Orrido di Botri Nature Reserve
A vast and beautiful land in the Tuscan hills
The Orrido di Botri Nature Reserve, a protected area in Italy, is known for its peculiar karst formations and scenic views. The reserve has two distinct areas: the Orrido di Botri Canyon and the Pruno Forest. It is located in the province of Siena, in the heart of Tuscany.
The area of admirable natural beauty
Orrido is an Italian word meaning "ravine". This spectacular area has been carefully preserved by the Forestry Corps. They work hard to protect it from encroachment and environmental damage. The gorge is home to many rare species of plants, including boxwood and chestnut trees and many rare species of birds.
Especially great for hiking
Orrido di Botri is a popular destination among hikers, cyclists and nature lovers.
The reserve lies on one of the hiking routes that follow the Via Francigena, or pilgrims' route, which leads from Canterbury to Rome.
There are several walking trails through the reserve, with different difficulty levels. The park offers educational activities for children such as cooking classes using products harvested from nature, workshops for creating crafts from natural materials found there, or simply a day out hiking through nature. Walking routes take you through the woodland and along the river, where you might spot crabs, eels, lampreys and fish. You can walk across a bridge to get a close-up view of the waterfalls, pools and rock formations made by the torrential waters that flow through the gorge during heavy rainfall. The area has some great picnic spots too.
The Orrido gorge itself is truly spectacular. You can visit the reserve all year round. You can also walk through it – even with children – or explore it on horseback or on mountain bikes, which are available for hire.
