Monte Amiata is the highest extinct volcano in Italy, and home of the largest beech tree forest in the country. The Etruscans considered it their Mount Olympus, and the fertile land and thick forests have been inhabited since prehistoric times.

The Anello dell’Amiata trail is an excellent circular trail around the mountain top, and the Parco Faunistico travels through the various diverse habitats of the mountain. The Amiata Animal Park on the western side of Monte Labbro protects a wide range of natural wildlife, including deer, wolves, foxes, wild boar, weasels, falcons and buzzards.

For mountain bikers there are numerous well maintained routes, and for tradiional road cyclists the Strada della Castagna, Strada del Vino di Montecucco and the villages of the Val dOrcia and the Valle d’Ombrone. Castiglioncello Bandini is the perfect country base for discovering the area.