4 places where you can admire the foliage in Valdichiana Senese

The nuances of Valdichiana Senese

When we think of autumn, we always imagine landscapes and long colorful stretches. Yellow, red, orange and brown, these are the chromatic nuances that characterize the autumn season in Valdichiana Senese making it an even more special place. In recent years, admiring foliage, that’s the chosen term to indicate the phenomenon of leaf mutation, has become a real trend, as well as an excellent opportunity to stay in contact with nature. Here's a selection of places where you can contemplate the foliage in this precious corner of Tuscany.

The natural area of Monte Cetona: a little bit of Canada in Valdichiana Senese

Canada is said to be one of the most sought-after destinations for admiring foliage. But what do Canada and Mount Cetona have in common? The maple woods, of course. Located between Valdichiana and Val d'Orcia, the Natural Area of Monte Cetona extends for 1604 hectares boasting a truly surprising and rich flora. Maples, beeches, acacias and blackthorns are just some of the many plant species that populate the site and that during the autumn season, make this place more magical and colorful.

The Pietraporciana Nature Reserve and its extraordinary beech

Between Chianciano Terme and Sarteano stands the wonderful Natural Reserve of Pietraporciana, the site of about 341 hectares that since 1996 is one of the protected nature reserves of the province of Siena. Surrounded by woods and the typical landscape that characterizes this part of Tuscany, Pietraporciana is known for its unusual beech. In fact, the beech rises at a quite unusual height for the type of tree that it is, a detail that makes it unique in its genre, especially in autumn, when the copper color of the leaves creates many suggestions to the sunlight.

Eremo della Maddalena Wood: between spirituality and nature

In the heart of Montepulciano lies the precious Eremo della Maddalena. For centuries a place of worship and hermitage, today the Eremo also boasts an excellent tourist resonance, both for the tranquility that you can breathe on the hill, and for the beautiful nature that surrounds it. The religious complex is in fact set in a real forest that during the autumn sees its tree species explode in a riot of colors, allowing visitors to fully reconnect with their soul.

Il Tondo Park in Montefollonico: where beauty and creativity meet

On a hill of karst origin, in the small village of Montefollonico, “Il Tondo” is a strange circular-shaped park created between 1820 and 1830 by Marco Landucci, a rich landowner who had it built for his wife. Apart from being a curious place, the park is a real balcony overlooking Valdichiana and Val D'Orcia, an oasis of beauty that in the period of foliage reaches its highest potential.