Scalvaia: Nature, Trails and History

In Scalvaia, different themes come together to help you plan your trip: the Canaloni del Farma and several hiking trails lead through a landscape of river and rock, while a monument and a church offer historical points of interest. Palla a 21, an old ball game, is also part of local tradition. If you are looking for a hotel in Scalvaia, you can first decide whether nature, trails, history or the local game should shape your stay.

The Canaloni del Farma and its trails

The Canaloni are about a 40-minute walk from Scalvaia. Small waterfalls and natural pools shape the landscape along the Farma River. They were formed by rock ledges shaped by the current. At the Canaloni, water, rock and the course of the river take centre stage. The walking time is approximate; also check local trail conditions before setting out.

The RSMF5 hiking trail runs from Scalvaia to the Farma and on to the Canaloni del Farma and Ferriera di Ruota. It is 6.49 km long, with 136 metres of ascent and 339 metres of descent. Its length, ascent and descent give you specific details for planning your day. The named destinations also distinguish this trail from other routes in the area.

Another hiking trail connects Iesa Carrotto and Scalvaia via the summit of Monte Quoio. Numerous turnoffs lead to trails along the Farma and on Monte Quoio. This route focuses on the connection over the summit and its branching paths; the RSMF5, by contrast, follows a route towards the Farma and leads to the Canaloni and Ferriera di Ruota. These differences help you distinguish the routes by their stated starting points and landmarks.

Places of remembrance and history

The Monumento ai martiri di Scalvaia commemorates partisans who were killed on Monte Quoio, near Scalvaia, on 11 March 1944. The names of 16 partisans from Monte Quoio who fell victim to fascist violence are engraved on the monument’s base. The inscription and commemoration of the date give the area’s history a concrete connection to the events on Monte Quoio.

Another historic point of interest is the Church of San Giovanni Decollato in Scalvaia, which is mentioned in a will from 1248. The documented history of the area therefore reaches far back. Together with the monument, the church offers a different perspective on a stay than the river landscape and hiking trails: here, the focus is on historical sites.

The landscape at Poggio al Carpino is also linked to the history of the resistance. A turnoff from trail Q1 leads through a chestnut forest where 19 young men who refused compulsory military service were captured; some of them were shot by fascists in March 1944. The turnoff described here and the monument in Scalvaia are different historical points of interest, each referring to its own places and events.

A local tradition

Palla a 21, also known as Palla eh!, is an old ball game that is still played regularly in Scalvaia. If you would like to experience the game during your stay, check the event date before your trip. This lets you make the tradition a focus of your plans without confusing it with the hiking trails or historic sites.

These different highlights can help guide your choice of hotel in Scalvaia: the Canaloni and trails along the Farma, routes over Monte Quoio, the area’s history or Palla a 21. Route details and historic sites address different aspects of your trip planning, while the local ball-game tradition offers another connection to life in Scalvaia.

Discover more destinations: Castellina In Chianti, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Piancastagnaio, Abbadia San Salvatore, Radda / Chianti, Piazze, Chiusi, Isola D'arbia.

For the main travel overview: Siena.