Berignone Crossing

The Berignone Crossing is a trail race in the hills of the Alta Val di Cecina, between Volterra and Pomarance, starting from the hamlet of Mazzolla. Organised by Atletica Volterra, it held its first edition in 2026 with backing from the municipalities of Volterra and Pomarance, the Unione Montana Alta Valdicecina, the Region of Tuscany and the Amici di Mazzolla association. It takes its name from the Berignone forest, a regional nature reserve of about 2,100 hectares created in 1995. The forest belonged to the bishops of Volterra from the 10th century, supplied timber for the city's salt works and later became a Medici hunting reserve until 1775.

The Ultra Trail Berignone, over 52 km with 1,800 m of elevation gain, starts at 7:30 am from the square in Mazzolla. It takes in aid stations at Monte Soldano, at the Castello dei Vescovi, the ruined bishops' castle, at Puretta, at the Casinieri junction by the Sellate stream, and at the junction of the two-castles route before the return to the village. There is a cut-off at kilometre 36 and an overall time limit of ten hours. At the first edition, the winner completed the loop in just over six hours, a sign of a course that rewards consistency more than raw power.

The Berignone Trail, over 32 km with 1,200 m of climbing, starts at 8:30 am and also passes Monte Soldano and the Castello dei Vescovi. The 20 km race, with 800 m of climbing, sets off at 9:30 am and is a good introduction for runners new to trail. A non-competitive 15 km walk with 400 m of climbing completes the programme; it starts after the 20 km race and requires neither a medical certificate nor a club membership. With around 35 to 40 metres of climbing per kilometre, the terrain is rolling and wooded rather than mountainous.

The setting is a lesser-known side of Tuscany, far from the postcard views: forests, deep valleys and wooded ridges, with the geothermal country of Pomarance further south. Volterra, the Etruscan hilltop town, is just a few kilometres from the start and makes a natural extension to the trip.

Bibs are collected in the square in Mazzolla on Saturday in the late afternoon, or on Sunday from 6 am until thirty minutes before each start, when mandatory kit is checked. Depending on the distance, it includes a switched-on mobile phone, a personal cup, at least half a litre of water and some food, plus a survival blanket, a whistle and a windproof jacket for the ultra. The competitive races are open to adults registered with FIDAL or a sports promotion body and holding a medical certificate. A pasta party and the prize-giving round off the day in the early afternoon.