The village of Gerfalco, the Cornate and the Etruscan violet
Excursion to discover the famous Cornata relief and the village located on the Colline Metallifere
We will walk within a nature reserve, an area that is part of the heritage of the most authentic and wild Tuscany. We will discover incredible scenery and the history of this millenary village located at an altitude of 770 metres above sea level in the centre of the Colline Metallifere (Metal-bearing Hills), where silver, copper and pyrite mines have provided work and sustenance for the inhabitants of Gerfalco for generations.
We will follow a fascinating itinerary with the presence of evident archaeo-mining traces until we reach the mountain peak, from where we will enjoy views that will leave us open-mouthed. We will encounter the beautiful and rare blossoms of the Etruscan violet and the mining amphitheatre of Cava Romano where the red ammonitic limestone used also for the construction of Siena Cathedral was extracted.
We will stop for a packed lunch at a scenic spot. Afterwards, we will return to the beautiful village in the early afternoon to explore its medieval alleyways and end a day's tour in a rare combination of history and nature.
Curiosities:
The road that encircles the medieval village of Gerfalco in its outer perimeter seems to be lost in time. Inside, the structure of the old castle around which the village later developed is visible. The church of San Biagio, with its adjoining convent dating back to 1323, is now also a parish house and summer home for young people.
The tour will take place on Sunday, 15 June 2025, starting at 09:30.
Prices include
- Organization
- Assistance of legally licensed environmental hiking guide under L.R. 86/2016 with RCT policy
Supplemental charges
- Transportation
- Everything not mentioned under the "Prices include" section
Meeting point
Plan
- Length: 12 kilometers
- Difficulty: hiking
- Height difference: 600 meters positive
- Trail type: loop, scenic, and historical interests
- What to bring: packed lunch, water 1.5 liters each, mandatory waterproof hiking or trail shoes, long pants, layered clothing (microfleece, windproof, shell or k-way), optional trekking poles, backpack and battery charger
- Dogs allowed: yes, to be communicated at booking to verify that the maximum number recommended for the excursion is reached
Cancellation
and no-show policies
The guide reserves the right to make changes to the hike to ensure the safety of the group, or to cancel the hike in case of bad weather and/or alertness.
The excursion will be confirmed upon reaching a minimum of 8 people and a maximum of 25 people.
