The Corno al Bufalo ring route

DOWNLOAD THE PDF OF THE NATURE PATH

The route is part of the “7 Sentieri Natura delle Riserve Naturali” (7 Nature Trails of the Nature Reserves) and it also features a guidebook with marked and numbered waypoints along the way.

From the legendary Villa di Monterufoli, known as the “villa of the hundred rooms”, the route winds around the rugged and scenic ophiolite rocks of Corno al Bufalo, down to the upper reaches of the Trossa stream, cloaked in vegetation that surprises at every step. Leaving the artificial pine and holm-oak forests around the Villa, you can then plunge into the landscape of serpentine rocks, a fragment of oceanic crust from 180 million years ago. The Mediterranean scrub is broken up by garrigue, low and discontinuous vegetation with rock outcrops, an incredible balance between hostile soil and plants that have evolved and adapted here over millions of years, creating a floral mosaic of high significance at European level. We walk among bonsai plants of prickly juniper and phillyrea, creeping plants, cushion bushes such as Euphorbia spinosa, endemic flora of the serpentines such as Alyssum Bertolonii, rare plants and spring blooms that will take the mind back to the mountains. Going around the hillock on the northern slope, the vegetation gradually changes, giving way to holm oak woods and then to cool deciduous oaks with many sessile oak trees and other species that are unusual for these altitudes, such as mountain ash, but also yew and laurel near small wetlands.

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.