Trekking

The route begins near Pozzo Alfredo, the main extraction shaft of the copper mine, whose tower rises above the mining area and offers one of the most striking views in the entire Val di Cecina. From there, the trail winds through vegetation and scenic overlooks facing the sea and the valley, making it accessible in any season of the year.

The history that runs through this territory is layered and fascinating. The Etruscans were the first to recognize the value of the area’s natural resources, paving the way for centuries of mining activity. The copper mine of Montecatini Val di Cecina left a mark far beyond local borders: it gave its name to Montecatini S.p.A., one of the major industrial companies of the 20th century, later incorporated into Montedison.

The mining complex tells this story through its spaces, architecture, and the testimonies of those who worked there. The mining village, partly still inhabited and carefully restored, adds further depth to the experience, which becomes almost evocative during night openings.

The walk also leads to the Muraglione dam, a structure built in 1856 to serve the mine but never put into operation. Today, as part of a national project to enhance Italy’s historic dams, it stands out as one of the most visually and historically interesting elements of the route.

A short but rich itinerary, ideally enjoyed together with a visit to the 19th-century mine and the medieval village.

Discover all the details of the route on: Valdicecina Outdoor

The route starts in the medieval heart of Montecatini Val di Cecina, crossing the road that runs alongside the Museum of the Mines, and heads toward the Oratory of Santa Barbara, a historic place of devotion for mine workers, dedicated to her as their protector. From there, the trail gradually climbs to the summit of Poggio alla Croce, where a wrought-iron cross stands, forged with the same techniques and materials used in mining work: a sign left by the miners themselves, still clearly visible in the landscape today.

The highest point offers one of the widest and most striking views in the entire area: the gaze stretches from the sea to the Volterra region, and reaches into the Upper Val di Cecina, where the imposing silhouette of Rocca Sillana rises in the distance.

The descent back toward Montecatini completes the experience with a series of overlooks onto the village and lush vegetation accompanying the trail along the rocky slope, making the return as enjoyable as the ascent.

A short and accessible excursion, capable of offering an authentic and complete view of the territory in a short time.

Discover all the details of the route on: Valdicecina Outdoor

A circular itinerary that embraces the slopes of the medieval village of Montecatini Val di Cecina, following ancient traces that tell the deep connection between landscape, history, and everyday life. The route starts from the town square and winds along the old Via delle Moie, once leading to the Salt Pans of Volterra, immediately opening wide and striking views of the Etruscan city, the Upper Val di Cecina, and a territory shaped over the centuries.

Along the way, you encounter woods, outcropping rocks, terraced fields, and dry-stone walls built with selagite, a stone typical of this area and already used in Etruscan-Roman times. This material, widespread along the trail and central to several quarry fronts, gives the route an authentic and strongly local identity.

On the return stretch, the landscape changes again: the remains of ancient chestnut groves appear, as well as the Fonte della Madonna, a large historic structure restored over time, with a stone dated 1681. The way back to the village follows the old medieval paved road that once led to Volterra, perhaps already in use in Roman times, until returning to the castle of Montecatini, which still preserves its charm intact.

Discover all the details of the route on: Valdicecina Outdoor

A short yet evocative itinerary leads into the woods above La Sassa, where nature and memory meet in a quiet, fascinating landscape. The trail runs entirely through the trees and brings visitors to the Botro della Canonica, in the area of La Chiesa, a place tied to an ancient tradition that still shapes the story of the territory.

Here the legend of the encounter between Saint Peter and Christ the Redeemer intertwines, set in the early centuries of Christianity among the woods of Montalpruno. According to tradition, Peter found shelter here from Roman persecution and, after meeting the Lord, left these places carrying with him the memory of a sign impressed on the stone. It is a simple yet atmospheric walk, inviting visitors to move slowly and read the landscape through its oldest stories.

Discover all the details of the route on: Valdicecina Outdoor

The route begins in the medieval village of La Sassa, one of the most striking and best-preserved places in the Val di Cecina, dominated by its tower and opening onto a view that accompanies the walk from the very start. From here, the trail follows the ancient Via di Castagnolo, a path that still preserves the memory of its former role as a link between the inland area and the Castagneto Carducci zone, until it reaches the ridge between Poggio al Pruno and Poggio Aia Assenzio.

The trail crosses part of the Macchia della Magona and then descends into the Monterufoli-Caselli Reserve, entering an increasingly wild and silent environment. Before heading downhill, it is worth taking a short detour to Golazze Aperte, one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the area, with a wide panorama over the coast and the Tuscan Archipelago. On the way back, the landscape changes once again: woodland gives way to clearings, farmsteads, fields and pastures, revealing the full variety of this route between nature, history and rural scenery.

Discover all the details of the route on: Valdicecina Outdoor