The Montenero Nature Reserve Ring Route

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The starting point of the route can be reached from Prato d’Era, near Volterra, along the dirt road that leads to the Monte Nero Reserve.

This 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, and it is dedicated to the discovery of the rugged Monte Nero relief and the small, narrow valley of the Strolla stream, now a Regional Nature Reserve.

This is a true “island” of woods and rocky outcrops, rugged and wild, immersed in the gentle agricultural landscape of the Alta Val d’Era. Visitors will find themselves welcomed into a veritable treasure trove of biodiversity, with cool broadleaf woods, shady holm oak woods, dense and intricate thickets, rocky scrubland and dry meadows chasing after one another along the route.

Some extraordinary viewpoints will allow you to observe the entire valley and, with a little luck, the flight of birds of prey such as the Short-toed Eagle. Halfway along the route you will reach the crossing of the Strolla stream, at a particularly beautiful point, with a waterfall of over 30 metres.

Further upstream, numerous “Cascatelle” (small waterfalls) and vast pools of water alternate in a narrow gorge carved out by the torrent. The second half of the path will take you on the traces of some ancient tracks connected to the salt roads and will lead you to discover important historical testimonies, such as the legendary Fonte del Latte (Milk Spring), but above all the characteristic Pieve della Nera, built around 1000 A.D.

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.