Nature Reserve Guide
Riserva Naturale Monte Penna is a nature reserve situated on the southeastern slopes of Monte Amiata in Tuscany, Italy. This protected area, spanning over 1,050 hectares, is characterized by a mountainous massif of predominantly calcareous nature, featuring prominent peaks and significant karstic phenomena. Lush forests of ash, beech, and Turkey oak cover much of the reserve, creating diverse landscapes suitable for several sports like hiking, road cycling, touring cycling, mountain biking, and more.
99
Routes
4.5
(257)
Average rating
2013
People visited

1
hikers
26.7km
08:11
900m
900m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.7
(66)
193
hikers
6.09km
01:54
230m
230m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(25)
96
hikers
3.31km
01:02
130m
130m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.4
(15)
40
hikers
5.90km
01:45
190m
180m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

4.9
(9)
96
riders
57.1km
03:30
1,550m
1,550m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(2)
55
riders
81.7km
04:23
1,600m
1,600m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.0
(3)
50
riders
31.5km
01:55
780m
780m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

5.0
(2)
62
riders
72.6km
03:45
1,280m
1,280m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

5.0
(1)
80
riders
143km
10:49
2,370m
2,370m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

5.0
(4)
60
riders
38.9km
02:57
950m
950m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.4
(5)
49
riders
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

21
riders
76.8km
05:13
1,100m
1,100m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

5.0
(2)
25
riders
46.1km
04:29
1,260m
1,260m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

17
riders
89.9km
08:05
2,190m
2,190m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
12
riders
28.3km
02:49
680m
680m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

5.0
(5)
11
riders
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

9
riders
54.8km
04:22
1,490m
1,490m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
13
riders
73.8km
05:25
1,690m
1,690m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
9
riders
49.4km
03:45
1,080m
1,080m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
riders
125km
09:27
2,290m
2,290m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

10
runners
11.0km
01:17
250m
250m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

7
runners
8.21km
00:54
160m
160m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3
runners
4.90km
00:33
60m
60m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
runners
7.38km
00:49
140m
140m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
Riserva Naturale Monte Penna offers a variety of outdoor activities including Hiking, Road cycling, Touring cycling, Mountain biking, Gravel biking, and Jogging. The reserve features 81 routes across these sports, with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from more than 160 ratings. These routes cater to various skill levels and preferences.
Hiking trails in Riserva Naturale Monte Penna range from easy walks to more challenging ascents. Examples include the 3.8-mile [6.1 km] "Sorano – Via Cava di San Rocco loop from Sorano" which is rated easy, and the 16.6-mile [26.7 km] "Monte Amiata Loop from Santa Fiora" which is rated difficult. More information can be found in the Hiking in Riserva Naturale Monte Penna guide.
Yes, Riserva Naturale Monte Penna offers several road cycling routes, many of which are considered difficult due to significant elevation changes. An example is the 41.6-mile [66.9 km] "Roccalbegna – Monticello Amiata Village loop from Petricci." The Road Cycling Routes in Riserva Naturale Monte Penna guide provides more options.
Mountain biking trails in Riserva Naturale Monte Penna vary in difficulty. Options include the 19.3-mile [30.9 km] moderate "Miniere del Siele – Ponte di Santa Fiora loop from La Penna" and the 6.8-mile [11.0 km] easy "Beech Forest Trail – Agriturismo Il Cornacchino loop from Riserva Naturale Monte Penna." For more details, consult the MTB Trails in Riserva Naturale Monte Penna guide.
The reserve includes easy hikes and walks suitable for all skill levels, some taking up to two hours with manageable elevation gain. The 3.7-mile [5.9 km] "Boulder of the Belvedere Trail loop from Santa Fiora" is rated easy. The Easy hikes in Riserva Naturale Monte Penna guide lists additional suitable routes.
Riserva Naturale Monte Penna is known for its karstic phenomena, including dolines and caves like the Grotta del Sassocolato, which hosts large bat colonies. The "Bosco della Fonte" on Poggio della Vecchia is a protected maple forest biotop. The reserve also features peaks such as Monte Civitella (3,632 feet [1,107 meters]) and Monte Penna (3,563 feet [1,086 meters]).
Access to Riserva Naturale Monte Penna is typically via the municipality of Castell'Azzara. Specific parking information for trailheads is not centrally listed but is often available near starting points of popular routes. Visitors should check local signage for designated parking areas.
Specific regulations regarding dogs on trails within Riserva Naturale Monte Penna are not explicitly detailed. Visitors are advised to keep dogs on a leash and adhere to general park rules and local etiquette to protect wildlife and other visitors.
Riserva Naturale Monte Penna is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 900 visitors having shared their experiences. The routes in the reserve have an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, based on over 160 ratings. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among users.
Komoot offers several guides for Riserva Naturale Monte Penna, covering various activities. These include Hiking in Riserva Naturale Monte Penna, Road Cycling Routes in Riserva Naturale Monte Penna, and MTB Trails in Riserva Naturale Monte Penna. There are also guides for easy hikes, cycling, gravel biking, running, and attractions.
Yes, touring cycling is an option in Riserva Naturale Monte Penna, with routes often featuring significant distances and elevation changes. An example is the 28.2-mile [45.5 km] "Eremo Lazzaretti – Abbadia San Salvatore loop from Castell'Azzara," rated difficult. The Cycling in Riserva Naturale Monte Penna guide provides further routes.
Riserva Naturale Monte Penna is home to diverse wildlife. Common sightings include foxes, porcupines, wild boar, roe deer, and various mustelids like weasels and pine martens. Birdwatchers may spot buzzards, owls, and kestrels, with rare and threatened bird species also present in specific habitats.
For information regarding Riserva Naturale Monte Penna, contact the Comune di Castell'Azzara at +39 0564.951038. A local speleological group, "Gruppo Speleologico Archeologico Maremmano 'L'Orso'," which organizes guided visits, can be reached at +39 0564 951032.

