For hikers, Tuscany offers a multifaceted landscape, between the barren mountain ranges of the Apennines in the north and the gentle Maremma in the south.
The Tuscan hills are characterized by extensive pine forests, vineyards and olive groves. For hikers, Tuscany offers a wide variety of challenges, from the barren mountain ranges of the Apennines in the north, to the flat hills of the Maremma, along the southern coastline and the offshore island of Elba.
The north of Tuscany as a challenging hiking area
The foothills of the Apennines located in the northern part of Tuscany are also called Apuan Alps and lead up to a height of around 2.000 meters. Here you will find the famous Marble Mountains near Carraras. Crustacean deposits were transformed over millions of years into the white-yellow marble that Michelangelo used for his most important sculptures. To this day, the area is one of the most important mining areas for high-quality marble in Europe. Immediately in front of it is the low mountain range crossed by river valleys, which forms the transition to the flatter hilly landscapes in the south and to the coast. This region also includes the Crete, a barren landscape in the province Siena. The Accona Desert lies in the heart of the low mountain range. The so-called Biancane, white hill formations devoid of any vegetation, are particularly typical for this area.
Postcard panorama of Tuscany in the south of the region
Go to the Hiking in Tuscany A visit to the famous wine-growing regions must also be planned. The region Chianti forms the transition between the low mountain range and the rolling hills of the Maremma. The landscape is characterized by extensive vineyards and olive groves, especially the Ombrone. This is particularly ideal for hiking through Tuscany, as its course winds through the entire region up to the mouth of the river Grosseto. The hiking trails on its banks also lead through the lovely landscape Maremma. What dominates here are wide swamp landscapes and numerous lakes, which are primarily fed by meltwater. The untouched nature of the landscape is particularly impressive. Neither Pisa even Sienna showed interest in cultivating the area in the Middle Ages.
Last updated: 06.02.2024
