We depart from Chianciano, an important thermal center full of all services for physical well-being, known for the saying "Chianciano, fegato sano" (“Chianciano, healthy liver”), in the direction of Chiusi, city of the legendary Etruscan king Porsenna. If we believe, we can join those who are always searching for his gold by going down into the underground tunnels of the city or, more simply, visit the tomb of the Monkey. In any case, it is necessary to be equipped well to face the following stages leading to the Paleolithic heights.

The stage leading to Cetona is short and certainly not difficult. At the Civic Museum, you can learn about the fascinating history of the mountain above, which we will get to know, first from afar and soon up close.

From Cetona, we cycle towards San Casciano Bagni (570 metres above sea level) where a huge quantity of hot, sulphurous water flows from 42 springs. First the Etruscans and then the Romans, with Emperor Octavian Augustus, benefited from its healthful properties. The journey is almost halfway there: take advantage of it.

This stage is short but particularly challenging as we have to overcome the Monte Cetona pass, located at 794 meters of altitude and reachable via a magnificent road with double-digit slopes. The descent to Sarteano, after leaving the extraordinary Paleolithic caves of the archeodrome, is equally beautiful and leads once again to thermal waters at the GATE in Sarteano.

From Sarteano, we descend and then climb again, heading towards Chianciano, which is however only skimmed to proceed in the direction of the Pietraporciana Nature Reserve and its twin reserve Lucciola Bella from where, finally, we meet a plain up to the crossroads for Monticchiello, the authentic village of the Teatro Povero.

Climbing up to the village and then continuing along the lonely and wooded road towards Poggio Oppio and Poggio Piano is not at all simple, but a slow and shrewd pace, accompanied by panoramic stops, can be a great solution. The Sant'Albino springs are the last one you'll find before returning to Chianciano and making a healthy stop at the Sensory Baths, perhaps after trying a good plate of pici.