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A very long stage, fairly undulating in the first part. Starting in Follonica, the route passes through the northern part of the Grosseto province, skirting Monte Amiata and crossing the Siena region by climbing the Passo del Lume Spento and La Foce before reaching the towns of Montalcino and Chiusi. The terrain then becomes more forgiving, crossing the Trasimeno plain on mostly straight roads, occasionally with narrow sections. After Foligno, the final climb begins, leading to the Valico di Colfiorito, located at about 4 km to go.
Last kilometers
The final kilometers unfold on a sharp ascent. The toughest section is at the beginning, with gradients exceeding 10%, followed by a slightly uphill false-flat leading to the summit. A short descent follows, and after passing through the town of Colfiorito, a brief climb leads to the finish.
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climb detail
final kilometres
itinerary timetable
tourist info
Host city:
Follonica
Overview
Follonica is one of the most popular summer destinations of the Grosseto Maremma and more generally of Tuscany.
The gradual urban expansion toward the sea, which took place mainly during the last century, has made Follonica a city with a strong tourist vocation, although its foundation dates back to the 16th century (AD), when it established itself in the Tuscan territory as an important steel hub.
The historic center of Follonica in fact coincides with the ancient perimeter wall (magonal fence) that enclosed the ironworks.
Points of interest
Follonica’s coastline is particularly prized for its sandy seabed that slopes slowly out to sea. A feature that allows anyone to be able to dive into the water without taking risks.
The numerous bathing establishments scattered along this stretch of the Maremma coastline offer sea lovers the opportunity to spend pleasant days on the beach in the company of friends and family. There is also no shortage of large stretches of free beach and DOG BEACH, dedicated to those who choose Follonica and the Maremma to spend their vacations with their dogs.
Follonica has been awarded the Blue Flag several times in the past 18 years. In 2017 it received the 5 Sails from Legambiente, ricons that have been a guarantee on the quality of the sea water and services provided to visitors since their establishment.
Follonica is a town rich in history, tradition and places to visit. The MAGMA – Museo delle Arti in Ghisa della Maremma (Museum of Cast Iron Arts of the Maremma), located in theformer iron and steel complex, offers the chance to get in touch with the history of Follonica and its territory. The Montioni Natural Park, on the other hand, offers the possibility of historical itineraries to discover some of the most important places for the territory during the Middle Ages.
- MAGMA – Museum of Cast Iron Arts in the Maremma, was inaugurated in 1970 in a temporary location. Since 1998, this museum of the Maremma has been permanently housed inside the old San Ferdinando Furnace. Inside MAGMA, thanks to the multimedia exhibit, it is possible to trace the process of cast iron production, both locally and internationally. In the Etruscan section of the museum, on the other hand, a number of artifacts found during the excavation of the Etruscan iron and steel settlement at Rondelli are on display.
- Follonica Theater: the former steel complex houses, in addition to MAGMA, the Follonica Theater. The restoration project of the Fonderia Leopolda, a building that currently houses the theater, was supervised by architect Vittorio Gregotti. Opened on October 27, 2014, with a concert by Franco Battiato, currently the auditorium can hold 400 people. There is also a cafeteria and a restaurant inside the theater.
- Art Gallery: the Pinacoteca di Follonica, dating back to the early twentieth century, was first Casa del Fascio, then Casa del Popolo and now houses the Civic Art Gallery. Inside are permanent collections donated by contemporary artists and painters, local and otherwise.
Colfiorito (Foligno)
Overview
Foligno, traditionally known as the “Center of the World”, is a city rich in art and history. Its focal point is Piazza della Repubblica, where visitors can admire the recently restored Cathedral of San Feliciano, the magnificent Palazzo Trinci – home to the city’s museum – and Palazzo Orfini, which houses the Printing Museum. It was here, in 1472, that the first printed edition of The Divine Comedy was produced. In this very square, Saint Francis renounced his possessions, selling cloth and his horse to repair the small church of San Damiano.
Beyond the city walls, the surrounding area boasts an extraordinary cultural and environmental heritage. From the historic center, a journey along the Menotre River Valley leads to Colfiorito: the landscape gradually transforms from plains to mountains, passing through lush forests and the waterfalls of Altolina Park. This region is a continuous succession of breathtaking views, enriched by picturesque villages such as Pale, known for its caves and the Hermitage of Santa Maria Giacobbe, and Rasiglia, the enchanting “village of waters.”
Just a few kilometers from Foligno, Colfiorito is a land of history, nature, and traditions, located at 760 meters above sea level on the plateau of the same name. It is particularly valued for its ecological importance, thanks to the presence of a mountain wetland – an oasis of biodiversity and the heart of the Colfiorito Regional Park. The area’s rich history is reflected in the remains of the ancient Umbrian city of Plestia, preserved at the Colfiorito Archaeological Museum (MAC). Thanks to its strategic location between Umbria and the Marche region, Colfiorito is the perfect starting point for exploring the surrounding territory, offering an authentic experience of nature, history, and traditional flavors.
Food
Umbria is widely recognized as a region of gastronomic excellence, and Foligno, with its rich history, traditions, and unique geography, represents one of its finest expressions.
Here, culinary traditions remain deeply rooted, following the natural rhythm of the seasons and agricultural cycles. The land offers exceptional products such as Cave beans, “gobbi” (cardoons) used in the rich and flavorful parmigiana, and extra virgin olive oil from the prized Moraiolo variety, characteristic of these hills. The area also produces excellent multifloral honey, made from the nectar of various botanical species, including sunflower, chestnut, and acacia.
The city center and surrounding villages are home to numerous small eateries and traditional taverns where one can savor the authentic flavors of the region. Those looking to experience the true essence of Foligno’s cuisine cannot miss strangozzi with truffle, tagliatelle and gnocchi with castrato sauce, piccione alla folignate, Menotre trout cooked “in porchetta,” and cheese pizza with cured meats, still today an essential element—along with lamb coratella and boiled eggs—of the traditional Easter breakfast. Dishes made with Colfiorito lentils and red potatoes are also a staple, while the meal finds its perfect conclusion with rocciata, the area’s signature dessert.
The Colfiorito plateaus are not only a reservoir of biodiversity but also a privileged place for cultivating high-quality agricultural products. Lentils, chickling peas, beans, and chickpeas thrive here, alongside cereals such as wheat, barley, and particularly spelt. Vast pastures support livestock farming, ensuring the production of excellent meats, milk, and dairy products that enrich the already diverse local food heritage.
Among the area’s most prized products is the Red Potato of Colfiorito (PGI), which becomes the undisputed star of the Red Potato Festival and Market Exhibition, held every August. With its matte red skin, delicate peel, and firm, straw-yellow flesh, this highly versatile tuber is perfect for boiling, roasting, frying, or grilling. Among the most beloved local specialties, it is used to prepare gnocchi with castrato sauce and sweet red potato doughnuts.
Wines and Beverage
Foligno also stands at the heart of one of Umbria’s most renowned wine-producing regions. The area is home to prestigious labels such as Montefalco Sagrantino, in both its dry and passito versions, Montefalco Rosso, Grechetto, and Trebbiano, wines that perfectly complement the rich flavors of local cuisine.
Points of Interest
The Menotre Valley
Following the historic route from Foligno to Colfiorito, travelers pass through the Menotre Valley, an area of extraordinary natural beauty. Over the centuries, the river that gives the valley its name has shaped not only the landscape but also the local economy and society, fostering the rise of mills, fulling houses for textile production, and paper manufacturing. This industrial activity led to the development of villages, hamlets, and castles, many of which remain beautifully preserved, seemingly untouched by time: Belfiore, Pale, Ponte Santa Lucia, Scopoli, Leggiana, Casenove, Serrone, Verchiano, and Rasiglia.
Belfiore and Pale serve as gateways to the Altolina Park, where the Menotre River forms oases, waterfalls, streams, gorges, and caves. A network of scenic hiking trails winds through this breathtaking landscape. The village of Scopoli is home to a medieval castle enclosing the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, while Casenove, once a crucial stop along the Via Lauretana, has long been an important postal station – so much so that even Mozart stopped here on his journey from Rome to the Sanctuary of the Madonna of Loreto.
Perched at the foot of Monte Pale, the village of Pale developed as an important center for paper production, thanks to its proximity to the river. From here, a scenic trail with 305 steps leads to the Hermitage of Santa Maria Giacobbe, first documented in 1296. Inhabited until recent times, the hermitage preserves frescoes dating from the 14th to the 17th centuries. Pale also provides access to the Abbadessa Caves, where visitors can admire stalagmites, limestone formations, and fascinating geological stratifications.
One of the valley’s true gems is Rasiglia, officially recognized as one of “The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy” and known as the “Village of Waters.” Here, the Capovena Spring flows through the streets, culminating in the large, scenic pool known as La Peschiera. In the 20th century, Rasiglia was a thriving hub of textile production, and many of its well-preserved structures remain, turning the village into a living open-air museum.
The Colfiorito Plateaus
Also known as the Plestini Plateaus, these seven interconnected plains lie within the Umbrian-Marche Apennines, surrounded by rugged limestone ridges. They are the remnants of ancient lake basins, which have naturally dried up or been reclaimed over time.
The beauty of the plateaus is best experienced by exploring the region’s extensive network of hiking trails, consisting largely of loop routes of varying lengths. These trails lead visitors through a landscape rich in natural, historical, archaeological, and cultural landmarks. Many paths follow ancient roads and transhumance routes, while others form part of long-distance trails such as the Sentiero Italia and E1 European Path, as well as spiritual routes like the Via Lauretana and the Franciscan Path of the Marca.
For cycling enthusiasts, the Circuit of the Seven Plestini Plateaus offers a 47.3 km route with an elevation gain of 670 meters, traversing a mix of paved and dirt roads.
The Colfiorito Regional Park
At an altitude of 760 meters and covering just 338 hectares, the Colfiorito Regional Park is the smallest protected area in Umbria. Despite its size, it is a remarkable biodiversity hotspot, largely due to the presence of a mountain wetland. This marshland has been recognized as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention and is designated as a Site of Community Importance within the Natura 2000 Network.
The Museums of Colfiorito
- Natural History Museum – Located next to the park’s Tourist Info Point, this museum features natural history collections that provide valuable insights into the region’s ecology and scientific heritage.
- MAC – The Archaeological Museum – Home to approximately 1,450 artifacts from the Roman and pre-Roman periods, uncovered during excavations across the plateaus.
- Colfiorito Concentration Camp Memorial – Housed in a former military barracks, this memorial commemorates the history of the monarchist-fascist concentration camp, which operated from 1939 to 1944.
