Between the sea and the Tuscan inland
The reserve allows us to admire nature’s colors in every season, with its waters, waterfalls and forests
Big forests and thick evergreen vegetation with the characteristic rocky outcrops make up the main feature of this hilly area inhabited by the typical animals of the Mediterranean forest.
A type of horse called “Cavallino di Monterufoli” is the beloved mascot of the area. It’s a dark bay, small and very strong, still living in the wild in this pristine corner of Tuscany.
Located in the middle of the Metalliferous Hills and extending across 4828 hectares of land, the reserve was opened in 1997. It stretches into the municipalities of Pomarance, Monteverdi Marittimo and Montecatini Val di Cecina.
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The complex geological history of the area has given it its mining and mineral variety: from hydrothermal events to surface and underground mining activities linked to the search for and use of copper, chalcedony, magnesite and lignite. The remains of the mining activities and the mining railway tracks like the ones over the Ritasso stream are today important examples of industrial archeology.
The historically and artistically relevant Monterufoli Villa rising in the center of the reserve, with its future function as an environmental education center, perfectly represents the good combination of natural, historical and cultural resources of the area.
DOWNLOAD FOREST INFORMATION
The Monterufoli-Caselli Nature Reserve
Nature Trails – The Ophiolites of Poggio Donato
Nature Trails – The Villa of Monterufoli and the Linari Valley
Nature Trails – The Poggio Castiglione Ring
Nature Trails – The Corno al Bufalo ring
The Natural Reserves of Valdicecina
Guide to the Regulations of Nature Reserves in Alta Valdicecina
The nature reserves 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 routes
Ideas for your walks and hikes
The Botticella Mines and the Trossa stream
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Type of route: cycling
Lenght: 7,989 Km
Level: expert
Golazze open and the Rivivo Valley
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Type of route: walking trail
Lenght: 11,387 Km
Level: advanced
The Campo ai Meli
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Type of route: walking trail, horseback riding
Lenght: 0,815 Km
Level: easy
Great tour of geothermal energy and the parks
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Type of route: cycling
Lenght: 48,824 Km
Difficulty: medium
The "borghi" of Micciano and Libbiano and the Monterufoli forest
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Type of route: cycling
Lenght: 29,383 Km
Level: N.A.
The Querceto Castle and the Monterufoli forest
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Type of route: cycling
Lenght: 20,122 Km
Level: medium
The Trossa stream and the "Puntone di Farneta"
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Type of route: walking trail
Lenght: 6,577 Km
Level: advanced
The Corno al Bufalo ring route
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Type of route: walking trail
Lenght: 7,131 Km
Level: advanced
The Poggio Vecchio loop
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Type of route: walking trail, horeseback riding
Lenght: N.A.
Level: N.A.
La Sassa, the Caselli forest and the Magona woods
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Type of route: walking trail
Lenght: n.d.
Level: advanced
The Caselli waterfall and the Renzano forest
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Type of route: walking trail
Lenght: 8,141 Km
Level: advanced
The Poggio Castiglione loop: an ancient mining railway in the gorge of the Ritasso stream
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Type of route: walking trail
Lenght: 8,824 Km
Level: advanced
The Val di Sterza and the Caselli Forest
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Type of route: cycling
Lenght: N.A.
Level: N.A.
The Trossa valley and the Frontosini cliffs
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Type of route: walking trail
Lenght: 8,520 Km
Level: expert
The Monterufoli Villa and the Linari Valley
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Type of route: walking trail
Lenght: 5,224 Km
Level: expert
The ophiolites of Poggio Donato
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Type of route: walking trail
Lenght: 5,464 Km
Level: advanced
Piazza dei Priori 19/20 - 56048 Volterra (PI) - PIVA 01308340502
