Discovering the wetlands of the coast, between Livorno and Orbetello
The wetlands along the Tuscan coast are the last traces of a long-standing system of freshwater and brackish water marshes. These ecosystems contribute not only to the protection of biodiversity but also provide essential services such as water purification and climate change mitigation through the absorption of CO2 from the atmosphere.
This Tuscan Nature Itinerary proposes a route between Livorno and Orbetello to discover the coastal wetlands. We’ll drive along the coast and then explore the individual reserves on foot. With binoculars in hand, we’ll be able to observe a great variety of migratory birds that nest here or stop to recharge their batteries, including some that only stop for short periods such as the magnificent Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) and the rare Hermit Ibis (Geronticus eremita).
As well as birds, the regional nature reserves are home to threatened amphibian species such as the Italian crested newt (Triturus carnifex), the green toad (Bufotes balearicus) and the Italian tree frog (Hyla intermedia). The high conservation value of these areas is attested by their presence within the Natura 2000 European Ecological Network as Sites of Community Importance (SCI) and Special Protection Areas (SPA).
It's an itinerary to be discovered by bike, following the specific MTB route available on the Regione Toscana website.
Walk path inside the the Contessa Regional Nature Reserve (Municipality of Collesalvetti):
Journey length: around 1 hour
Leg length: around 2km)
Difference in height: not measured
Difficulty: T
From Livorno, drive north-east and you will reach the Oasi della Contessa, a fixed stop for many migratory species and more. The reserve has also been included in the larger Biosphere Reserve “Selve Costiere di Toscana”, recognised by UNESCO. Along the ring route within the protected area, there are many species of birds that can be observed, including the water rail (Rallus aquaticus), the little crake (Porzana parva) and the little grebe (Porzana porzana).
After the visit, we climb into the car and follow the coast road until it joins the SS1 Aurelia, which takes us to Castiglioncello where we can turn off towards the Santa Luce Regional Nature Reserve.
Connections (by car):
Starting point: Oasi della Contessa Regional Nature Reserve
Arrival: Lake of Santa Luce Regional Nature Reserve
Journey length: around 1 hour
Leg length: around 50km
Walk path inside the the Contessa Regional Nature Reserve (Municipality of Collesalvetti):
Journey length: around 1 hour
Leg length: around 2km)
Difference in height: not measured
Difficulty: T
From Livorno, drive north-east and you will reach the Oasi della Contessa, a fixed stop for many migratory species and more. The reserve has also been included in the larger Biosphere Reserve “Selve Costiere di Toscana”, recognised by UNESCO. Along the ring route within the protected area, there are many species of birds that can be observed, including the water rail (Rallus aquaticus), the little crake (Porzana parva) and the little grebe (Porzana porzana).
After the visit, we climb into the car and follow the coast road until it joins the SS1 Aurelia, which takes us to Castiglioncello where we can turn off towards the Santa Luce Regional Nature Reserve.
Connections (by car):
Starting point: Oasi della Contessa Regional Nature Reserve
Arrival: Lake of Santa Luce Regional Nature Reserve
Journey length: around 1 hour
Leg length: around 50km
Walk path inside the Lago di Santa Luce Regional Nature Reserve (Municipality of Santa Luce):
Walking time: around 3 hours
Leg length: around 2.5km (5km round trip)
Difference in height: not signified
Difficulty: T
The reservoir of the Santa Luce Regional Nature Reserve was established in the late 1950s and became a LIPU Oasis in 1992. Among the many species of birds that can be observed along the visiting route, we’d like to point out the penduline tit (Remiz pendulinus), which builds its peculiar flask-shaped nests here.
From Santa Luce we take the SS1 Aurelia and continue to the Orti - Bottagone Regional Nature Reserve.
Connections (by car):
Starting point: Lago di Santa Luce Regional Nature Reserve
Arrival: Orti-Bottagone Regional Nature Reserve
Journey length: around 1 hour and 10 minutes
Leg length: around 70km
Walk path inside the Lago di Santa Luce Regional Nature Reserve (Municipality of Santa Luce):
Walking time: around 3 hours
Leg length: around 2.5km (5km round trip)
Difference in height: not signified
Difficulty: T
The reservoir of the Santa Luce Regional Nature Reserve was established in the late 1950s and became a LIPU Oasis in 1992. Among the many species of birds that can be observed along the visiting route, we’d like to point out the penduline tit (Remiz pendulinus), which builds its peculiar flask-shaped nests here.
From Santa Luce we take the SS1 Aurelia and continue to the Orti - Bottagone Regional Nature Reserve.
Connections (by car):
Starting point: Lago di Santa Luce Regional Nature Reserve
Arrival: Orti-Bottagone Regional Nature Reserve
Journey length: around 1 hour and 10 minutes
Leg length: around 70km
Walk path inside the Orti-Bottagone Regional Nature Reserve (Piombino):
Journey length: around 1 hour
Leg length: around 1km
Difficulty: T
The Orti-Bottagone Regional Nature Reserve is a protected wetland characterised by a brackish and a freshwater marsh. Among the nesting species is the shelduck (Tadorna tadorna), a large duck typical of coastal areas, whose name derives from its habit of breeding in the burrows dug by foxes.
After visiting the reserve we leave by car in the direction of Castiglione della Pescaia to the Diaccia Botrona Regional Nature Reserve.
Connections (by car):
Starting point: Orti-Bottagone Regional Nature Reserve
Arrival: Diaccia Botrona Regional Nature Reserve
Journey length: around 40 minutes
Stage length: around 40km
Walk path inside the Orti-Bottagone Regional Nature Reserve (Piombino):
Journey length: around 1 hour
Leg length: around 1km
Difficulty: T
The Orti-Bottagone Regional Nature Reserve is a protected wetland characterised by a brackish and a freshwater marsh. Among the nesting species is the shelduck (Tadorna tadorna), a large duck typical of coastal areas, whose name derives from its habit of breeding in the burrows dug by foxes.
After visiting the reserve we leave by car in the direction of Castiglione della Pescaia to the Diaccia Botrona Regional Nature Reserve.
Connections (by car):
Starting point: Orti-Bottagone Regional Nature Reserve
Arrival: Diaccia Botrona Regional Nature Reserve
Journey length: around 40 minutes
Stage length: around 40km
Walk path in the Diaccia Botrona Regional Nature Reserve (Castiglione della Pescaia):
Journey length: around 4 hours
Leg length: around 14km
Difficulty: E
The Diaccia Botrona Regional Nature Reserve is considered the most notable areas in Tuscany for the nesting of migratory species such as herons. The ecosystem has changed in recent times due to an increase in the salinity of the water, so the area is now largely a salt marsh. The coastal pine forests are of considerable importance to two uncommon bird species: the colourful sea jay (Coracias garrulus) and the elusive tufted cuckoo (Clamator glandarius), which is known for laying its eggs in magpie nests.
From here, we follow the coast road towards Orbetello. We then arrive in Albinia near the Laguna di Orbetello Regional Nature Reserve.
Connections (by car):
Starting point: Diaccia Botrona Regional Nature Reserve
Arrival: Albinia, Orbetello Lagoon Regional Nature Reserve
Journey length: around 1 hour
Leg length: around 60km
Walk path in the Diaccia Botrona Regional Nature Reserve (Castiglione della Pescaia):
Journey length: around 4 hours
Leg length: around 14km
Difficulty: E
The Diaccia Botrona Regional Nature Reserve is considered the most notable areas in Tuscany for the nesting of migratory species such as herons. The ecosystem has changed in recent times due to an increase in the salinity of the water, so the area is now largely a salt marsh. The coastal pine forests are of considerable importance to two uncommon bird species: the colourful sea jay (Coracias garrulus) and the elusive tufted cuckoo (Clamator glandarius), which is known for laying its eggs in magpie nests.
From here, we follow the coast road towards Orbetello. We then arrive in Albinia near the Laguna di Orbetello Regional Nature Reserve.
Connections (by car):
Starting point: Diaccia Botrona Regional Nature Reserve
Arrival: Albinia, Orbetello Lagoon Regional Nature Reserve
Journey length: around 1 hour
Leg length: around 60km
Walk path inside the Orbetello Lagoon Regional Nature Reserve (Patanella Wood botanical trail)
Journey length: around 1 hour
Leg length: 2km round trip
Separated from the sea by two strips of land about 6km long, the Orbetello Lagoon Regional Nature Reserve is a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
Flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) abound in the protected area, as do rare species such as the sea eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) and the lesser spotted eagle (Clanga pomarina). Also wintering in the area are hermit ibises (Geronticus eremita), reintroduced to Europe thanks to an important conservation project.
Walk path inside the Orbetello Lagoon Regional Nature Reserve (Patanella Wood botanical trail)
Journey length: around 1 hour
Leg length: 2km round trip
Separated from the sea by two strips of land about 6km long, the Orbetello Lagoon Regional Nature Reserve is a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
Flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) abound in the protected area, as do rare species such as the sea eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) and the lesser spotted eagle (Clanga pomarina). Also wintering in the area are hermit ibises (Geronticus eremita), reintroduced to Europe thanks to an important conservation project.
For more information on the "Tuscan Nature Itinerary", please refer to the page of the Regione Toscana (Tuscan Regional Council) where it's possible to find further information on the whole network of thematic itineraries that connect the regional nature reserves, as well as download information on the stages and trails of the itineraries that can also be travelled by MTB.