A3 Collelungo olive grove

The first part of the route, flat and suggestive, follows the light undulations of the sandy strips on which the grand ducal pine forest was planted in the nineteenth century, six hundred hectares covered with domestic pines to which is now added an undergrowth of large mastic and juniper bushes. It is an environment rich in animals, as can easily be seen by observing the quantity of footprints on the ground and the calls of birds.

Once at the Turtle Bridge, you cross the Scoglietto-Collelungo canal and reach the caves, where the sea reached until a few centuries ago. A little further on, on the left, a short climb begins through a low scrub of rosemary, mastic, holm oak and cistus, while the view soon widens onto an immense expanse of pine foliage that stretches to the sea and the islands of Tuscan archipelago. At the end of the climb, continue on a wide, flat path, up to the small Precoriale pond, from where, walking through an ancient cork grove and a thicket of tall holm oaks, you reach the road of olive trees.

Going down the road, you cross the ancient and splendid olive grove of Collelungo, today a pasture for wild animals and occasionally also for groups of Maremma cows. Even if they are not there, the base of the foliage of the large olive trees reveals their passage, perfectly leveled right at the height of their bite.

The road then approaches a viewpoint on the right, which overlooks the Serrata dei Cavalleggeri, a large clearing named after the mounted soldiers who once patrolled the Tuscan coast. Here, where in the past Maremma cattle and horses gathered, natural vegetation is now growing back.

Continuing along the road, a short, steeper descent leads to the Collelungo roundabout. Here you can go over the large dune to overlook the beach, or follow the signs for the Pinastrellaia road, which crosses the pine forest again and reaches Marina di Alberese, from where following the cycle path you quickly return to the starting point.