Just a few kilometers from the Terme Marine Leopoldo II lies one of Italy’s most extraordinary regions. An island of Mediterranean nature overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. We’re talking about the Maremma Natural Park, also known as the Uccellina Park, because its main area encompasses the Uccellina Mountains in the province of Grosseto.
The park stretches for 25 km along the stretch of coastline between Principina a Mare and Talamone, just a few minutes from Marina di Grosseto and is a protected area where the landscape changes constantly: pine forests, hills, Mediterranean scrub, wetlands and pristine beaches.
It’s the perfect place to spend half a day or a full day away from traffic and stress, immersed in a landscape that surprises you at every turn.
What Can Be Done
The park is ideal for those who love to be active: you can choose from several hiking trails. The most famous is the trail tothe Abbey of San Rabano, which winds through the downy oak forests of the Monti dell’Uccellina.
Cycling enthusiasts can choose from a wide variety of bike tours, such as the bike path from Alberese to Marina di Alberese, which is one of the park’s most beautiful experiences: flat, shaded, and offering a good chance of spotting foxes, fallow deer, herons and Maremma cows along the way.
The park also offers visitors guided tours, some of which provide opportunities to spot animals such as fallow deer, foxes and Maremma cattle. Each route has different difficulty levels, so you can tailor the experience based on the time and energy you want to devote to it.
The Beaches
The park is home to some of the wildest and most unspoiled beaches in all of Tuscany. There are no umbrellas, kiosks, or lounge chairs. Nothing but sand, water and a pine forest.
The most famous is Collelungo Beach, with its tall dunes and bleached tree trunks washed ashore by the currents—so much so that it has earned the nickname “tree graveyard.” Further south, accessible only on foot, lies Cala di Forno, a small rocky cove nestled between cliffs and Mediterranean scrub. Marina di Alberese, on the other hand, is the easiest beach to reach—even by car—yet it still retains a wild, untamed feel thanks to the natural setting that surrounds it.
Some useful tips
Check in advance for access points and trails, as some areas are restricted to protect the environment. Bring comfortable shoes, water and sunscreen: most of the trails are exposed. If you’re traveling during peak season, consider arriving early in the morning.
Visiting the Uccellina Park means discovering the most authentic side of the Maremma: less developed, more genuine. An experience you should definitely try at least once during your stay, especially if you want to take home more than just a simple beach vacation.
