Excursion to the Sambuca Hermitage

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A path in the Mediterranean Scrub

Between abandoned sites and breathtaking views

A 9.2 km path to the Sambuca Hermitage through CAI 100 and 100 B trails

Departure from the large square facing the abandoned quarry and nearby clay pigeon shooting structure also abandoned. Once the access barrier is crossed, a climb begins following the CAI 100 on a wide and panoramic forest road that allows you to embrace the entire city of Livorno, the island of Gorgona, and, under the best conditions, Corsica and the Apuan Alps. We pass the Crocione locality with picnic tables and continue to the junction with 100B at an abandoned house, which we leave on our right to continue on CAI 100 on the left downhill. After a few hundred meters, there are remains of an ancient mill on our right, and on the left, climbing some steps where utmost attention must be paid, you can admire the 18th-century ice houses.

Continue on CAI 100 until the ford on Torrente Ugione, after which the path changes slope and becomes narrower and more rugged uphill.

After about 2.7 km from the start, you arrive at the Sambuca Hermitage, a national monument under protection, not visitable inside.

From the Hermitage, continue uphill on a wide and ancient cobblestone path for about 2 km until intersecting with CAI 100B. Staying on this wide forest road surrounded by Mediterranean scrub, we reach another picnic spot, a crossroads of several trails, and from there we continue on 100B until Villa Cristina, a beautiful support structure for Scouts, which we reach at 6.8 km. We continue by reconnecting after about 1 km to CAI 100 at the abandoned house mentioned above, and then descend back to the starting point.

Starting point	Piazzale antistante Cava (abbandonata) “Sales”
Difficulty	E
Km	9,2 km – Sentieri CAI 100 > 100 B
Altitude difference	220 mt
Duration	2h 45’
CAI guide	Importante leggere