The Basso Merse Nature Reserve is a protected natural area located in the municipalities of Murlo, Montalcino, Monticiano (SI) and Civitella Paganico (GR). The reserve covers an area of 1,640 hectares and was established in 1996.
The Conventaccio Ring in the Basso Merse nature reserve
The trail allows visitors to get to know some of the most unique environments of the Basso Merse Nature Reserve and to visit the striking Hermitage of Montespecchio, also known as "Conventaccio," in the narrow, dark valley of the ditch of the same name, a tributary of the Crevolone stream. The loop trail begins at the parking lot of the Reserve, along the paved road that connects Casciano di Murlo to Campopalazzi and Montepescini.
On the tops of Poggio Boschettino and Poggio del Crocino you cross rocky outcrops of serpentinite, the green-black rock from which Siena Cathedral was built, and the Conventaccio itself, which is home to endemic plant species specialized to these environments, as well as monumental specimens of red juniper; there are no shortage of views over the Orcia valley and the Ombrone valley to Amiata. At the bottom of the valley of the Fosso Conventaccio, on the other hand, one crosses a beautiful old oak forest, in the midst of which the ruins of the hermitage appear.
The trail is not suitable for horses. There are rest stops and information panels.
Length: about 2 km.
Walking time: 1 hour.
Total elevation gain: 130 m
Difficulty: trail challenging in places due to the rocky and sloping terrain, need to be equipped with hiking shoes or boots and water.
