Waterfall
RIVERS, STREORS, LAKES, WATERFALLS AND RENOWNED THERMAL SPRINGS CHARACTERIZE THE ENTIRE TERRITORY OF THE TUSCAN MAREMMA. THE MAJOR MAREMMA WATER COURSES ARE IDEAL FOR CANEORING, TREKKING, KAYAK AND CANOE SPORTS EXCURSIONS.
Long swampy due to the presence of tomboli along the coast, which prevented river water from flowing into the sea, the Tuscan Maremma is affected by the transit of several rivers: from north to south there are Cecina, Cornia, Pecora, Bruna, Ombrone, Albegna, Chiarone and Fiora, all water courses that have shaped the territory of Livorno and Grosseto, giving life to plants and ravines, and which have strongly contributed, in the past, to the swamping of the area and the spread of Anopheles mosquitoes, historically lethal for all populations living in Maremma. Among the internal basins, the coastal lake of Burano near the medieval village of Capalbio, a nature oasis managed by the WWF – Lake Burano Nature Reserve – while among the humid areas the mouth of the Ombrone, protected within the Uccellina Park Maremma Regional Natural Park. Among the Maremma waters, the thermal springs are of great importance, widespread both on the coast (Venturina) and inland (Saturnia and the Monte Amiata area) and often exploited since ancient times, without interruption.
THE MOST IMPORTANT WATER COURSES THAT CROSS THE TERRITORY OF THE MAREMMA GROSSETANA ARE THE FIORA, THE ALBEGNA AND THE OMBRONE.
The Fiora river originates on Mount Amiata at 1738 meters above sea level and flows into the Tyrrhenian Sea near Montalto di Castro in the Maremma Laziale. It is an abundant waterway that can be traveled on board canoes and kayaks. The route along which these sporting excursions can be carried out measures approximately 28 km: it begins near Pitigliano and develops between high tuff walls and clearings; it then widens downstream in large quiet spaces up to the artificial lake of Ponte dell’Abbadia. The first downhill stretch allows you to appreciate the corners of wild nature that soften when you reach the Maremma hills.
Another watercourse that allows you to enjoy fun canyoning experiences is the Albegna river, which originates in the Amiata area and ends in the sea at the Orbetello Lagoon. Particularly suggestive is the stretch between Roccalbegna and Saturnia, where the only examples of limestone gorges in the whole of the Tuscan Maremma are found. Along the river route, near Rocchette di Fazio, you can admire high rock walls characterized by a particularly smooth conformation.
Unlike the first two, the Ombrone river does not originate in Maremma, but flows among the Chianti hills, in the province of Siena. The first stretch of the Maremma course, in the Paganico area, is characterized by flat and wide banks, ideal for trekking. After crossing the province of Grosseto, touching the city itself, the Ombrone flows into the sea, 166 km from its source, in the highest part of the Maremma Natural Park. The limited presence of rapids and differences in height does not allow for adventurous sporting kayak crossings. The calm course of the river course is interesting for those who, aboard a canoe, want to admire the profiles of the hilly villages and enjoy the many views that open onto the Maremma plain. The itinerary suitable for rowing is between Paganico and Istia d’Ombrone. Superlative to go up the mouth, perhaps at sunset. All around, reed beds, worked fields, long-horned Maremma cows grazing and some Buttero on horseback.
The Spas of the Tuscan Maremma
The Tuscan thermal waters, known and appreciated since ancient times by the Etruscans and Romans, flow abundantly throughout the region. The Maremma spas almost all have very ancient origins, such as those of Roselle and Saturnia. The latter location is still today a renowned spa center which combines the beauty of the places (not to miss the suggestive Gorello waterfalls, sulphurous waters accessible to all) with the good level of the structures in which specific treatments are carried out with the use of advanced techniques. Other interesting thermal areas of the Maremma are located on the slopes of Monte Amiata, in Acquaforte di Bagnore, near Santa Fiora, in Monterotondo Marittimo (Bagnolo spa), in Petriolo, in Sorano and Orbetello (Osa spa)
