The best way to reach Monte Amiata is by car. It is not far from international airports such as Rome, Florence or Pisa, taking about 2½ hours. As you certainly know, renting a car is very easy inside the airport.
Starting from Rome and Pisa, you have to pass by Grosseto. Instead if you come from Florence you have to get to Siena.
image taken from http://www.amiatacase.it/arrivare_monteamiata.asp
From Rome (210 Km): autostrada (motorway/superhighway) A1 (towards Florence) – Orvieto exit, go on until Acquapendente – (State-Street) S.S. 2 Cassia (towards Siena) – Abbadia San Salvatore exit, then follow the istructions Monte Amiata.
Another possibility from Rome: Aurelia highway towards Grosseto. Then follow the istructions for Siena. Paganico, Monte Amiata exit.
The third option from Rome: autostrada A1 (motorway/superhighway) towards Florence, Chianciano exit. Follow Monte Amiata istructions.
From Florence (120 Km): superstrada (highway) Florence-Siena (towards Siena) – Exit for (State-Street) S.S 223 Siena-Grosseto - Go on with S.S 223 Siena-Grosseto (towards Grosseto) - Paganico exit, then follow the istructions Monte Amiata.
From Pisa (210 Km): autostrada (motorway/superhighway) towards Rome – superstrada (highway) until Grosseto – (State-Street) S.S 223 Grosseto-Siena (towards Siena) – Paganico exit, then follow the istructions Monte Amiata.
If you prefer the train you should take it in Rome, Florence or Pisa.
Starting from Rome or Pisa railway station: get off in Grosseto, then take the bus.
Starting from Florence railway station: get off in Chiusi, then take the bus.
This route could be longer and less comfortable, but it is cheaper and you do not have to drive!
There are many different kinds of accommodation, such as hotels, farm holidays, B&Bs, apartments or campsites. Intresting and amazing are:
Da Carlo B&B, località Poggio Sorbi, Roccalbegna (Grosseto province)
Fantone Farm Holiday, frazione Murci, località Fantone, Scansano (Grosseto province)
Camping Residence Amiata, via Roma, 15 – Casteldelpiano (Grosseto province)
For further information check the other sections of this website: you will find accommodation diveded according to their location in Monte Amiata’s towns: Abbadia San Salvatore, Arcidosso, Castel del Piano, Castiglione d’Orcia, Piancastagnaio, Santa Fiora, Seggiano.
Very fascinating the ancient steam train, called Treno Natura (Nature Train). It slowly goes trough Siena’s countryside to the slopes of Monte Amiata. The train has specially-restored old cars and runs trough particularly beautiful landscapes.
photograph by Andrea Bini taken from www.lospicchio.com
This charming old railway was destined to death in 1994. Luckily a new management took over and took care of it in order to transform it into a turist attraction. The Treno Natura runs along the Siena – Asciano – Monte Antico railway line. There are 2 different kinds of trains that you can choose: steam train or Old Style-furnished railcars. From the window you can see abbeys, wineyards, valleys, villas, hills, rivers and small villages. It is a green paradise where the work of man shows up and persists over the centuries. This is the case of breathtaking Roman bridges and of the Abbey of Sant’Antimo. These are only two examples: Italy is rich in art and that is true especially here. The landscape is amazing, hills changing colour during the day according to the weather.
From March until the 31st of December you can enjoy the train ride and the spectacular countryside of Tuscany. The rides are generally on Sunday and on the major holidays. The train runs on the occasion of ”special events”, such as those dedicated to truffle, wine, oil, museums, porcino mushrooms or other town festivals. A very nice thing to do is to go on the New Year’s Day train ride!
There are 3 more opportunities for trekking lovers, bike riders and museum fonds: you can book a 3-day train specific tour. You can get off the train and enjoy doing what you prefer. The package includes 2-night accommodation and breakfast, train ticket and 1 book “Viaggio sul Trenonatura” (for train & museum museum tickets are obviously all included).
Rendez-vous:
- March 2nd “Marzaiolo truffle and the lost railways festival” in S. Giovanni d’Asso, steam train from Siena
- April 25th “Pecorino cheese and artichoke festival” in Chiusure, steam train from Siena
- May 1st “May song festival” in S. Angelo Scalo, steam train from Siena
- May 11th “Scialenga regional market” in Asciano, steam train from Siena
- June 22nd “Maremma Nature Park train“, Old-Style railcars from Siena and Chiusi
- October 5th “Steam, grape harvest and pork festival“, steam train from Siena
- October 26th “Chestnut festival” in Casteldelpiano, steam train from Siena
- November 1st “Miner’s train“, Old-Style diesel engine railcars from Siena
- November 9th “White truffle of Siena show-market” in S. Giovanni d’Asso, steam train from Siena
- November 16th “White truffle of Siena show-market” in S. Giovanni d’Asso, steam train from Grosseto
- December 8th “Olive oil festival” in S. Quirico d’Orcia, diesel engine and steam train from Florence
- December 31st “New Year’s Day train“, diesel engine train from Siena to Monte Amiata
These proposals are also the base for specific tours of more days. Group tour: for groups (at least 40 people) there is the possibility to book tours with a tourist guide in the following periods: on Sundays from May 11th to June 8th and from September 7th to October 26th for 1-day trip; on weekends from May 10th to June 8th and from September 6th to October 26th for 2-day trip.
