Alberese – Nature, Trails and Culture in the Parco della Maremma

Alberese lies in the heart of the Parco della Maremma and brings together expansive landscapes, historic sites and a variety of trails in a compact area. Maremma horses and cattle roam freely across the meadows, supervised by butteri cowboys. At the same time, the modern settlement consists of a few houses between the 15th-century Villa Granducale and the Church of Santa Maria. In Alberese, you can therefore experience both the open landscape of the Maremma and prominent reminders of the area's history.

Hiking trails between olive groves and the coast

One particularly varied route is the short A1b San Rabano hike. It starts in Alberese and leads through a large olive grove to the ruins of the San Rabano Abbey. The route also includes two viewpoints facing north and south respectively, offering views across the entire coastline of this part of Tuscany. San Rabano was an 11th-century religious centre built by Benedictines of the Cassinese Order in the Lombard-Romanesque style. You need an entrance ticket for the trails in the Parco della Maremma; you can get one at the Alberese visitor centre or online. The A5 Itinerario forestale is a short walking trail where you can discover various forms of Mediterranean woodland. The path passes through an abandoned old olive grove where fallow deer can be observed. The Boschetto del Lasco offers a different landscape: this wooded pasture lies at the foot of the Uccellina Mountains. Wildlife seeks shelter among the large holm oaks, cork oaks and downy oaks. The Boschetto del Lasco riding route leads through the flat pastures around Alberese to this small woodland and is also suitable for inexperienced riders.

Cycling and watery landscapes

For a longer bike ride, the A11 Strada degli Ulivi is an excellent choice. The 13.1-kilometre route runs at an easy level of difficulty from Alberese to Collelungo Beach. It follows a paved road closed to traffic and crosses the Uccellina area. Route A7 follows the cycle path to Marina di Alberese and then continues to the mouth of the Ombrone River. Herons, kingfishers and European pond turtles can be observed on the calm waters towards the river mouth. A bus connects Alberese with Marina di Alberese beach and stops at the visitor centre of the Parco Regionale della Maremma. For a different perspective on the landscape, horse-drawn carriage rides are available in the Parco della Maremma. They are accompanied by a nature guide; both carriage rides start in Spergolaia, near Alberese.

Local history and events

The Church of Santa Maria was built in 1956 in the Neo-Romanesque style. In Alberese, you can enjoy numerous historical, cultural and nature-related activities throughout the year. In summer, entertainment events take place at the Granaio Lorenese. This allows you to shape a stay around trails, wildlife observation, coastal landscapes and local history, without limiting Alberese to just one type of outing. Other destinations you can discover include Batignano, Marina Di Grosseto, Braccagni, Montepescali, Principina A Mare, Bagno Roselle, La Principina and Poggio Cavallo.

For the higher-level travel overview: Grosseto.