ANELLO di MASSA MARiTTiMA (GR2)
FollonICA - SCARlIno SCAlo - lAGo Dell’ACCeSA - CAPAnne - MASSA MARIttIMA - FAttoRIA MARSIlIAnA - FollonICA

7 - The Ring of Massa Marittima (GR2) - 58 km

Starting point and arrival: Follonica
Distance in kilometres: 58 km
Difference in altitude: 420 m
Type of road: tarred road
Bicycle: roadster or all-terrain
Difficulty: average - demanding
NOTES: The first part of this itinerary winds across the plain, later on it presents a more lively profile. The most difficult stretches are thenclimb to Capanne and the ups and downs of the Marsiliana road. Massa Marittima is a place of great touristic attraction, as well as the very fine hilly landscape of the Marsiliana. Along the route one could find refreshment points at Scarlino Scalo and Bagni di Gavorrano, in the first part of the route, later on at Massa Marittima..

FOLLONICA Km 0- SCARLINO SCALO Km 5 - LAGO DELL'ACCESA Km 20 - CAPANNE Km 25 - MASSA MARITTIMA Km 31- FATTORIA MARSILIANA Km 44 - FOLLONICA Km 58

The itinerary starts on the outskirts of Follonica at the locality Casa Rondelli near the large roundabout leading to the provincial road S.P. 152 in the direction of Punta Ala, Castiglione della Pescaia and Grosseto. One cycles across the plain on the Vecchia Aurelia parallel to the railway past Scarlino Scalo (5).

One cycles through the junction leading to the national road S.S. 1 Aurelia (9) as far as the fork on the right (12.5) where one follows the road signs to Aurelia, Ribolla and Lago dell’Accesa taking the S.P. 31 “Collacchia”. A short while later one turns again left in the direction of Ribolla, Tatti and Lago dell’Accesa cycling under the S.S. 1 Aurelia. One cycles uphill for about 1 kilometre and then downhill as far as the crossroads where one leaves the S.P. 31 to turn left taking the S.P. 49 “dell’Accesa” (15.3) in the direction of Massa Marittima. After a pair of kilometres one crosses the bridge over the river Bruna and starts climbing until one clears the hill (18.8). From here one cycles on as far as the locality La Pesta (20), a possible refreshment point near Lago dell’Accesa.

A further 600 metres on the provincial road S.P. 49 as far as the crossroads on the right (20.6) where one takes the S.P. 50 towards Capanne. The road climbs gradually for 2 kilometres and then continues without any difficulty as far as the town of Capanne (25). Having reached the lay-by with the bus stop, one continues along the tarred byroad uphill, completely surrounded by lush vegetation, as far as Massa Marittima. Reaching a large roundabout (31) one follows the road signs to the centre of the town that is undoubtedly worthy of a visit. Past the main square with the cathedral one leaves the centre (33.7) and takes the S.P. 151 downhill to Follonica.

At the end of the descent at a crossing one cycles across the regional road S.R. 439 to take the provincial road S.P. 143 “Marsiliana” (36). One cycles on a fine alley fringed with cypresses for about 1 kilometre as far as a mediaeval mill (37.1) where one turns left onto a straight road (38.5). The road continues on apparently flat ground downhill for about 3.5 kilometres. Then the difference in altitude “awakes” and from now on the Marsiliana becomes a continuous alternating of descents and climbs through a very fair and hilly area. After a short while (44) one cycles by the Scuola Allievi del Corpo Forestale dello Stato (National Rangers School) (Fattoria Marsiliana) to reach after 5 kilometres (49.3) the S.P. 33 where one turns left. One pedals without difficulty for 4 kilometres as far as the next crossroads where one turns right on the S.R. 439 (53.3) in the direction of Follonica. Past the S.S. 1 Aurelia after 1.5 kilometres one cycles for further 3 kilometres as far as the Casa Rondelli roundabout where the ring closes (58).