Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(SS 223; adult/reduced €4/2; 8.30am-7pm May-Aug, to 6.30pm Mar, Apr, Sep & Oct, to 5.30pm Nov-
Feb)
Less than 7km northeast of Grosseto's
centro storico,
Roselle (Rusellae) was a
middle-ranking Etruscan town populated as early as the 7th century BC. It came under
Roman control in the 3rd century BC. Although there are no great monuments left stand-
ing, the site retains its Roman defensive walls, an oddly elliptical amphitheatre, traces of
houses, the forum and streets.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Parco Regionale della Maremma
This spectacular
regional park
(
www.parco-maremma.it
; adult/reduced €10/5, mountain bike hire per
day €15)
incorporates the Uccellina mountain range, a 600-hectare pine forest, marshy
plains and a 20km stretch of unspoiled coastline. The main
visitor centre
( 05 6440 7098;
Via del Bersagliere 7-9; 8.30am-6pm mid-Jun-mid-Sep, 8.30am-5pm mid-Sep-mid-Nov, 8.30am-2pm
mid-Nov-mid-Jun)
is in Alberese, on the park's northern edge. A smaller
visitor centre
( 05
6488 7173; Via Nizza 12; 9am-noon & 3-5pm Jul & Aug)
adjoins the
Talamone Aquarium
at the
park's southern extremity (the aquarium showcases the local lagoon environment and
works to protect local turtles).
Park access is limited to 13 signed walking trails, varying in length from 2.5km to
13km; the most popular is A2 ('Le Torri'), a 5.8km walk to the beach. The entry fee is
paid at the visitor centres and there's a park- operated bus that can transport you from the
Alberese visitor centre to your chosen route. From 15 June to 15 September the park can
only be visited on a guided tour due to possible bushfire threat. At the time of research
these tours were being conducted regularly in Italian, as well as in German (on Wednes-
days from mid-June to mid- September at 4pm), but it is wise to call ahead to check tour
language and time.
As well as the walking trails, there are four guided mountain-bike tours (€10 to €15
plus bike hire, two to six hours) and a guided 2½-hour canoe tour (adult/child €16/10);
book these at the Alberese visitor centre. A number of private operators offer horse and
pony treks through the park - contact
Il Gelsomino
( 347 774 64 76;
www.ilgelsomino.com
; Via
Strada del Barbicato 4, Alberese)
or
Circolo Ippico Uccellina
( 334 979 71 81;
www.circoloippicouccellina.it
; Località Collecchio 38, Magliano in Toscana)
; both offer accommoda-
tion and horse-riding treks and lessons.
