Northern Maremma: 3 places for nature lovers

The Poggio Tre Cancelli Nature Reserve, placed at the center of Montioni Park, was created in 1971 with the aim of studying the greenery present in the forest. That is why it is absolutely forbidden to access the central area of the Reserve, and the only way to visit it, it is to walk along the trail that surrounds the area. As for the flora in the area, it is possible to observe examples of Holm, Turkey, and Cork Oaks; whilst for the fauna, the most present species are wolves and boars.

It is not possible to get to Poggio Tre Cancelli by car, you can get there on foot or by mountain bike, cycling within the different trails of the Montioni Park. Starting from the parking, the path number 9 is the fastest one, leading directly to the Reserve.

A few minutes from the village of Montieri, in the direction of Massa Marittima and Monterotondo, is the Montieri Lake, inside a dense wood. This small lake basin is home to the rare Hottonia palustris (Water Violet), an aquatic flora in steep decline and protected by the Region of Tuscany.

The Padule of Scarlino is an area of 140 hectares, the only remaining of a wider marshy area, now reduced after a series of reclamation works done along the years. The Marsh represents, today, a huge natural resource for the Northern Maremma, due to the presence of different bird species, some of which are very rare, like the Sedge Warbler or the Bittern. Precisely because of the presence of so many birds, the Marsh has become an important destination for birdwatchers over the years.

It is accessible through a raised path starting at the former Hydraulic Toll Station of Puntone di Scarlino and allows a journey through the entire area. It is possible to get there by car via the Provincial Road of Collacchie, or on foot and by bike through the pedestrian and bicycle path that runs eastward from Follonica seafront.