Prato D'era between Via del Sale and Monte Nero

Historic routes into the Era Valley

Those who want to combine historic routes with nature experiences in Prato D'era will find a clear focus along the Via del Sale. The Via del Sale follows an ancient salt road, the Via Volterrana, down into the Era Valley. In the regional surroundings of Prato d’Era, the circular route begins and ends in the historic centre of Volterra. Near Prato d’Era, the Via del Sale route descends to the Mill Valley along a paved medieval road.

Monte Nero and Monte Cornocchio

The landscape along the route changes noticeably. In the area around Prato d’Era, the route passes around the Monte Nero nature reserve with its small waterfalls. Elsewhere, it climbs along an unpaved road through clay hills and offers broad views of the Monte Cornocchio ridge (631 m). If you appreciate varied landscapes when hiking, you can experience waterfalls, clay hills and a mountain ridge all on one route. The surface also varies: the paved medieval road is followed by a section along an unpaved road through the clay hills. This provides a concrete point of reference if you want to plan according to the landscape and trail conditions.

Small structures and evolving settlements

The cultural side of the surrounding area includes Sant’Ottaviano alla Nera, a small stone church with a gabled roof. In the area around Prato d’Era, the route also reaches Pignano. Pignano was initially an old rural castle, later a manor house and subsequently an agricultural estate. The church and this sequence of changes in Pignano appeal to different cultural and historical interests: here, the focus is on a small sacred building, while there it is on the transformation of a rural settlement through several phases of use. If you want to consider not only the landscape but also historical forms and uses, both aspects can be included in your travel plans.

The route to Pian dei Gelsi

On the way to Pian dei Gelsi, the Via del Sale route crosses the Era River and then reaches Pian dei Gelsi.

Horse riding, cuisine and wines

There are also specific offerings in Prato d’Era for a range of interests beyond the historic route. Area52 Park in Prato d’Era offers horse riding excursions. Locanda Prato d’Era is a family-run restaurant serving local specialities and nature-based cuisine. Wines from nearby farms, some of which are organically managed, are served as well.

Bus route 501 and local orientation

Bus route 501 is relevant when planning your journey by public transport. It includes the Volterra–Pian dei Gelsi–Villamagna connection, the Prato D’era section and the Pian dei Gelsi 1 stop. Together with the route across the Era River described above, this provides specific place names to help you find your way around Prato d’Era.

More destinations

More destinations: Villamagna, Saline, Pignano, Mazzolla.

For the main travel overview: Volterra.