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Trekking Vetta Mare, from the ancient volcano to the Tuscan sea

Traveling from the summit of Monte Amiata to the Argentario sea through the nature of the Amiata mountains, tuff villages and the Maremma landscape

by  Amiata

Sea or mountains? Here's a 136 km journey that allows you to enjoy both. From the lush mountainous nature of the Amiata to the splendid Maremma countryside, passing through the villages of the tuff towns to the Argentario sea.

The route is largely signposted and crosses the large wooded expanses of the Amiata as well as the hilly and rural landscapes of the Maremma. Ideal for those who love to walk, it's also suitable for mountain bikes, whereas for cyclists it's advised to follow the low-traffic asphalted roads that run alongside the official trekking route.

1.
First day
From the summit of Amiata to Santa Fiora

The journey starts from the summit of Monte Amiata at an altitude of 1,738 meters. After admiring the horizon from the monumental cross, you descend along the slopes of the mountain crossing a centuries-old beech and chestnut woods until you reach the medieval villages of Castel del Piano and Arcidosso.

The itinerary continues in the village of Santa Fiora, once home to the noble families of the Aldobrandeschi and then to the Sforza, whose fortifications and Palazzo Sforza Cesarini are still visible today. Additionally, in Santa Fiora you can admire the sources of the Fiora River that feed the entire Maremma and that gather at the foot of the town in the extraordinary and unmissable Peschiera.

The journey starts from the summit of Monte Amiata at an altitude of 1,738 meters. After admiring the horizon from the monumental cross, you descend along the slopes of the mountain crossing a centuries-old beech and chestnut woods until you reach the medieval villages of Castel del Piano and Arcidosso.

The itinerary continues in the village of Santa Fiora, once home to the noble families of the Aldobrandeschi and then to the Sforza, whose fortifications and Palazzo Sforza Cesarini are still visible today. Additionally, in Santa Fiora you can admire the sources of the Fiora River that feed the entire Maremma and that gather at the foot of the town in the extraordinary and unmissable Peschiera.

2.
Second day
From Santa Fiora to Castell’Azzara

From Santa Fiora, you descend through the woods and hamlets of the municipality of Castell’Azzara, crossing the S.S Trinità and Monte Penna reserves that are both guardians of important native botanical species. Here, the natural mountain scenery of the Amiata continues before transforming into the Maremma rural landscape. Along the way you'll come across the small hamlets of Selvena and Querciolaia. Taking a short detour, you can also reach the historic center of Castell’Azzara, famous for its renowned truffle.

From Santa Fiora, you descend through the woods and hamlets of the municipality of Castell’Azzara, crossing the S.S Trinità and Monte Penna reserves that are both guardians of important native botanical species. Here, the natural mountain scenery of the Amiata continues before transforming into the Maremma rural landscape. Along the way you'll come across the small hamlets of Selvena and Querciolaia. Taking a short detour, you can also reach the historic center of Castell’Azzara, famous for its renowned truffle.

3.
Third day
From Castell’Azzara to Sovana

Leaving behind the typical villages and landscapes of Monte Amiata, from Sovana we begin to reach the world of tuff and Etruscan mysteries. The village welcomes us to Maremma and is the ideal location for accommodation and to visit the Cathedral and the archaeological museum, which houses one of the latest treasures of gold coins found in recent excavations.

A few kilometers away from Sovana, don't miss the intriguing Vie Cave, unique canyons that were dug by man in the tuff mountains and that can be explored in the Sorano Archaeological Park as well as the monumental tombs of Etruscan origin.

Leaving behind the typical villages and landscapes of Monte Amiata, from Sovana we begin to reach the world of tuff and Etruscan mysteries. The village welcomes us to Maremma and is the ideal location for accommodation and to visit the Cathedral and the archaeological museum, which houses one of the latest treasures of gold coins found in recent excavations.

A few kilometers away from Sovana, don't miss the intriguing Vie Cave, unique canyons that were dug by man in the tuff mountains and that can be explored in the Sorano Archaeological Park as well as the monumental tombs of Etruscan origin.

4.
Fourth day
From Sovana to Saturnia

The route crosses the Fiora River and heads towards Poggio Murella. From here a splendid landscape of wonderful roads, historic customs and routes used for transhumance opens up. Along the way you can admire the hot springs of Saturnia, take a bath in the famous Cascate del Mulino and visit the historic center of Saturnia by taking the stretch of the Via Clodia that goes to Porta Romana.

Walking towards the sea, you also pass through the historic center of Montemerano, known for its castle square and the pretty church of San Giorgio that stands next to the walls of this perched village.

The route crosses the Fiora River and heads towards Poggio Murella. From here a splendid landscape of wonderful roads, historic customs and routes used for transhumance opens up. Along the way you can admire the hot springs of Saturnia, take a bath in the famous Cascate del Mulino and visit the historic center of Saturnia by taking the stretch of the Via Clodia that goes to Porta Romana.

Walking towards the sea, you also pass through the historic center of Montemerano, known for its castle square and the pretty church of San Giorgio that stands next to the walls of this perched village.

5.
Fifth day
From Saturnia to Manciano

After Montemarano, continue towards Manciano that's also known as the "Spy of the Maremma" due to the breathtaking view of Corsica and the Gran Sasso. The vista can be admired from the panoramic tower that can be visited for free as well as the prehistoric museum in the city center.

After Montemarano, continue towards Manciano that's also known as the "Spy of the Maremma" due to the breathtaking view of Corsica and the Gran Sasso. The vista can be admired from the panoramic tower that can be visited for free as well as the prehistoric museum in the city center.

6.
Sixth day
From Manciano to Capalbio

From Manciano, you travel down towards the sea, but not before having made a stop in Capalbio: the alleys of the historic center, perched on a hill create a wonderfully historic atmosphere. In addition to being able to stay there, you can visit the Rocca Aldobrandesca and the city walls from which you can admire the beautiful panorama that shows you the way to the coast.

A few kilometers away, take a detour towards the hamlet of Pescia Fiorentina where you'll find the charming and colorful Tarot Garden, a park that's open to the public and that houses large and imaginative sculptures that are much appreciated by both children and adults.

From Manciano, you travel down towards the sea, but not before having made a stop in Capalbio: the alleys of the historic center, perched on a hill create a wonderfully historic atmosphere. In addition to being able to stay there, you can visit the Rocca Aldobrandesca and the city walls from which you can admire the beautiful panorama that shows you the way to the coast.

A few kilometers away, take a detour towards the hamlet of Pescia Fiorentina where you'll find the charming and colorful Tarot Garden, a park that's open to the public and that houses large and imaginative sculptures that are much appreciated by both children and adults.

7.
Seventh day
From Capalbio to Porto Ercole

This leg of the journey brings you through the Feniglia, a six kilometer long sand dune and dense pine forest that connects the Argentario with the mainland. While walking here, you may meet deer and protected species of birds. In the glorious area there are many entry points through the Mediterranean scrub that lead you to the beach in just a few steps.

On the other side via the promontory, you are welcomed into Porto Ercole, the beautiful village overlooking the crystal-clear, glittering sea of the Argentario.


To find out more:
Vetta-Mare route, official page

This leg of the journey brings you through the Feniglia, a six kilometer long sand dune and dense pine forest that connects the Argentario with the mainland. While walking here, you may meet deer and protected species of birds. In the glorious area there are many entry points through the Mediterranean scrub that lead you to the beach in just a few steps.

On the other side via the promontory, you are welcomed into Porto Ercole, the beautiful village overlooking the crystal-clear, glittering sea of the Argentario.


To find out more:
Vetta-Mare route, official page

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