The Etruscans and the Sea (GR4)
Follonica (loc. puntone) - Scarlino - Gavorrano - Ravi - Caldana - Grilli - Bivi o Tirli - Castiglione della Pescaia - Pian d’Alma - Follonica (loc. puntone)

8. The Etruscans and the Sea (GR4) - 63.6 km

Follonica (Loc.Puntone) km 0 - Scarlino Km 5 - Gavorrano Km 8,6 - Ravi Km 17 - Caldana Km 21.3 - Grilli Km 27 - Bivio Tirli Km 36,2 - Castiglione della Pescaia Km 43,1 - Pian D'Alma Km 58,4 - Follonica (Loc. Puntone) Km 63,6

Distance in kilometres: 63.6 km
Difference in altitude: 560 m
Type of road: tarred road
Bicycle: roadster or all-terrain
Difficulty: average - easy
NOTES: An itinerary of average difficulty and quite smooth-flowing. The most demanding stretch is the climb to Gavorrano and the ups and downs between Ravi and Caldana. The second part of the itinerary does not present any difficulty and one cycles past sites of great historical and archaeological interest like Vetulonia. A detour to the town of Castiglione della Pescaia is to be recommended and for the sea lovers a detour to Punta Ala and Cala Violina, that can be reached on foot.
Vetulonia is one of the twelve most important Etruscan cities. It was rediscovered at the end of the nineteenth century by archaeological research conducted by Isidoro Falchi.

From the site Puntone, easily reached from Follonica, one starts in the direction of Gavorrano and Scarlino on the provincial road S.P. 60 “Puntone”. One cycles on apparently flat ground uphill and after about 4 kilometres one arrives within sight of central Scarlino on top of a hill. One cycles across vineyards and olive groves for 5.2 kilometres turning then right towards Scarlino always on the S.P. 60. At the next crossing (6.1) one cycles straight on to Gavorrano Scalo past the Scarlino cemetery. After 2.5 kilometres one leaves the S.P. 60 and takes the S.P. 104 “Filare” towards Gavorrano on the right (8.6).

Pedalling for 2.5 kilometres one reaches a roundabout (11) where one turns right uphill in the direction of Gavorrano. At the next crossing one keeps to the right; the S.P. 82 stretches uphill towards the town past a large quarry and treating the cyclist to a beautiful view of the town, to be reached after about 2 kilometres (13.3). The road enters the town skirting its historical centre and one turns right following the road signs to Ravi, Caldana and Grosseto. The S.P. 82 leaves the town and shortly afterwards one cycles downhill (14.5) through the thick maquis, surrounded by lush vegetation. At the end of the descent (16.8) at a crossing one turns right and reaches the village of Ravi. Leaving the village one negotiates a steep descent 1 kilometre long to then cycle on in a continuous ups and downs towards Caldana (21.3). At the T-crossing in the town one turns left towards Grosseto. From Caldana one cycles decidedly downhill across vineyards and olive groves towards the plain. On reaching a T-crossing (25.1) one turns right taking the S.P. 152 in the direction of Grosseto. Cycling for 2 kilometres one reaches the hamlet of Grilli and before reaching a well-defined bend to the left one turns right (27.5) in the direction of Tirli and Castiglione della Pescaia on the S.P. 23 “Strette”. One gets past the crossroads leading to Vetulonia (recommended detour) cycling on a continuous and good for cycling on climb for about 7 kilometres and then downhill as far as the hamlet of Ampio, where the road to Tirli begins on the right. The itinerary continues gently downhill for about 400 metres as far as the crossroads on the right (36.6), dimly visible. The S.P. 23 continues straight on to Castiglione della Pescaia while the itinerary takes a turn on the right onto a bypath winding across farmlands and vineyards.

One keeps to the main track avoiding all the side turnings, passing by several farms (41.8) to then enter the urban area of Castiglione della Pescaia (43.1): one cycles straight on through the industrial area as far as a T-crossing (44.4) where one turns left reaching after 600 metres a large crossing (45): on the left it leads to the centre of Castiglione della Pescaia while the itinerary takes the uphill ramp right in front following the road signs to Follonica and Punta Ala. At the top of the climb of 5-600 metres one cycles decidedly downhill as far as a large roundabout (46.6) and turns right in the direction of Punta Ala and Follonica. Shortly afterwards one takes the S.P. 158 “delle Collacchie”. After about 7 kilometres the straight road starts leading uphill to a short tunnel (54.6) to continue downhill. Past the crossing (57.3) to Tirli (on the right) and Punta Ala (on the left) one cycles straight on passing by a refreshment stand (58.4) in Pian d’Alma. After 2 kilometres past the crossroads to Cala Violina on the left one reaches the descent towards Follonica and the locality Puntone, near the traffic lights where the itinerary comes to an end (63.6). [1]