Mountain Bike, Hiking, Wellness treatments
...and for boys aged 4-14 an afternoon with pony- horses.
Marisa Olivero is a F.I.S.E. federal instructor and a first level pony-horse team-leader. She lives in a farmhouse, named Santa Elena, between Volterra and Pomarance, and she has always been working with children. It’s possible to join her and spend a pleasant afternoon with her horses.
Our guests and their children are welcome to the farmhouse Santa Elena
where is possible to have an afternoon snack or an evening dinner: Marisa
Olivero leads her farm through organic and biodynamic agricultural systems.
Marisa is also fond of flowers; these pictures were taken in her farmhouse during the second week of June.
The excursions on foot from the program "toscana fuori sentiero"
1.The Nera Falls and the ofiolithic rocks of Montenero Nature Reserve (located in the neighbouring area of Volterra).
Available tracks: from 5 Km to 10 Km.
Difficulty level: from "Touring" (easy, suitable for anybody) to "Excursionistic"
(medium difficulty).
Rendez-vous place: Prato d’Era (Km 13 S.R. 439) at the fork for Cozzano.
This excursion will take place in the middle of the Meditterranean scrub,
among rocky slopes decked with wild roses, and impressive waterfalls
where crabs still live.
The breathtaking panoramic view over Volterra and the Era Valley will
make your way even more enjoyable.
2.Colle Val d’Elsa and the Elsa River Park (in the neighbouring area of Colle Val d’Elsa).
Available Tracks: from 4 Km to 8 Km
Difficulty Level: from "Touring" (easy, dedicated to anybody) to "Excursionistic" (medium difficulty).
Rendez-vous place: Colle Val d’Elsa, Porta Nuova, Km 64 S.R. 68.
The guided visit to the historical center of the town will take you back to the Middle-Ages, while along the Elsa River ponds, you will be plunged into the authenticity of a luxuriant landscape where the Martin Pescatore still dives into the showering waterfalls of this charming place where ruins of mills and old paper factories are preserved as yet.
ON DEMAND ONLY: just to make your way a more interesting one, you will have the chance to visit a 16th century old mill and an organic stock farm where pigs and the famed Cinta Senese are bred in their natural state.
3.The Serpentines of Monterufoli Nature Park and the old mines
of the Linari Valley (in the neighbouring areas of Pomarance and Montacatini
Val di Cecina).
Track lenght: 8 Km
Difficulty level: "Excursionistic" (i.e. medium).
Rendez-vous place: Libbiano (Pomarance).
The above mentioned trail will lead you through rough and unhospitable serpentine rocks, among dwarf shrubs and rare wildlife species, till the damp northern slopes of the Linari Stream Valley, a region forested by hollies and bay oaks where the remnants of an ancient copper mining activity are still preserved.
4.The Ritasso Valley and the Railway of Monterufoli Nature Riserve (in the neighbouring areas of Pomarance and Montecatini Val di Cecina).
Track lenght: 7 Km
Difficulty level: "Excursionistic" (medium difficulty).
Rendez-vous place: Casino di Terra, Km 15 S.R 68 (Guardistallo, Pi).
Built into a breathtaking gorge hollowed by the crystal waters of the Ritasso Stream, this old railway will lead you through one of the most magnificent areas of the Monterufoli-Caselli Nature Reserve.
Surrounded by secular holm-oaks where harrier eagles still build their nest, you will walk along the stream banks enjoying the authenticity and the pleasantness of this peaceful place.
Further wellness treatments
Guests at La Schezza may receive a range of wellness treatments at reduced price thanks to a special agreement with "San Martino Wellness Center", a restorative spa located 18 Km away from our farmhouse.
