luchio (1,176 m.); the much larger zone is bordered by the Lima, the Fegana, the Apennine ridge with the Alps of the Tre Potenze (1,787 m.) and mounts Ucceliera (1,650 m.) and Caligi (1,475 m.).In the middle of the second of these lie mount Mosca (1,480 m.) and Pratofiorito (1,287 m.).All of these high peaks, furrowed by numerous mule tracks and paths, are excellent for walks, riding and mountain biking.