This nature reserve, opened in 1996, is one of the most important environmental sites of the area. It extends for 1500 metres in the two municipalities of Roccastrada and Monticiano, on the border between the province of Siena and that of Grosseto. The Reserve is characterised by massive forest coverage, at the centre of which is the Farma and the castle of Belagaio, seat of a nature reserve of animal population. The course of the Farma ensures that the two slopes of the valley are exposed, one to the north and one to the south, which together with the special environmental conditions, allow typical elements of the Mediterranean scrub to co-exist such as the holm oak, strawberry tree, cork oak, mastic, heather, rock roses, next to forests characteristic of colder climates, typical at times of regions of Central Europe formed by chestnuts, oaks and hornbeams, with the corresponding underwood of holly, fern and moss.
