On the hills of the Upper Valdera
The Montenero nature reserve stretches between Volterra and San Gimignano, at a height of 508 meters on the Northern side of Mount Nero
Walking through the evergreen forests and along the clear waters of the Strolla stream, one can admire the breathtaking gorges or the storms of birds trying to find a place to nest. The reserve is a small puzzle of different environments, surrounded by important historical and architectural features and embedded in the characteristic Tuscan countryside setting.
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The area comes with a very evocative atmosphere, with the Strolla stream having eroded the basaltic rocks into new shapes. It’s located around the upper basin of the Era river, and it forms a sort of green island immersed in the big farming areas on the hills dating back to the Pliocene epoch.
An old church called Pieve della Nera overlooks the valley of the Strolla stream. Not far away from the church, one can admire the remains of the medieval Della Nera castle, located on a small plateau where the outcrops of limestone used to work as a natural defense system for the castle.
Outside the reserve, right before the Pieve, is where the Fonte del Latte is, a spring that, according to the legend, provides young mothers with a magic water which gives them milk.
The nature reserve in the Valdicecina
Discover the flora, fauna and geology features of the reserve
Main points of interest
in the nature trails of the Reserve
Photo Credits: Davide Bettini, Massimo Gentili, Mauro Barsacchi
Our tours
Ideas for your walks and hikes
The loop in the Montenero nature reserve
DISCOVER THE ROUTE
Type of route: walking trail
Lenght: 6,916 Km
Level: advanced
Piazza dei Priori 19/20 - 56048 Volterra (PI) - PIVA 01308340502