20. Towards the Albegna Springs - 37.8 km
Arcidosso - km 0 Le Macchie- km 5.6 Bivio Buceto - km 10.3 Roccalbegna - km 20 Riserva del Pescinello - km 23 Bivio Monte Labbro - km 28.7 Località Aiole - km 34.6 Arcidosso - km 37.8
Starting point and arrival: Arcidosso
Distance in kilometres: 37.8 km
Difference in altitude: 1.050 m
Type of road: 22.3 km dirt track + 15.5 km tarred road
Bicycle: MTB
Difficulty: average - exacting
NOTES: The most demanding stretches are the two climbs to the slopes of Mount Labbro: the first one from the locality Serra a short while after the start and the second in the final stretch of the itinerary crossing the Nature Reserve of Pescinello. However, both are good to cycle on and do not present prohibitive slopes.
One starts from the roundabout in Arcidosso in the direction of Grosseto. After 250 metres, at the crossroads, one keeps to the left and takes the provincial road S.P.7 in the direction of Cinigiano - Grosseto cycling on a good to cycle on and not too steep slope. Reaching after 2 kilometres the locality Serra one turns left uphill and follows the road signs to Macchie, Zancona and the Wildlife Park. One cycles uphill on a tarred road for nearly 3.5 kilometres as far as the the locality Macchie (5.6) and when one reaches the street number 66 - on the right - one turns decidedly left cycling uphill and following the directions to a bar-restaurant; after 700 metres the dirt track begins.
One climbs gently and then after 4 kilometres one reaches a crossing where one turns right: one cycles without interruption uphill and after 400 metres one turns left. From this point a plain stretch (not too exacting ups and downs) begins, skirting a small valley on the left , the place of birth of the river Albegna.
After about 3 kilometres, having reached a very panoramic site the road starts sloping decidedly down to Roccalbegna. Cycling downhill one enjoys a spectacular view of the Grosseto area of Maremma, the coast and Monte Argentario. At a crossroads with a trough: one turns left and nearly at once the ascent ending after 1.2 kilometres begins. At this point it is important to pay attention: on the right, looking down, a wooden stake is visible with a white and red aluminium plaque of the Grosseto province track marking. Here one leaves the road turning right (U-bend) and taking the path which in short becomes a not too good to cycle on track because of large stones: only those having a good technique are able to remain in the saddle. The technical stretch ends after 600 metres when one cycles steeply and smoothly downhill on the dirt track, as far as Roccalbegna (20) where one returns to the tarred S.P. 160. One turns left crossing the town (it deserves a visit) as far as the bridge over the Albegna where one starts climbing gently for about 3 kilometres as far as the signpost indicating the Natural Reserve of Pescinello (23). Here one turns left and takes to the dirt track smoothly climbing for 5.7 kilometres towards Mount Labbro (28.7).[1]
