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Sports, fun and nature - all in the great outdoors. A holiday like this is possible in the Mont Amiata area, a paradise for sport lovers and all those who want to explore this beautiful territory. Opportunities to fall in this with Mont Amiata can be had in every season, here are some ideas on how to spend a memorable holiday.
Skiing
When the white blanket of snow covers the mountain, skiers who often come here can choose among the 15 ski lifts, located in four locations on the mountain (the Prato della Contessa, the Prato delle Macinaie, the Marsiliana, and the Cantore Refuge). These modern lifts serve over 25 km of ski trails and slopes, in addition to the resort's 12 km of cross-country ski trails. Ski instructors and ski schools are also available to beginners and children or those who want to brush up on their style. When snow is abundant, the trails that travel through the Amiata woods are a great pleasure. Snow-shoeing trails are also available.
Excursions on foot
Famous in all of Europe is the network of long and short footpaths in Mont Amiata. The most important excursion in this vast network is the 'Ring of the Mountain', a magnificent 28 km-long itinerary that travels around the volcano. The maximum duration of the itinerary is 12 hours and it takes excursionists through the mountain towns and villages, like Abbadia San Salvatore, Vivo d'Orcia, Arcidosso, Piancastagnaio, and Santa Fiora. This footpath is well marked with signs. Other itineraries connect Santa Fiora, Piancastagnaio and the 'Ring of the Mountain' to Monte Civitella and Castell'Azzara. These footpaths travel through the natural reserves of Pigelleto and Monte Penna. The 'chestnut footpaths' are noteworthy for the flora and fauna found, as well as for the castle, villas and old farmhouses along the path.
Trekking
Trekking lovers can combine these various itineraries over a period of a few days, or use the marked routes that connect the footpaths of Mont Amiata with interesting places in the Maremma and Siena province. Along the marked routes in the province of Grosseto, trekkers can go to Pitigliano, Saturnia, Scansano and the Argentario area. The routes in Siena travel to Montalcino, Pienza, Montepulciano, Chiusi and the city of Siena. The Firenze-Siena-Roma footpath, inaugurated in 1996, connects 25 Tuscan cities to the Rome, and crosses the forests of Mont Amiata and the fields of Monte Labbro. All of the marked itineraries in Mont Amiata and environs can also be traveled on horseback with special guides.
Cycling tourism
Many cycle routes (not all of them, however) can be traveled with mountain bikes. For the vast majority of the routes in Mont Amiata, however, it is recommended that cyclists use an all-terrain bicycle that can ride on both uphill and downhill asphalted and dirt roads. Though these bikes are more comfortable than a regular mountain bike, the mechanics of the bikes are the same. Even those who seek classic-style cycling tourism (on asphalted roads only) will find something interesting in the Monte Amiata, northern Maremma and Val d'Orcia areas. The only trafficked section is located along the Via Cassia, and thus it is recommended that you avoid it. Other routes may be difficult for the uphill and down hill climbs. The five routes that travel up the Mont Amiata mountain are recommended for expert cyclists.
Speleology
Whomever wants to try their hand at speleology, can do so in the Sassocolato or Bacheca grottos, located in the natural reserve of Monte Penna. Guided visits are organized to view the presence of a colony of bats, however they occur only a few months in the year and are run by the Gruppo Speleologico l'Orso di Castell'Azzara.
Source: Terre di Toscana
Skiing
When the white blanket of snow covers the mountain, skiers who often come here can choose among the 15 ski lifts, located in four locations on the mountain (the Prato della Contessa, the Prato delle Macinaie, the Marsiliana, and the Cantore Refuge). These modern lifts serve over 25 km of ski trails and slopes, in addition to the resort's 12 km of cross-country ski trails. Ski instructors and ski schools are also available to beginners and children or those who want to brush up on their style. When snow is abundant, the trails that travel through the Amiata woods are a great pleasure. Snow-shoeing trails are also available.
Excursions on foot
Famous in all of Europe is the network of long and short footpaths in Mont Amiata. The most important excursion in this vast network is the 'Ring of the Mountain', a magnificent 28 km-long itinerary that travels around the volcano. The maximum duration of the itinerary is 12 hours and it takes excursionists through the mountain towns and villages, like Abbadia San Salvatore, Vivo d'Orcia, Arcidosso, Piancastagnaio, and Santa Fiora. This footpath is well marked with signs. Other itineraries connect Santa Fiora, Piancastagnaio and the 'Ring of the Mountain' to Monte Civitella and Castell'Azzara. These footpaths travel through the natural reserves of Pigelleto and Monte Penna. The 'chestnut footpaths' are noteworthy for the flora and fauna found, as well as for the castle, villas and old farmhouses along the path.
Trekking
Trekking lovers can combine these various itineraries over a period of a few days, or use the marked routes that connect the footpaths of Mont Amiata with interesting places in the Maremma and Siena province. Along the marked routes in the province of Grosseto, trekkers can go to Pitigliano, Saturnia, Scansano and the Argentario area. The routes in Siena travel to Montalcino, Pienza, Montepulciano, Chiusi and the city of Siena. The Firenze-Siena-Roma footpath, inaugurated in 1996, connects 25 Tuscan cities to the Rome, and crosses the forests of Mont Amiata and the fields of Monte Labbro. All of the marked itineraries in Mont Amiata and environs can also be traveled on horseback with special guides.
Cycling tourism
Many cycle routes (not all of them, however) can be traveled with mountain bikes. For the vast majority of the routes in Mont Amiata, however, it is recommended that cyclists use an all-terrain bicycle that can ride on both uphill and downhill asphalted and dirt roads. Though these bikes are more comfortable than a regular mountain bike, the mechanics of the bikes are the same. Even those who seek classic-style cycling tourism (on asphalted roads only) will find something interesting in the Monte Amiata, northern Maremma and Val d'Orcia areas. The only trafficked section is located along the Via Cassia, and thus it is recommended that you avoid it. Other routes may be difficult for the uphill and down hill climbs. The five routes that travel up the Mont Amiata mountain are recommended for expert cyclists.
Speleology
Whomever wants to try their hand at speleology, can do so in the Sassocolato or Bacheca grottos, located in the natural reserve of Monte Penna. Guided visits are organized to view the presence of a colony of bats, however they occur only a few months in the year and are run by the Gruppo Speleologico l'Orso di Castell'Azzara.
Source: Terre di Toscana
