NATURE
The most important nature park of Mount Amiata, the FAUNA NATURE PARK, is here, in Arcidosso.
This park takes its inspiration from the German Wild Parks. It is situated in a pleasant landscape and it offers a lot of big fanual areas. In this park there are numerous paths that nobody must leave and special structures which permit to be sighted. There are no barriers between visitors and animals.
The nature path, harder than the other ones, is situated in a beautiful gorge, rich in water; covering this path it is possible to watch and classify numerous vegetable species, often rare. That area is characterized by broad-leaves: Carpinus betulus, Maple, Hazel, Beech, Chestnut, etc; conifers: black Pine, Larch, Citron tree, etc. You can also find original flowers like Myosotis decumbens Host, Geranium nodosum L., Phyteuma scorzonerifolium Vill., Ranunculus garganicus Ten., etc.
(photo by itinerari.toscana.to)
By going trekking on paths, it is easy to meet: the Fallow deer, the Stag, the Mouflon, the Roe buck, the Camois, the Porcupine, the Fox, the Weasel, the Polecat, the Jack hare, the Squirrel, the Wild boar, and many other animals.
There are also many rare birds species in this area like hawks, woodpeckers, blackbirds, owlets, barn owls, buzzards, hoopoes, etc.
(photos by agriturismo-toscana-maremma.com e amiataturismo.it)
In our park there is a Bar/Restaurant managed by a local cooperatives that also guarantee assistence services and tour guides. For more information call +39 0564 977778 – 0564 968010 – 0564 966867 or visit our website www.parcofaunistico.it
The Fauna Park is opened every day, except on Monday, from the dawn to dusk.
The visits are by foot leaving cars, coaches, camper or caravans in equipped parking areas with water, toilets and electric light.
Another nature reserve that you can visit near Arcidosso for a botanical tour is MOUNT LABRO.
Mount Labro, a 6.200 hectares area, includes important habitats for fauna and flora, and, therefore, requires targeted management actions and immediate protection initiatives aimed at the conservation of priority habitats (Sub-Atlantic very dry calcareous grasslands, narrow valleys forests of Tilio-Acerion) and priority species (Canis lupus, *Falco Biarmicus and Euplagia quadripunctaria) as well as of natural and seminatural habitats of Community interest. (photo by Anna Cenerini)
At the summit (1193 metres above sea level), there is a building that resembles a Mesopotamian construction. Ruins of low buildings are situated around the bleak landscape, buildings that should have been the realization of a dream, the buildings of a renewed world. Seemingly the folly of a single man, the project was actively and enthusiastically supported by the local population who were drawn by the charismatic David Lazzaretti, a man who behaved like a prophet with a divine purpose. (photo by tuscanjourney.org)
Mount Labro, which can only be reached by a difficult walk, jealously keeps its secrets and maintains its magical fascination and it’s not by chance that Lazzaretti chose it as a site for the city of his visions. But even before him others had the same idea and under the enigmatic tower there is a huge cave that was used as a refuge for hermits or maybe for pagan rituals. Locals say that these slopes have a particolar energy. Whether you believe it or not, it is indisputable that this place invites meditation and contemplation of all things sacred.
At the moment the figure of David Lazzaretti is also under historical re-evaluation. In Arcidosso, there is a Research Centre called Centro di Studi di Lazzaretti with a large archive and remarkable collection of relics of the man and his movement. If you are in the area, it’s well worth a visit for the rich information and the charm of the territory of Mount Amiata.
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SPORT
Arcidosso offers ample spaces for sportive people, like, for example, the Fauna Nature Park, the beautiful Amiata forest and the pastures of Mount Labro. In all these spaces there are a lot of trekking paths for adventurous people that can also be covered on horseback, if guided by experts.
Many paths can be run also by mountain-bikers, but it’s better to use a bike all-ground, apt to asphalted roads as well as the country ones. Classic biking, only on asphalted roads, is largely suggested on the paths of Amiata; the other tracks are on the slope of the mountain: you have to be trained before you can bike on them.
The lovers of ski will find 15 climbing facilities on the Amiata, able to take them from four different points to the peak so that they can enjoy the 25 km of downhill runs and 12 of cross-country runs. Teachers of ski sports and training schools for children and beginners are available on the mountain. After a very good snowfall, it’s wonderful to walk in the beech woods with cross-country skis or with snowshoes, to contemplate a breathless white landscape.
The wonderful Amiata woods of beeches, firs and chestnut trees are ideal for lovers of long walks. It’s possible to walk for 28 km all around the mountain (along the so called Ring of the Mountain): the path requires 12 hours of walk and allows walkers to leave the woods and visit the towns: Abbadia San Salvatore, Vivo d’Orcia, Arcidosso, Piancastagnaio, Santa Fiora.
Finally, the chestnut itineraries (12 paths in the chestnut trees woods) lead the visitor to the heart of the territory, showing him the traditions linked to the chestnut culture, the places where they were picked up, treated, eaten.
For the lovers of other sports, Arcidosso offers a well equipped sport hall (basket, tennis courts, etc).
(photos by terreditoscana.net)
Sara Kismet Del Bubba
