Mount Amiata

Start in the centre of Abbadia San Salvatore (Via Roma, 822 m), pass the abbey and walk up the Strada Vetta Amiata past the Mining Museum to a junction at about 900 m, where Via Federico Hamman leads left past a small lake to the end of the asphalt (930 m, 30 minutes). A dirt road continues into the forest to Podere Cipriana (1,050 m), surrounded by large firs (45 minutes). Just beyond, at 1,060 m, turn right on the Sentiero del Capomacchia, which climbs a steep ramp known as the 'Scala Santa' to the ruins of the Capanna del Capomacchia (1,260 m) and on through beech forest to the paved road from Prato della Contessa (about 1,560 m, 1½ hours). Go right to the junction with the Abbadia road and the Piscina marsh, then take the Scalettaia path, which runs alongside a Via Crucis, leaving the Corno di Bellaria loop on the left. Steep zigzags lead to the big volcanic boulders of the summit (1,738 m, 45 minutes), crowned by the Madonna degli Scout statue. A few minutes away stands the iron summit cross of 1910, with a bar-restaurant and a terrace; antennas and ski lifts share the summit area. Descend past the cross to the car park at the end of the summit road (1,669 m, 15 minutes), where a bus runs back to Abbadia in season (check timetables), or walk back by the ascent route via the Piscina (2½–2¾ hours). Waymarks are white and red, but signage on the mountain is confusing, with paths from about ten different networks; a map or GPS track helps. A shorter alternative starts at Prato delle Macinaie (1,370 m) on the west side: about 410 m of ascent and 3–3½ hours for a loop over the summit and Prato della Contessa.