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Something about Sasso di Dante

Description

Nice crag of magmatic rock (trachite), on the slope of the Monte Amiata faced to Siena, with a short and comfortable approach (except for few small areas) and routes of various difficulties (from low/medium to hard). The name come from the outline of a rock, that seems like di profile of the Italian famous poet Dante.

In the middle of the cliff, there is an important cave: the Grotta dell’Arciere (named also Grotta del Tesoro), containing a prehistoric paint.

 

The rock is excellent and the cliff is in a wood, thus is almost always in shadow.

The cliff is not high, so the routes are short or of medium length.  The climbing style is various: there are vertical or inclined walls (technical and requiring a lot of footwork), but even buggy overhangs and roofs, and some cracks.

The space under the routes is almost everywhere (but not everywhere!) wide and comfortable, thus good for families with children.



Approach

From Siena, take the SS2 Cassia road toward Rome, then follow the signs to Abbadia San Salvatore. Once at Abbadia San Salvatore, follow the signs to Vetta Amiata (Amiata Peak).

From Grosseto, take the Siena/Grosseto SS223 road, and exit at Paganico direction Monte Amiata / Castel del Piano. The continue following the signs to  Vetta Amiata (Amiata Peak). Once at the Prato delle Macinaie follow the signs to Cantore, them, before Cantore, follow the signs to Abbadia San Salvatore.

From Rome, take the A1 highway direction Firenze, and exit at Chiusi or Orvieto, then follow the signs to Monte Amiata/Abbadia San Salvatore