Inserted in the woods rich in Mediterranean scrub and enclosed between the medieval village of Gambassi Terme, the Via Francigena and the Via del Sale directed to Volterra, the paths wind along the valley floor where the river Casciani flows.
This fascinating territory contains historical, landscape, folkloristic and cultural elements linked by a common thread: water.
The historic aqueduct, the mysterious refuge of the hermit Maurizio, the small Bollori gayser, the ruins of ancient mills … water as an essential resource for the natural and cultural life of these places.
Along the course of water between jumps and thunders characteristic paths are divided into five rings: the first one, the largest in which intersect the other rings, will lead you directly from the village to the valley floor, guiding you into the woods mixed with deciduous trees and Mediterranean scrub.
The other four, which are shorter and interconnected, will give you the opportunity to explore the area in more depth as you see fit.
Trail n. 1 – Anello dei Casciani
Journey time: around 5h
Kilometres: 13,3 km
Color: Red
Difficulty: EE
Departure from the village of Gambassi Terme, descending along the Via Francigena towards San Gimignano (stage 31), deviation on the right along the river. Crossing some fords we reach the emergencies of Grotta alla Vacca and then Bollori and Putizza. Continuing along the bed of the torrent we reach the Grotte di Maurizio. Going up towards the old aqueduct of the Forra and return to the center of Gambassi passing by the small church of Santa Cristina and the medieval archaeological excavations of Germagnana.
Trail n. 2 – Anello dei Bollori
Journey time: around 2,5 h
Kilometres: 6,6 km
Color: Blue
Difficulty: EE
Departure from the village of Gambassi Terme, descending along the Via Francigena towards San Gimignano (stage 31), deviation on the right along the river. Crossing some fords you reach the emergencies of Grotta alla Vacca and then Bollori and Putizza. Return towards Gambassi along the path that crosses typical Tuscan cultivation lands in Pompone and Pola.
Trail n. 3 – Anello delle due Vie (Francigena e Via del Sale)
Journey time: around 2 h
Kilometres: 5,6 km
Color: Yellow
Difficulty: EE
Start of the path along the Via Francigena towards San Gimignano (stage 31), reaching the crossroads towards Bollori and Putizza (indicative sign on the spot). After some fords you reach Grotta alla Vacca and Bollori. Cross the torrent and continue on an uphill stretch that leads to Costa di San Vettore (Via del Sale). Discesa verso l’intersezione col percorso iniziale e ritorno al punto di partenza sulla Via Francigena.
Trail n. 4 – Anello delle Carbonaie
Journey time: around 2 h
Kilometres: 5,1 km
Color: Green
Difficulty: EE
The ring starts in the immediate vicinity of the agriturismo La grotta dell’Eremita. You go up along the Carbonaie path to reach the coast of San Vettore (Via del Sale), which you follow on the ancient paved road until you cross the ring n.3. Return following the bed of the torrent crossing several fords (possible deviation in case of high water).
Trail n. 5 – Anello di Maurizio
Journey time: around 2,5 h
Kilometres: 5,9 km
Color: Orange
Difficulty: EE
Approach from the locality i Fiori. Departure of the path from the electricity cabin, continue to the right reaching the Acquedotto della Forra. Once visited the galleries, return on your steps to continue the path. Beautiful panoramic descent to the stream in the valley bottom, reaching the Caves of Maurizio. Final ascent with the possibility of choosing between two parallel routes (A and B) around the Poggio della Forra.
Download .gpx: Casciani_gpx
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