Through villages, mysteries, churches and old crosses
» Level of difficulty: easy
Leaving from the gateway, porta dell’Orologio you reach the bottom of
Codaccio where a trail descends to the bridge ponte sull’Ente with on its
sides the ruin of the windmill mulino del Mengone. Walk
a bit alongside the stream that flows on rubbed down trachyte slubs
Move away from there on the confluence with the Arcidosso, follow the
trail till the Fornaci (name stemmed from the ancient furnace that
in the “Fossatello” area used to bake bricks).
Next to the head a small Church from 1715 with a double belfry moved with a
rope dedicated to the “Madonna dei fornaciai” ( Holy Mary of brick bakers). The
image is laid on a barroquean altar. On the façade of the houses you’ll
see the Maggi’s coat of arms ( an old family of Rovera that owned the farms
of the area). Go straight or, turn to the left at the last house, descend the trail that
will lead you to the old hospital of San Lazaro scrapped in 1754, surrounded
by \basins and waterways dug in the peperino (ruin of an ancient irrigation
system). Go on and before you take on the little trail to the left, climb for a few
meters so as to sight the Baldassere Audibert cross (he was officer of Napo-
leon’s army and afterwards he became a penant preacher erecting devotional
crosses all along the tuscan roads but particularly in the Amiata area).
Returning to the trail that leads to Corniolo, a few houses through cultivated
land and greenhouses for flowers, take on to the right and when you reach the
wells turn once again to the right. At Case d’Orfile, after the first two houses,
go on to the left. You will find the convent, Convento dei Cappuccini ( built in
1591 on the land campo di Marte that witnessed belfry brawls between Arcidos
-so and Castel del Piano. The convent preserves wooden altars, paintings by
Giuseppe Nicola Nasinie and, l’”incoronazione,” (coronation) by Francesco
Vanni. On the outdoor you shall find the 1902 tomb of Merope Becchini after
drawings by Porciatti and paintings by the painter from Arcidosso Giuseppe
Corsini); after having passed the one storey-building to the right, a villa of the
Giovannini family (built in 1620 and beautified by the sculptor Pietro Amati)
crossing the tarry road you shall reach San Lorenzo set amid chestnut groves
(here too as in the Pino , there used to be fornaci, but these, differently
from the others were used to bake limestone from which they got lime). At
the fork proceed on the ascent. On your left you will find a small church
, old rural church with altar pand baptistery,pieve with roman characteristics
and XVth and XVI th century wall paintings.
The latter was connected to the pieve of S. Mustiola thanks to a path namely,
“Via delle Pievi”, which passes across the wells of the Pino. Proceed, turning to
the right where occurs another of Audibert’s cross also dated. Then turn to the
previous fork. From there in five-minute time you can descend by a trail to
the tarry road from where, a few meters on the left there is a cave, la Grotta di
Merlino. Maybe a hiding-place for a mysterious rebel from Firenze who was
escaping from the Spaniards dressed as the wizard or maybe this was the tomb
of an Etruscan warrior?
Up on the chestnut grove, there is the mysterious embossed stone: sacrificial
altar with an engraved letter P which means 100 (sacrificed animals), or
maybe medieval iron foundry?
Go back to the previous fork and descend to the Pino. You will find another
Cross. Descend to the Orguadio walking alongside the ditch fosso Corona.
Skip the road and take on to Case del Mafa. Cross the local body (Ente)
and climb back, staying on the right side, till the Codaccio, to return to the
Orologio, the departing spot.
The route of poetry
» Total timing: 3 hours
» Level of difficulty: average
It is a journey rich in natural and scenery varieties.
Salaiola, “ surrounded by hills and mountains, set amid silence restive to the
advancing of time”, is a welcoming village with its old wells, its little village
square with the Church in front, and the poetry…poetry written on the walls,
on the trees, on the stones, on people’s heart… It’s the land of poetry. Every
year in june, at Salaiola dreamers from all Italy gather. And in july they feast
the Moon which seems to have found it’s perfect setting
From the last houses, case delle Macchi,e move to Case Michelotti then
proceed, leave a fork on the left and keep straight on till Case del Ragno.
From there turn to the left and then turn to the right by a chestnut grove. After
about 100 meters once again turn to the right by a little path that descends
towards the ditch, fosso del Piancerrone. Cross and then climb and take on
to a carriageway then continue straight. you will reach the old part of the
place, Roveta Vecchia, a restructured construction that faces beautiful scene-
ry. In this area there used to be a village, il villagio di Casal Roveta rememin the IXth century.
Passing the various forks on the left you will reach a crossroads, take the
road on the middle and pass by a farm, la Fat toria Roveta. From there
you will reach the tarry road, follow it straight on for 200 meters, then take
on to a small route with a road-sign on which is written Località Montagno-
la that leads to the small church of Salaiola.
On your way back just follow the same steps till the crossroads after
the Fattoria Roveta farm. Turn to the right and you will walk a street
excavation at times overrun with vegetation, at times open on magnifi-
cient scenery. After thick tir trees with pic-nic tables, at the fork descend
to the left, and through fields and chestnut groves you will reach to the
Macchie.
Mystical-naturalistic: purple Etruscan route
» Overall timing:
Going timing (Arcidosso-Monte Labro): 3h30’
Return timing (Monte Labro-Arcidosso):3h00’
Going timing (Arcidosso-Parco Faunistico): 3h00’
Return Timing (Parco Faunistico-Arcidosso): 2h30’
» Level of difficulty: journey meant for good walkers
This itinerary makes you visit the awesome wild and stony landscape of
the Monte Labro (1193 m.), a Nature Reserve where green meadow co-
vered with the bright colours of the endemic purple Etruscan stretches
in big open spaces marked out by hedges of hawthorn and plums dotted
by maples and manna ashes and where numerous yet rare spe-
cies of flowers grow through the pearl-like limestones.
Maybe it was due to an agreement between nature and mysticism, pre-
cisely in these places rich in mystery and fascination , that two forms
of spirituality have arisen, yet very different one from the other: David
Lazzaretti’s movement and the Dong-chen comunity.
Proceed from the Monument erected in 1928 on the Cansacchi’s hil-
lock dedicated to the 160 citizens of Arcidosso who died during the
first world war. On the monument’s basis, a tombstone reminds
of the place where Lazzaretti was killed (founder of a religious and
social movement that in the second half of the XIXth century evoked
a storm of protests not only in the Amiata region but in France as well
and in the political and religious power in Rome. His religious renewal
was not separate from social and political ones. They constituted
elements of a same reform that brought big innovation for those times
such as the Society of christian families, Società delle famiglie Cris-
tiane baesd on the cooperative principles of the Holy Gospel. A mutual
insurance system la Cassa di Mutuo Soccorso;, compulsory education
and voting rights for women. He was assassinated in 1878 while he
was descending from a mount in the middle of a pacific procession.
His message of peace and justice is still nowadays very effective. His
philosophy is of great interest to scholars around the world, his thought
evokes cogitation and fascination). Proceed straight on the trail passing
the fork on the left. Turn to the right and stop at the panoramic spot.
You will reach a chestnut grove, at a locality called Torricella from
where many roads go; take the one on the left that will lead you to the
“Crocina”. From there a path descends to the “Puzzole” -smelly- (for
sulphur emissions); climb to the left and reach Merigar (it’s the seat
of the Dong-chen comunity, one of the most important tibetan
cultural centres in the world founded by prof. Namkhai Norbu,
with the aim to preserve it, it’s also the seat of the International
Institute for Shang-shung Tibetan Studies, Istituto Internazionale
di Studi Tibetani Shang-shung. Dzog-chen is a teaching that con-
sists in a method of spiritual perfecting
Stop, upon prenotation, at the Gompa Temple for a visit. Afterwards proceed passing an excavation road you will see on the left. It will be covered on the way back. The path passes close to a geothermic station and opens on a tarry road. From there proceed on the right side of the path to Mount Labro which climbs across roundish fields.
Once you reach the fork it takes 45 minutes to arrive to the Wildlife Park. It is advised to visit the Park a whole day. It is closed on mondays but it has an information desk and a resting area. (The Park which is a centre for research, wildlife conservation and education is divided into big fenced areas crossed by trails that allow visitors to observe, without barriers, animals that live here in almost natural state.
You can find deers, fallow deers, roe deers, mouflons, chamois besides the typical other species of the area such as foxes, hares, porcupines, badgers etc. but also a rich avifauna. From a covered roof-terrace it is possible to see the Apennine wolf. Is also present the “Sorcino Crociato” donkey, an Amiata breed).
Proceeding towards the summit, the trail climbs up and reaches the Le Vene farm. The landscape turns steep but then you arrive the basis of a rocky pyramid. Climbing to the top you would enjoy an awesome panorama: on one side the Amiata Mount and to the other, on cloudless days, the Bolsena lake plain, the coast of the Argentario sea at piombino. The Giglio, Montecristo and Elba islands. Up there is erected the tower built by Davide, under you have a cave which plays a connecting role between earth and sky. This is where his followers gather in order to pray. Around you can find the ruin of the Church (Chiesa) and of the Hermitage among white stones carved by a continuous breeze. On the way back, return to your footsteps till Merigar. Here take on to the right the road that will lead you straight to the PARK HOTEL COLLE DEGLI ANGELI SPA & RESORT.
Regional local body for Maremma
The Maremma Park that faces the Tyrrhenian Sea and is part of the tuscan arcipelago stretches across 25 km with a chain of hills that descends towards the sea. It displays sandy beaches and high rocky reefs surrounded by arshes, pine-woods, cultivated lands and pastures. Among the intense scents of aromatic herbs, coloured berries and animals’ cries, the Park welcomes the visitor showing its nice but at the same time wild side. Contrastive elements which rouse and free the pleasure to feel again in a no longer lost paradise. An opportunity to “set back the clock of time” tuning it to the time of one’s spirit.
How to visit the Park?
The Park is open all year long 24/7. Before entering, you need to buy an entry ticket at the Centri Visite. Itineraries can be covered either alone or by groups accompanied, or not by a guide according to the period of the year.
Useful tips
» Wear walking boots.
» water; a k-way jacket; a hat and mosquito repellent that can prove useful in some periods of the year
How to behave in the Park
» Stay on the trails indicated in the itineraries.
» It is forbidden, and very dangerous, to kindle fire or introduce pets even if they are on leash.
» Do not disturb wild animals and do not give them food.
» Do not drop waste.
» Respect the plants, the animals and the environment.
» Do not make loud noise.
Visiting the Park in summer time (15 June-15 September)
The itineraries A3- LE GROTTE and A4- CALA DI FORNO AND P1-BIRDWATCHING are closed for the high risks of conflagration.
All the other itineraries are visited with guides upon prenotation except for itineraries A5/A6 FORESTALE/FAUNISTICO and A7 BOCCA D’OMBRONE accessible on one’s own. A2 itinerary necessitates a guide but no prenotation. Excursions with German, English and French speaking guides are arranged.
Visiting the Park in Spring, Autumn or Winter (16 September-14 June)
During this period of the year visits are free from 9 a.m. to 1 hour before sunset. All the itineraries are open. The Park offers, in addition, the opportunity to make visits on horse, in coach, on canoe and on bicycle. From Albarese starts the 8 km ½ cycling track that reaches Marina di Albarese.
Pescinello Reserve
Roccalbegna town city
The Pescinello Reserve is situated in the Upper Valley of Albegna,
Alta valle dell’Albegna, on the left bank of the river upstream from
the built-up area of Roccalbegna. It stretches over an overall area
of 149 hectares with another adjacent area of 92 hectares. The territory
is hilly with relieves such as Poggio Crivello and Poggio Cerrino that
have an average height of 800 meters above sea level. Pescinello dis-
plays the same geologic formation of the Rocconi Reserve which is
characterised by various limestones: rosso ammonitico (a lithofacies
which is a type of sedimentary body of rock with specified characeris-
tics); calcarenite also known as dune rock or dune limestone; argillite
and jasper. The territory is notably rough with steep crests that shelter
valuable flora and fauna. Some walls of limestone rock with southern
ex position complete the territory’s varied geological characteristics.
The Reserve is rich in water: springs, ponds, resurgences and drinking
troughs are largely distributed and contribute to keeping high the ter-
ritory’s biodiversity. The flora of this area is true green gold. Dif-
ficult accessibility to several wooded areas, moderate cut performed
using ancient techniques have helped keeping alive very old gigantic
trees within the Reserve.
The rich water availability (from which maybe the name of Pescinello
derives) has allowed that a minor fauna survives when elsewhere they
are endangered or worse are extinct. In ponds and in springs besides
the common newts, you also do have the great crest newt and the
italico newt. Two rare species are present: the yellow-bellied toad and
the crayfish.
Monte Penna Nature Reserve
Castellazzara town city
A series of relieves, all on the south-eastern slopes of the Amiata Mount constitute the regional Nature Reserve of the Monte Penna. Emerge on the top two hillocks the Poggio della Vecchia (1086 meters) and the Civitella one (1107 meters). The area totally falls back on the Castell’Azzara territory and borders on the Pigelleto Reserve in the Piancastagnaio district in the Province of Siena. The mountainous area that is concerned with protection measures goes beyond 1000 hectares included four adjacent areas.
From the geological standpoint there are several aspects to point out. Firstly the rocky outcrop that are part of the Ligure Facies complex: a clayey formation in the Santa Fiora area (Upper Cretaceous-Paleocenous); calcareous-arenaceous formation of Pietraforte (Upper Cretaceous) and clay formation with limestone from Palombino mount (Lower Cretaceous). The Mount Elmo area characterised by karst topography is very significant and so are the caves in the adjacent hillocks. Finally in the Abetina locality is found a direct hydrothermal mineralization , mineralizzazione cinabrifera . Mercury has been quarried from the beginning of the century till 1974.
In the watersheds and in the dolines are found ash tree forests, beeches and Turkey oaks. Of big naturalistic interest is the Fonte wood , on the della Vecchia hillock made up of mixed formation of field maple, Montpellier maple, sycamore and acer opalus obtusatum. The Reserve is almost completely wooded, except small areas around farms. Close to the built-up area of Selvena are present chestnut trees of exceptional dimensions. In the Reserve live birds such as the buzzard, the tawny owl, and the common owl. The fauna also counts mammals such as the fox, the porcupine, the wild boar, the roe deer, the weasel, the polecat, the stone marten and the pine marten. Lastly, is of great interest the populating of bats in caves next to Castellazzara. As far as art and history are concerned we advice to climb up to the ruin of Rocca Silvana.
How to reach it?: From Grosseto take on to the “Due Mari” dual-carriageway till Paganico. From there proceed to Arcidosso, Santa Fiora and then Castell’Azzara. Once you have passed the district, about 2 km after, turn to the right. The Reserve is open. As for guided visits, contact the speleological group, Gruppo speleologico “L’Orso” by calling the following number: 0564/951032
How to reach it?: The Reserve can be reached via Roccalbegna (the shortest way from Grosseto is the one that passes by Istia Ombrone, Arcille and Vallerona) where you need to enter the road to Triana and after about 2 km you have to turn to the left. For further inquiry call the following number: 0564/989176
Rocconi Nature Reserve
Roccalbegna and Semproniano town cities
The Rocconi Nature Reserve stretches across the Upper valley of Albegna, Alta valle dell’Albegna and concerns the Semproniano and Roccalbegna districts. It covers an overall area of 371 hectares with an adjacent area of 253 hectares. This protected area dwells largely on the 130 hectares wwf Oasis. The territory is made up of hills with a maximum height that varies from about 500 meters on sea level on the northern part to the 200 meters of the southern boundary marked by the Paradisone ditch( Fosso Paradisone). It displays a geomorphology extremely varied and rough. Indeed are present in this territory very high rocky walls of heavy limestone on which basis flow the Albegna and Rigo rivers. On their right bank can be seen caves and cavities of which the Crepaccio di Rocconi is the most important.
In the southern part of the Reserve, where orography becomes smoother, we sight instead the characteristics of the Maremma
hinterland still well preserved.
The history of the Rocconi Reserve starts in 1991, following a series of outings in nature by a small group of tuscan ornithologists, members of the Wwf. The Albegna gorge, under the locality Rocchette di Fazio and its feeder the river Rigo, soon revealed to this group of experts an extraordinarily rich fauna and flora.
On the Southern side of the area wood lands prevail. They can be distinguished into: mixed woods especially in the territory between the Albegna and Rigo rivers in which pubescent oak (also known as downy oak) and Turkey oaks are predominant. But ash trees, common hornbeams, maples, pear-trees, apple-trees, cherry-trees and service trees can also be found; a wood with holm oaks prevalence which extends to the west slope of the Rigo and Albegna rivers; shrub flora and riparian trees along the dry bed of the Albegna river. On the southern side of the Reserve it is rather olive, meadows, pastures, uncultured land and small sowing inserted by thick edges of hawthorns, blackberry bushes, elms, sloes and European cornels which play a key role for the wild fauna. Other interesting elements are the vegetal dianthus rupicola associations and the extraordinary variety of spontaneous orchids (25 species in the last census).
As for fauna, the Rocconi Reserve is of great importance. It can number the exclusive presence within itself of rare daytime birds of prey such as the short-toed eagle and the lanner falcon a specie of prior importance to the EU because their number decreases in Europe. Is also worth of interest the existence of the Hermann tortoise and some reptiles such as the longest Italian snake, Elaphe quatuorlineata, the green whip snake, the grass snake, the vipera aspis and the Montpellier snake of Riccioli . Among the mammals let us highlight the presence of the wildcat, the marten, the European badger and from time to time of the wolf and the otter.
The importance of the fauna within the Rocconi Reserve is anyway chiefly ornithological. Indeed a lot of species are on the European “red lists” and handled by the Berna Convention. They are: the Montagu’s harrier, the scops owl, the woodchat shrike, the honey buzzard, the common owl, the kingfisher, the green woodpecker and the white-throated Dipper.
How to reach it? : You can reach the Reserve from Roccalbegna heading towards Santa Caterina. After about 2 km, turn to the left following the signs leading to the oasis. The Reserve is open the whole year. Guided visits are possible only upon reservation. For further inquiry please call the following number: 0564/989115
The Monte Labbro Nature Reserve
Arcidosso town city
The Monte Labbro Nature Reserve (also known as Labro) is situated on the south-western slope of the Amiata Mount. The Reserve extends over 650 hectares between the Zancona torrent and its breeder on its left, the Onazio ditch to the north and the Albegna river to the south. The whole territory is made up of averagely high mountains with relieves such as the Labbro Mount which reaches 1190 meters. The Reserve is characterised by a vegetation with a low presence of trees except in the area of the Onazio river that has Turkey oaks, chestnut trees, elms, hazels, and maples. Chestnut groves can be found especially on the northern slope of the Labbro Mount where they cover 60 hectares of land. Agriculture can be said to be limited to pasture and traditional cultivation. The fauna is represented by countless species, some of which of communal interest. Others are the wildcat, the polecat, the stone marten, the marten and the European badger. The area holds a strategic position for Accipitriformes’ migration. Besides exclusively migrant species, it is possible to observe the short-toed eagle, the honey buzzard, the common buzzard, Montagu’s harriers and the lanner falcon. In addition to birds of prey there are the blue Rock-thrush, the Rock-thrush, the Northern Wheathear and the Alpine accentor. There are numerous reptiles: the green whip snake, the grass snake, the viperas aspis and the Hermann tortoises. The geological formation counts a prevalence of varied limestones. It includes rosso ammonitico (a lithofacies which is a type of sedimentary body of rock with specified characeristics); calcarenite also known as dune rock or dune limestone; argillite and jasper. Karst phenomena have generated dolines, ponors and caves. It is also to be noted on the top of the Labbro Mount the presence of some buildings of historical and cultural value that dates back to the times of Davide Lazzaretti’s doctrine known as Giurisdavidico.
The Amiata Fauna Park
The Amiata Fauna Park
How to reach it?: From Grosseto take on to the “Due Mari” dual-carriageway till Paganico. From there proceed to reach Arcidosso. Go on in the direction of Roccalbegna and after about 8 km turn to the right taking on to the road that leads to Monte Labbro. Follow the road signs till the Park. The latter is open everyday excluded on Mondays from 7.15 a.m to the sunset. The visit must be made following the indicated trails. For further inquiry such as guided visits, please call the following number: 0564/966867
The Basso Merse Nature Reserve
Civitella Paganico town city
The Basso Merse Nature Reserve created in 1996 extends over an impervious territory that joins the province of Siena to that of Grosseto. In the whole area wood land prevails in a combination of holm oaks and deciduous plants such as Turkey oaks, downy oaks, Manna ashes (also known as South European flowering ash) and hornbeams. Where erosion is stronger the wood is replaced by a low vegetation with the prevalence of Ericas and strawberry trees. Along the Merse river and its feeders are present riparia and golena formations where the Populus nigra tops. As for fauna emergency, here you find the largest number of reports of lontra’s specimens an endangered specie. The density of roe deers and fallow deers is moderately high while the avifauna counts an important number of falconiforms: the Eurasian hobby, the honey buzzard, the Eurasian sparrow hawk, the short-toed eagle, the buzzard.
How to reach it?: Coming from Grosseto, or from Siena, the Reserve can be reached driving on the “Due Mari” dual-carriageway and leaving it at the crossroads that leads to Pari. From there proceed in the direction of Terme del Petriolo by the old state highway 223 . One kilometre before Petriolo turn to the right and proceed ahead till the junction of the Merse river with the Farma one. The Reserve is open. For further inquiry please contact the Civitella-Paganico townhall calling the following number: 0564/900723
The Laguna di Orbetello Nature Reserve
Orbetello town city
The Regional Nature Reserve of Orbetello covers an area of 1553 hectares all within the Orbetello town city. Are also included the Patanella wood and the fittings of Casa Giannella, known as the State Nature Reserve for Animal Populating of the Orbetello Lagoon, Riserva Naturale Statale di Popolamento Animale Laguna di Orbetello managed by the Itallian branch of the Wwf. Its flora is constituted by a littoral pine wood (maritime and common pine) and by a sclerofillica vegetation with juniperus phoenicea and sharp cedar, phillyreas, rhamusus alaternus, smilax aspera (also known as rough bindweed), pistacia lentiscus and myrtus communis, holm oak, cork oak with manna ash (also known as South European flowering ash) and downy oak. The ornithological fauna represents the largest component of the Reserve. It is featured by species whose appearance is totally incidental as is the case of the Greater spotted eagle and the bald eagle. Of interest is the contingent of svassi (birds that belong to the podicipediformes order), flamingos, ducks and Eurasian coots.
How to reach it?: The Reserve can be reached driving the Aurelia state highway (south carriageway) entering at the 148th km the road sign indicated by the WWF. It is open from September the 1st to April the 30th. . Guided visits only on Saturdays and Sundays from 9.30 am to 1.30 pm). The other days are open for groups, upon prenotation calling the following number. 0564/870198
The Bosco della SS. (Santissima) Trinità Nature Reserve
Santa Fiora Town city
Management: Province of Grosseto
Year of creation: 2000
The Nature Reserve was created upon proposal of the Comunità Montana Amiata Grossetana. It possesses an interesting Biotope with a vegetation worth being conserved in Italy and that the two national bodies, the Gruppo di lavoro per la conservazione della natura della Società Botanica Italiana and by the Programma di Ricerca Territoriale sulle Aree Naturali da Proteggere performed by the Ministero dei LL.PP took a census of them.
The area of the Reserve is 16 hectares.
It is part of the S.I.C. 119 “High course of the Fiora River”. The Abetina constitutes a ruin nucleus of the European silver fir, endemic entity of the Apennine. Within the Reserve there is a Franciscan Convent of great historic importance.
The Montauto Nature Reserve
Manciano Town city
The Montauto Reserve extends over an overall area of 199 hectares within the Manciano town city, partly owned by Enel,the national energy company. Created in 1996 it borders on the province of Lazio, in close contact with the Vulci Wwf Oasis. The area is characterised by an hydric basin and by a quarry presently out of use. The vegetation close to the ditches is characterised chiefly by raunkiaer plant life-form and system while in other areas are present a populating of Phragmites australis. Next to water prevails shrub formation, while among the herb species we count Carex pendula, Arctium lappa, Galega officinalis and Ranunculus repens. Woodland formation with Turkey oaks and downy oaks prevalence is rather limited. Among the avifauna it is possible to meet the hen harrier, the sparrow-hawk, the common kestrel, the osprey, the barn owl, the Eurasian scops-owl, the little owl, the kingfisher besides the more obvious birds connected to water environment such as the grey heron, the black-crowned night heron and the squacco heron. Among the mammals can be counted the weasel, the polecat, the stone marten, the wild boar, the roe deer, the fox and the porcupine. The European otter can still find shelter in the crystal clear waters of the Fiora river. Worth noting the presence of the crayfish.
How to reach it?: Coming from Grosseto take on to the Aurelia state highway towards Roma till you reach the crossroads that leads to Montalto from where you will proceed in direction of Vulci. After you meet the first crossroads instead of going towards Canino, take on to Manciano. After 4 to 5 km, on the right there is an excavation road that leads to the Reserve. It can be visited only with a guide. For further inquiry please contact the Vulci Oasis, Oasi di Vulci managed by the Wwf calling the following number: 0766/897015.
The Arcipelago Toscano National Park
The Isola del Giglio Town city
The Arcipelago Toscano National Park was created in 1996 and covers an overall territory of 18 thousands hectares and over 40 thousands on the sea. It is administered by the homonymous regional body whose seat is at Portoferraio (Isola d’Elba). The Park concerns chiefly the province of Livorno and only marginally that of Grosseto Indeed there is a southern strip of the Isola del Giglio which is of its competence as is the closest Giannutri island, southern boundary of the Arcipelago. A total of 6400 hectares.
At the Giglio the Park comprises the main reefs and small islands that, in an anticlockwise, join Campese to Cala delle Caldane. The della Pagana hillock (Poggio della Pagana) which dominates the island as the nearby Molino Valley (Valle del Molino) is part of the protected area. The vegetation is chiefly constituted of strawberry trees, tree heath and Alepo pine. Among the typical specimens,we note the Linaria capraria and the Limonium sommerianum. On the island it is not difficult sighting wild rabbits, numerous bird species such as the the manx shearwater, the Great cormorant, the European shag, the hen harrier, the common kestrel, the Audouin’s gull, the yellow-legged gull, the sandwich tern, the Alpine accentor, the Dartford warbler and the corvus corax (crow). It is also possible to sight the mouflon (Ovis orientalis) and next to waterholes lives the Thyrrhenian painted frog unique amphibian of the island.
The vegetation of Giannutri is chiefly made up of Alepo and common pine reafforestation. Among the typical species have survived the holm oak, the Juniperus phoenicea, the Pistacia lentiscus and the Myrtus communis. The avifauna is similar to the one on the Giglio island. Only two species of mammals can be found on the island: the wild rabbit and the mouse. In addition are noted several species of cold blooded vertebrates such as the Euleptes europea, the gecko and the Tarentola mauritanica.
How to reach it?: The two islands can be reached with the ferry embarking at Porto Santo Stefano.
