The Wild Heart of Tuscany: The Maremma
The Maremma is the wildest part of Tuscany and an area of natural beauty: the yellow of the broom and sunflowers, the green of the olives, the gold and purple of the vines all add vibrancy to the marsh land and wild Mediterranean scrub which gives way to chestnut and beech trees the closer you get to the sea.
From North to South the Maremma is an unspoilt paradise and it is no wonder many people fall in love with this part of Tuscany. The coastline is worth exploring by bike or horseback, from the Argentario peninsular joined to the mainland by two sandbars – Tombolo della Feniglia to the south and the Tombolo della Giannella to the north - to the islands of Giglio, Montecristo and Giannutri.
As you head away from the coast, the long sunny beaches and rocks at Marina di Grosseto, Castiglione della Pescaia, Punta Ala and Folonica become gentle hills scattered with small dwellings and atmospheric villages.
South of Grosseto you will find Saturnia and from here to the east the Maremma offers a network of footpaths across panoramic plateaus and through canyons of ‘tufo' (a volcanic rock).
This area is made famous by the picturesque, walled hilltop villages of Pitigliano and Sorano and the Romanesque churches and Etruscan necropolis in Sovana.
Still in the Grosseto region, is the Maremma Park with its range of hills descending towards the sea to reach the sandy beaches and cliffs. The Park spreads from the mouth of the Ombrone river until it reaches Talamone , along 25 km of the breathtaking Tuscan coastline surrounded by marshland, pinewood forests, farmed fields and pastures. Here you will find some of the most beautiful and untouched coastline of the Maremma. Within this vast protected area are the Uccellina mountains and the Uccellina Park.
A great variety of wildlife moves amongst the Mediterranean scrub and medieval ruins which make up the higher grounds of the Park including wild boar, deer, porcupines, horses, the maremma breed of cow and numerous other small mammals and birds. The perfect place for young and old!
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