Tomboli Reserve, from Marina di Cecina

Access

Leave the motorway at the Cecina Centro junction. Drive along the Strada Aurelia following the signs for Marina di Cecina until you come to the central avenue of the seaside resort. At the end of the avenue, turn left. Continue for about 1 km and reach, on the right, the main entrance to the "Il Cancellone" Reserve.

Introduction

Just a stone's throw from Marina di Cecina, the Tomboli di Cecina Nature Reserve preserves a unique ecosystem, modelled over the centuries by the interaction between man, wind and sea. Created in 1839 as part of an ambitious reforestation project commissioned by Grand Duke Leopold II to protect the crops growing behind it from the salt, it now extends over 400 hectares along a stretch of the Tyrrhenian coast where nature expresses itself in a surprising variety of environments.

From the sandy coastline, marked by dune belts covered with junipers and sea lilies, we gradually move on to dense pine forests and areas of Mediterranean scrub that offer shelter to numerous animal species. Birds of prey and small sedentary birds move among the branches of the pines, while in the more secluded stretches it is not uncommon to come across traces of roe deer, badgers or wild boar.

The access, reserved for visitors on foot for naturalistic and study reasons, takes place through authorised entrances such as 'Il Cancellone'. Here begins a slow and silent discovery, suitable for all ages, where the walk becomes an opportunity to closely observe the delicate balance of a coastal environment that is becoming increasingly rare today.

Description

 0h00' 0.00km From the 'gate', take the wide dirt track that leads into the pine forest, keeping to the south. Go past a fountain on the left, useful for refilling water. Continue on an even and well-shaded track, ignoring a diversion to the left and keeping to the right at the entrance to Le Tamerici. Continue straight ahead to the entrance of the arboretum (recommended visit for botanical interest). Nearby, ignore the fork to the left and keep to the right again. Proceed as far as Fosso delle Basse and cross it over a small concrete bridge. Ignore the access to the "Bau Beach" on the right and keep south along the dirt road, which coincides with the route of the Via Francigena a mare, a long-distance itinerary from San Giminiano to Cecina. At the end of the straight stretch, turn right and then immediately left, following the signs for Bibbona. Skirt the fence delimiting the protected area, continuing with slight variations in altitude and glimpses of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Follow the dirt road that curves to the left as far as Fosso delle Tane and, a little further on, Fosso della Madonna. A few slight ups and downs make for a varied walk through the most enchanting stretch of pine forest. Cross another ditch, then continue straight ahead to the final gate, near which there is a second fountain. Turn right along the small access road to the beaches and the La Pineta restaurant, reaching the sea in a few minutes (0m) 1h20' 5.47km .

The return journey is along the same route as the outward journey 1h20' 5.47km .

Points of interest 

• Tomboli di Cecina Reserve
• Cecina
• Bibbona

Collections

• hikes departing from Marina di Cecina - on the map
• hiking in Cecina - on the map
• hiking in Bibbona - on the map
• hiking in the Province of Pisa - on the map
• hikes to protected areas in Tuscany - on the map