Introduction: An area still too little known for its natural features, Monte Amiata is a mountain of volcanic origin on whose slopes stretches one of the largest beech woods in central Italy. Climbing to the summit of Monte Amiata is an easy hike suitable for children too that rewards you with an encounter
Route characteristics: Plenty of paths all over the mountain; the route, however, winds up ski runs, which clearly forces hikers to go up only in summer, when the runs can be walked.
For eating and sleeping at the starting point: Albergo Le Macinaie on Monte Amiata.
Route description
The route starts in front of the Albergo Le Macinaie at Prato Le Macinaie. You can park easily in front of the hotel. Cross the road to the small chairlift building. The building sits very nicely beneath the beech trees. Go round the right-hand side of the building and find the first ski run. Keep left at the first fork; about 100 m after the chairlift building keep left again. Then you start climbing the grassy slope. Keeping to the right of the ski run you end up passing under the chairlift. Right near the point where the chairlift crosses the ski run you can follow the route through the wood beneath the chairlift. Very evocative. The trees form a sort of cathedral that closes over the chairlift. Follow the chairlift to the top. At the top station of the chairlift carry on along an intuitive little path to the Croce Monumentale.
You can descend on the eastern side of the mountain by the “via crucis” path, in a very evocative setting of megalithic rocks and centuries-old beeches.
Also worth visiting is the (very modern) monument of the Madonna degli Scouts, set on the fore-summit of the mountain among enormous boulders of lava.
Return by the same route.
Variants and alternatives
The variants and hiking possibilities on this interesting mountain are endless; we leave hikers the experience of finding their own personal interpretation of the area.
Notes on effort and difficulty
Visitor centres and accommodation
Monte Amiata hotel and restaurant Le Macinaie, where you can eat wonderfully and stay for several days.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the climb to Monte Amiata from Prato le Macinaie take?
It takes about 2 hours 30 minutes there and back, for 3.4 km and 390 m of total ascent. You start in front of the Albergo Le Macinaie, where you can park easily, and climb up along the ski runs.
Is the hike to Monte Amiata suitable for children?
Yes, it's graded E-, has no particular difficulties and requires modest physical effort: it's suitable for children aged 5 and up. Since you climb along the ski runs, it should be done in summer.
