Golazze Aperte and the Rivivo Valley

Fully accessible route with little or no signs. The starting point is indicated at the entrance to the reserve and and can be reached by footpath (approx. 1.7 km) or dirt road (approx. 2.5 km) open to traffic only on certain weekends, and for a maximum of 20 cars. 

The route starts from the Caselli pond, a wetland vital for wildlife, through endless thickets and reaches some of the wildest places in the Reserve in the central part, with stunning views of the inland area and of the coast.

Leaving the dirt road near an old serpentine quarry, the path, mostly on rock and stone, climbs up to Poggio Donato, with its famous springtime garrigue blossoms, and then plunges halfway up the Rivivo valley on the steep slopes of Poggio alle Tegole and Poggio Casaloni, dominated by copses of prickly juniper clinging to the serpentine cliffs, with some monumental specimens and twisted forms shaped by the long hot season in this area; vegetation of high naturalistic value in an environment that is hostile even to plants. The panoramic section ends with the scrub closing in until it reaches the boundary stone known as “I Tre Confini” (The Three Boundaries), as it marks the border of three municipalities: Monteverdi Marittimo, Bibbona and Castagneto Carducci. The path climbs up the ridge shrouded in a beautiful mixed forest with patches of oak trees to an outcrop of serpentine rocks that offers one of the most spectacular views of the Nature Reserves of the Upper Val di Cecina and Tuscany: your gaze then descends from the endless woods of the Magona to Bolgheri, with its famous cypress avenue, meeting the peace of the splendour of the Tyrrhenian Sea, where you can see the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago, Elba, Capraia and Gorgona and, on clear days, the outline of Corsica.

Shortly after the overlook, the path rejoins the dirt road at the Magona boundary chain, which you can follow downhill on the way back to close the loop.

Hiking difficulty scale

T - Tourist

Itineraries on small roads, mule tracks or easy paths, with clearly evident routes that do not pose uncertainties or problems of orientation. They generally take place below 2000 m and usually constitute access to mountain pastures or refuges. They require some knowledge of the mountain environment and physical preparation for walking.

E - Hiking

Routes that almost always turn on paths, or on traces of passage in various terrain (pastures, debris, stony ground), usually with signs. They require a certain sense of orientation, as well as a certain experience and knowledge of the mountainous territory, walking training, as well as appropriate footwear and equipment. Normally the difference in altitude is between 500 and 1000m.

EE - Expert hikers

Routes not always marked and which require a good ability to move on various mountain terrains. They can be paths or even faint traces that wind over rough or steep terrain, with steep and slippery slopes, scree and short snowfields that can be overcome without the use of climbing equipment. They need a good mountain experience, firm footing and good physical preparation. It is also necessary to have adequate equipment and equipment, as well as a good sense of direction. Normally the difference in height is greater than 1000m.

EEA - Expert hikers with mountaineering equipment

Routes that require the use of via ferrata equipment (lanyards, harness, heat sink, helmet, etc.). They can be equipped paths or real via ferratas. It is necessary to know how to use the technical equipment safely and have a certain habit of exposure and mountaineering terrain.

MTB difficulty scale

TC - Tourist

Route on dirt roads with a compact and smooth surface, suitable for vehicles.

BC - For cyclists with good technical skills

Route on very bumpy dirt roads or on mule tracks and paths with a rather bumpy but fairly smooth surface or compact but irregular, with some natural obstacles (eg rock steps or roots).

OC - For cyclists with excellent technical skills

As above but on very bumpy and / or very irregular paths, with significant presence of obstacles.

EC - Maximum level for the cycle excursionist

Path on very irregular paths, characterized by steps and obstacles in continuous succession, which require trial-type techniques.