METALLIFERE HILLS

Departure from : San Vincenzo
Arriving to : San Vincenzo
Difficulty : difficult
Street : asphalt
Length :113 km
Drop :1380 m
Altimetry: min. 7 – max. 650
Location: Castagneto C., Donoratico, Marina di Castagneto, San Vincenzo, Sassetta, Venturina

DESCRIPTION

Departure is from San Vincenzo entering “Vecchia Aurelia” S.P. 39 southbound.

After 3 km turn left towards Campiglia Marittima crossing the overpass on the Aurelia S.S.1. Climb uphill towards Campiglia Marittima (10,5 km).

From Campiglia continue downhill for about 1 km until a fork where you turn left, still downhill among olive groves, arriving in Cafaggio (15 km).

Here turn left and, immediately turn right entering onto the “Campiglia Marittima – Riotorto” S.P. 21 pedaling for 1,7 km until the high voltage pylons: here turn left on the paved road that follows the electric cables; after about 500 m the road doglegs to the right passing under the cables.

Pedaling the level ground, crossing the Val di Cornia flood plain among the fields of crops and farms for 2,5 km until the intersection with S.P. 22 where you keep the left, arriving shortly in Casalappi (agritourism and castle).

After about 3 km you can glimpse the vineyards and the Cantina Petra, before passing through the San Lorenzo district (23,5 km) reaching, after other 2 km, a T-junction (25,5 km) where you turn right onto S.P. 19 in the direction of Montioni. After 6 km, in Montioni, there is a rest stop (café – restaurant).

Continue on S.P. 19 crossing over the border of the Livorno-Grosseto region (S.P. 19 becomes S.P. 33) and after 3,2 km turn left entering Marsiliana S.P. 143.

It’s one of the most beautiful roads to travel by bicycle with continuous rising and falling.

After 12 km, you arrive at a T-junction (47 km), turn left cycling for 1,8 km until another intersection where you turn right taking on a short but steep rise, that leads to an overpass that should not be crossed; go down on the left to the main road where you keep to the left in a steady uphill (49,1 km).

After 1,5 km there is a possible detour on the right for the centre of Massa Marittima.

Continue straight until Piano dei Mucini (52,5 km) where you turn left following the signs for Monterotondo – Larderello taking SR 439 that, shortly after , starts to climb decisively.

Pedal uphill and then downhill until Monterotondo (68,5 km).

At the intersection, in the centre of the village, continue downhill on the right in direction of Piombino – Venturina. The road quickly “falls” with large curves towards the bottom of the Val di Cornia.

Cross the plain near the small town of Frassine (80 km). At the 19,4 km on SR 398 you arrive at an intersection (85,1 km) where you turn right in the direction of Sassetta.

Cross the bridge on the Cornia river continuing towards Sassetta on the S.P. 18: the uphill (around 4 km) starts after the slight slope of the Pian delle Vigne.

At the end of the uphill (93,8 km), near the cemetery, turn right reaching S.P. 329 and continuing downhill until Castagneto Carducci (100 km) and, then, Donoratico (106 km).

At the T-junction turn left on “Vecchia Aurelia” S.P. 39 until San Vincenzo (113 km).

At the end of the descent , at the roundabout, go left and continue on to Cecina (45 km).
The downtown is easily reached by following the signs from the roundabout near the hospital.
Turn on Old Aurelia in a southern direction.
Pass “La California”, and at the roundabout (possible detour to Marina di Bibbona) go straight, crossing over the “Variante Aurelia” S.S 1 until you come back to the little church of San Guido (on the right; 56,5 km) and continue straight returning back to San Vincenzo.

The itinerary requires good physical condition and being accustomed to routes characterised by a lot of elevation changes. A short visit in the old town of Massa Marittima is recommended.

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