Type of route: dirt road, on foot, mountain bike or horseback.
Duration: 3:00/3:30 hours
Length: 8.40 km
Ascent: 565 m; Descent: 225 m
The route starts from the Osteria Nuova, Piazza Fratelli Rosselli (Coord. GPS N 43 ° 43’48 “E 11 ° 20’44”), we cross the country by taking the right hand side of via del Borro di San Giorgio, and we go all the way along the road until we pass the highway. After the bridge, turn left and go down into Borro San Giorgio, near white/red signs then take left again along a shady path which flanks the gully and leads to the “Colonie”. The name recalls the heliotherapeutic colonies organized there during the Fascist era along the banks of the stream. The site, now covered by vegetation and partly occupied by gardens, is still detectable on the right side of the Borro. With a few steps to the left, uphill, you can reach the monument dedicated to the partisans Ivo Lazzeri and Giovanni Mutolo.
After crossing the bridge, the road begins to rise gradually into the shady Montisoni woods. Soon thereafter the old house building Il Colto appears, the narrow road runs along its back and then turns immediately left. For a short distance, we proceed amongst the cultivation surrounding the house, and then reenter into the woods. The trail links up again with the dirt road that connects Montisoni to San Donato in Collina; at the junction turn left, towards San Donato. The old road runs across the hillside between mixed forests and chestnut woods, passes by casa Belvedere, skirts alongside villa Baldasseroni and finally, leads to the intersection where the cemetery of San Donato can be found.
During the walk, we encounter some splendid views that look over the surrounding hills and the village of San Donato. From the cemetery continue turning right towards the villas and go straight towards Il Fico. The road, partly flat, proceeds amongst young chestnut and oak trees. Having reached Il Fico continue for a short distance and then turn right, leaving the crossing for il Faeto. The track climbs up towards Poggio Firenze through oak and chestnut woods immersed in a dense undergrowth. Going upwards, the view extends over again over the Upper Valdarno.
Just before reaching the top of the hill take the path CAI 00 (white/red trail), paying attention to the many existing routes in the area. From here, the route continues dropping quickly to the “Pratone” di Fonte Santa. Turning left on the trail of the old via Maremmana, we reach Rifugio and the Fonte Santa.
