Discovering the colors of the Val di Cornia

This route will take you to the heart of the Colline Metallifere (Metalliferous Hills) via Monterotondo, where geothermal energy is produced. 

From Massa Marittima take Provincial Road 162 in the direction of Siena. After passing by the hamlet of Ghirlanda, continue straight on the hilly but mostly uphill road to Pian dei Mucini (4). After 700 meters, in front of a tavern, turn left following the signs for Monterotondo and Larderello taking Regional Road 439 that, after crossing Pian dei Mucini (3 kilometers of flat land), begins to climb sharply, always following the signs for Larderello. After about 4,5 kilometers, it comes to the top of the hill, descends for 1,5 kilometer, and then starts climbing again for another 3 kilometers as far as a juntion, where you turn left for Monterotondo onto Regional Road 398 "Val di Cornia." The climb ends here, and shortly afterwards the descent to the town of Monterotondo begins.

At the crossroads in the center of the village, continue downhill on the right in the direction of Piombino and Venturina. The road "plummets" quickly with wide curves toward the bottom of the Val di Cornia. It crosses the plain near Frassine (37.5) continuing on a prevalent and slight descent for about 9 kilometers until a visible bend to the right (46.7): here it leaves Provincial Road 398, which continues towards Suvereto to turn left in the direction of Follonica and Massa Marittima on Provincial Road 19, arriving in Montioni (54.7) after 8 kilometers, where you’ll find a refreshment bar. You move forward along Provincial Road 33 and after 3,2 kilometers you turn left onto Provincial Road 143 "Marsiliana" (57.9). This is one of the most beautiful roads for a bike ride winding through the hills of great landscape value.

For 8 kilometers the road has a very varied up and downhill course, then it keeps uphill for 4 kilometers arriving within sight of Massa Marittima. Once you arrive at a T-shaped junction (70.1), make a right-hand turn riding for 1,1 kilometer along a beautiful cypress-lined avenue to another junction where you cross Regional Road 439 to take Provincial Road 151, which uphill reaches the historic town center of Massa Marittima (73.3).