For those who would like just a day's riding, particularly families who come for a week-end on Monte Amiata, we have several suggestions for exursions.
Some tours' ideas:
a. Monte Labbro 4 hours.
We leave the stables and go along a path past Merigar, the Tibetan Dzog Chen centre, past the Wildlife park and into rocky territory to reach the almost bluish limestone of Monte Labbro: a harsh, unspoilt and very beautiful place. The fields of the slopes on the mountain give way to an arid stony landscape almost like a moonscape.Landscape of this sort covers the south west of Amiata, including Monte Labbro where the summit is 1193m. above sea level. Its bizarre shape like a cone, was once home to David Lazzaretti, and from there, on a clear day you can look down to the sea.
b. Nature and History - 4 hours.
A ride along paths through chestnut woods to visit places of interest: “la Fonte dell’Acqua Bona” (a fresh water spring), ‘il lanificio ottocentesco” (a nineteenth century woollen weaving mill), an “opificio” (an old workshop). Then we follow parts of the so called chestnut way running through country belonging to Arcidosso and Castel del Piano.
c. The Beech Woods - 4 hours
At first we ride through an area of natural reforestation by silver pine, and then reach the beech woods between Poggio Lombardo and Poggio Trauzzolo 1200m above sea level. Here the path broadens out (the track is marked by the usual red and white signs indicating that it is part of the path that encircles the mountain) and climbs up among grey granite-like rocks, to reach “Il Gatto D’Oro” (The Golden Cat).Along the way you can see many typical indigenous plants, animals and birds, such as wild raspberries and strawberries, white anemones and wild orchids; jays and green woodpeckers are among the most common birds, but there are also falcons and buzzards. Among the various animal tracks it is easy to pick out those of wild deer, wild boar and notice the squirrels as they whisk away.
d. Monte Aquilaia - 4 hours
Leaving the stables we go along the slopes of Monte Labbro and on to Monte Aquilaia and up to the top. This wonderful ride flanks the wildlife park on the one hand and the Piscinello and Rocconi nature reserves on the other thus it is easy to spot some of the many birds of prey living in this area such as: buzzards, the Egyptian vulture, hen harriers, kestrels, sparrow hawks, peregrine falcons, the short-toed eagle and the rare Lanner falcon. At this point we turn towards Monticello Amiata going along a path with wonderful views. On a clear day you can see the Maremma coast with Giglio, Monte Argentario, Le Formiche di Grosseto and Elba beyond.Then the path turns towards Montelaterone and climbs again back to the stables. In the latter part of this trip you can clearly see the valley with all the villages on its slopes: Seggiano, Castel del Piano, Montelaterone, Montegiovi and the hills on Siena’s doorstep in the distance.
e. Towards Prato delle Macinaie - 8 hours
This ride takes all day. We join the path with encircles the mountain through the chestnut woods, and then on towards Poggio Bielo (1303 m.) which we reach after riding through an extensive area of conifers and reforestation. There is no actual path up to the summit, but we leave the reforestation area and go into beech woods. From the top there is a wide view, from Monte Labbro down to the valleys of the rivers Fiora and Albegna and on tothe Tyrrhenian sea and La Montagnola (1571m). After Poggio Bielo our route runs through beech woods as far as Pozzo di Catana (1150m) and then the Madonna del Camicione (1200m) and continues on through beech woods until we reach Prato delle Macinaie (1385m). Here we stop for lunch and then leave to ride back to the stables, along a track which first goes down towards Castel del Piano and then goes to Arcidosso. As in other parts of the ride, there are unforgettable glimpses of the countryside and the sea from here.
Our Equestrian Guides:
Ivan Lazzeroni has owned the Ambassador stables for over 15 years, and is also a farmer.His initial interest in horses came through breeding them, an enthusiasm he later passed on to others.He did his military service in the Savoy Cavalry specializing in Show Jumping, and also acquiring the basic principles involved in shoeing horses.Later shoeing became his real interest so much so that he now has a smithy at the stables and shoes his own horses. He is also a fully qualified guide and riding instructor with the F.I.S.E (Federazione Italiana degli Sport Equestri).He continues breeding and breaking in horses. During the winter he also works as a skiing instructor.
Giiulia Pomoni has always helped Ivan. She loved horses even before she worked with them: she is not only extremely professional, but very willing as well and is particularly good with children. Indeed besides teaching many children in the neighbourhood to ride she has also worked with groups organized at national level such as Cral ENI and BOOGAN, and at holiday camps run by municipal corporations and the “Comunità Montana”. Besides teaching the youngest pupils, she helps Ivan break in the foals and takes out groups for treks. In the winter months Giulia teaches in the elementary school