By bike in the Amiata to the headwaters of the Albegna River

An intense itinerary, but perfect to plunge into the landscapes of the Amiata and Grosseto Maremma, from Arcidosso to the headwaters of the Albegna River. The most challenging stretches are the two climbs at the foot of Monte Labbro: the first from the locality of Serra, shortly after the start, and the second in the final part of the itinerary, which crosses the Pescinello Nature Reserve.

We start from the Arcidosso roundabout in the direction of Grosseto. After 250 meters, at the crossroads, we keep left taking the Provincial Road 7 in the direction of Cinigiano - Grosseto, proceeding along an easy and non-demanding climb. After 2 kilometers, we reach the locality of Serra, where we turn left uphill following the signs for Macchie, Zancona and the Wildlife Park; we climb on a paved road for almost 3.5 kilometers to the locality of Macchie (5.6) and when we reach house number 66 - on the right - we turn sharply to the left.

We ride uphill and, after 700 meters, the dirt road begins. We climb gradually and then, after 4 kilometers, we reach an intersection where we turn right: we ride on a steady climb and after 400 meters we turn left. From this moment begins a valley stretch (up and down not too challenging) that runs along the small valley, on the left, where the headwaters of the Albegna River are located.

After about 3 kilometers, having reached a very scenic point, the road begins to descend sharply toward Roccalbegna: the entire descent offers spectacular views of the Maremma around the Grosseto area, the coast and the Argentario.

When we reach a crossroads with a fountain, the road forks: turn left and, almost immediately, the climb begins, ending after 1 kilometer and 200 meters; at this point it is important to pay attention: on the right, at the bottom, we can see a wooden post with a red-and-white aluminum plaque identifying the paths of the province of Grosseto. Therefore, leave the road and take the small road on the right (U-bend), which soon becomes a path that is hard to ride on a bike due to the presence of large stones: only those who are technically skilled can remain in the saddle.

The technical stretch ends after 600 meters, when we continue on the dirt road steeply and smoothly downhill to Roccalbegna (20) where we return onto asphalt on the Provincial Road 160. We turn left through the village (which is worth a stop) to the bridge over the Albegna.

From here we start climbing gently again for about 3 kilometers until we reach the sign indicating the Pescinello Nature Reserve (23): at this point we turn left taking the dirt road that climbs steadily for 5.7 kilometers toward Monte Labbro (28.7).

Once the climb is over, we continue by naturally turning onto the road that descends, leaving Monte Labbro behind. Now 3 kilometers of descent await us (we pass by the detour on the left for the Wildlife Park), until we reach a crossroads where we leave the dirt road to continue on asphalt along the Provincial Road 160, turning left toward Arcidosso. After 1.5 kilometers, exactly at the geothermal power plant visible on our right, we can fill up on water on the other side, slightly below street level, at the "Salacio" spring. We ride first downhill, then slightly uphill to the locality of Aiole (34.6), where we continue on an evident descent to Arcidosso (37.8).