What are the Vie Cave?

The Vie Cave are paths carved into tuff, a volcanic rock, around Pitigliano, Sovana and Sorano, in Maremma. Their walls can exceed 20 meters and some stretches approach a kilometer. They are often attributed to the Etruscans, who are said to have used them to connect villages and necropolises, but their exact function is not certain: some paths have also been reworked or used in more recent times.

You can walk through them: they are narrow trenches, sometimes shaded by vegetation, which give a very different impression from the open trails nearby. Several routes lead to archaeological sites or neighboring villages, but the duration depends on the chosen route. The ground can be uneven and slippery, especially after rain; wear shoes with good grip. If you want to see some without organizing a long hike, some paths are located near the access points around Pitigliano and Sovana.