The Routes

The route network “Dolce Campagna Antiche Mura” (D.C.A.M.) (Sweet Countryside Ancient Walls) allows to explore one of the most beautiful areas of central Tuscany where the unique hilly landscape features several historical and artistic testimonies. The itineraries unfold along a main ring-shaped eight-day route (indicated with the initials TR) that includes the main towns of the area and twenty four secondary ring-shaped routes (four in each municipality) to be completed in a day.
These itineraries are indicated with red-white road markings and with road signs. The road markings consist of brushstrokes of white and red paint applied to various items and natural elements placed along the routes at variable distance depending on the degree of practicability of the route and on the difficulty of orientation. The road signs, located at the beginning of the routes and at intersections, indicate the characteristics of the itinerary and provide useful information.

The Territory

The hills between the area of San Gimignano, Gambassi Terme and Pignano are formed by ancient consolidated rocks such as limestone, sandstone and shale where it is not unusual to find fossil sea shells owing to the presence of the sea in this part of the region up until approx. one million years ago. When the sea withdrew, the erosive action of surface water on the land that emerged gave rise to unusual soil conformations such as the biancane, whitish dome-shaped clayey reliefs (Saline di Volterra), the calanchi, an intricate web of channels separated by sharp crests (Certaldo), and the balze where the sand forms steep walls that rise over clayey hillsides (San Giusto – Volterra). There are also thermal water springs near the town of Gambassi Terme.

The Flora and Fauna

In the woods of the hilly areas around Varna, there are downy oak trees, field maple trees, hornbeams and in the plane, poplar trees. Cypress trees feature prominently and usually surround sunflower, corn and tobacco fields and, above all, vineyards and olive groves, typical cultivations of this part of Tuscany.

The local fauna includes pheasants, hares and wild-boars and the periodical passage of migratory birds such as thrushes, doves and chaffinches and residential birds such as the blackbird, the hoopoe and the buzzard. The area also features widespread sheep farming for the production of high-quality cheeses.

Useful links

www.terresiena.it

www.firenzeturismo.it

www.pisaturismo.it

cultura.empolese-valdelsa.it