Grand Tour of Maremma

From Grosseto train station, we begin pedaling toward the sea of Grosseto's beaches, along a bicycle/pedestrian path that takes us near Marina di Grosseto. In the shadow of the Tombolo pine forest, we pedal along the frieze of SP 158 to Castiglione della Pescaia. Past the canal bridge, we follow the Grilli marker. We head inland, skirting the Diaccia Botrona Nature Reserve, which to this day represents what remains of the ancient Lake Prile. The walls of the Arce, which rise on the hill of Vetulonia, see us pass through on the provincial road of Strette below, before joining the former Aurelia state road (SP152) at Grilli. Markers for La Pesta lead us to the shores of Accesa Lake. We resume pedaling uphill following the Capanne trail marker, a former mining village that preserves the director's villa and the workers' dwellings. Placed on the fork at the entrance to the place, we find the Massa Marittima marker, the medieval gem of the Maremma. Near Piazza Garibaldi is BikeGarage&More, an area dedicated to refreshments and e-bike recharging.

From Massa Marittima take SP 162 in the direction of Siena. After passing Ghirlanda, the last stop of the old Follonica - Massa mining railroad, at Pian di Mucini we turn left and then follow the signs for Niccioleta. We pedal slightly uphill for about 6 km, finding SP 162 again near Prata. We now follow the GT sign "Tatti", which we will reach from SP 54 Cerro Balestro, a beautiful road that winds slightly uphill through cork and holm oak forests. From the ancient castle of Tatti, the track bends left (Roccatederighi marker). You pass through Sassofortino and pedal on SP 8 reaching Roccastrada. Continue downhill on SP 157 for about 5 km to an obvious right turn where you take SP 46 Tollero following the GT signs indicating Paganico. The current coplanar road to E78 accompanies us to the junction with SP 18 for the turn-off at Campagnatico, ancient castle of the Aldobrandeschi family of Sovana, mentioned by Dante in the 11th canto of Purgatory.

From the center of Campagnatico we return to SP 18 towards the Ombrone Valley, which we cross at Pianetti. At the next junction with SP 17 Voltina, we follow the GT "Granaione" marker. We continue for about 4 km on the flat, and then start pedaling uphill towards Cinigiano. The route towards Monte Amiata continues, pedaling steadily uphill towards Monticello Amiata and Arcidosso, one of the most evocative and characteristic villages of the Amiata due to the presence of the Aldobrandesca Fortress, which towers imposingly at the top of the village. We follow the signs to Santa Fiora, where we will also find the possibility of recharging our e-bikes, thanks to a public station near the Infopoint in Piazza Garibaldi. Of definite interest is a visit to the Monte Amiata Mercury Mines Museum. Not to be missed and a walk through the alleys of the historic center to the beautiful Peschiera Park.

From the historic center of Santa Fiora, we follow the "Selva" marker, taking the SP Pitigliano - Santa Fiora. Fast hairpin bends accompany us on the sloping ground stretch adjacent to the Fiora River, and then we face the climb that leads to the hamlet of Selva and the Convent of the Holy Trinity, a pleasant place rich in history and legends. Next, we reach Selvena and the remains of the Silvana Fortress from the Aldobrandesque period. Evident traces of the mining activity that marked this area, which began in ancient times and lasted until the 1970s. The "Elmo" marker, near the Selvena cemetery, heralds our entry into an area where geology, history and landscape seem to compete to offer us new and exciting experiences. We have reached the gates of the City of Tuff, which sees in the villages of Sorano and Pitigliano the highest architectural expression of this extensive geographical area on the border between Tuscany and Lazio. Near San Quirico di Sorano is the rock town of Vitozza. Enter Pitigliano, at Madonna delle Grazie, with a spectacular view of the tuff spur on which the town stands.

Pitigliano and Manciano, two villages separated by the deep valley carved by the waters of the Fiora River that splits the tuff plateau in two, where ancient peoples have left signs of their passage. Tuff remains, again, the defining element of the area, and in some places the asphalt ribbon of SR 74 Maremmana enters the trench, opening a gap in the tuff formation. The bridge over the Fiora River marks the point of change of gradient for us; from now on we climb in a series of meandering curves that accompany us to the Aldobrandesca Fortress of Manciano. Known as "the spy of the Maremma" because of its geographical location, the fortress dominates the Maremma plains and coastline between Tuscany and Lazio. We pedal at ease, on the fast curves drawn on the hills by SP 159 (marker Scansano) that descend to Montemerano. Past the small farming village of Pomonte, we leave SP 159 for SP 146 Aquilaia (marker Magliano in Toscana near the junction) to reach Magliano from the Colle di Lupo consortium road. Scenic effect guaranteed for the long avenues lined with cypress trees that we find near the farm of the same name.

We leave Magliano by climbing the hills in the direction of Scansano. Let's be surprised by the medieval tower that soars 29 m from the top of the ancient village of Pereta; it is the only and the highest one left intact of the many watchtowers that existed in Maremma. In Scansano, a walk through the "inside", the old part of the village, is not to be missed. Continue uphill on SP 159, which crosses the village, (marker "Montiano" in front of the municipal building) climbs near the sports field and continues in the direction of Grosseto until the intersection with SP 9 "Aione" (marker Montiano). Wide views of the islands of the Tuscan archipelago open up before us on this long descent that takes us from the hills to the Grosseto plain. Near Montiano, a visit to the village strongly recommended, the itinerary continues toward Grosseto on the SP 16. Just before the junction of the provincial road with the SS1 Aurelia, we take the Grancia municipal road, following the "Grosseto" sign. After crossing the bridge over the Ombrone River on SP 154, we enter the city, aiming for the train station, the end point of the itinerary.