Bandite di Scarlino natural reserve offers pristine Tuscan coastline

The Bandite di Scarlino natural reserve in Tuscany, located within the Maremma region, offers a preserved coastal landscape spanning the municipalities of Scarlino, Castiglione della Pescaia, Follonica, and Gavorrano. The area is characterized by its lack of direct road access, meaning the beaches can only be reached by foot, bicycle, or horse through pine forests and Mediterranean scrub.

Key locations within the reserve include Cala Violina, Cala Martina, and Cala Civette. Cala Violina is noted for its fine quartz sand that produces a violin-like sound when walked upon. Due to its delicate ecosystem, access to Cala Violina is regulated via a reservation system from early June to mid-September.

The region holds significant historical value, with evidence of human settlement dating back to the Etruscan era. Notably, Cala Martina served as the departure point for Giuseppe Garibaldi in 1849 during his escape toward Genoa.