Piombino in October - Cala Violino and Bandite di Scarlino

The area of Bandite di Scarlino has a variety of hikes and they seem to be well signposted but this is our last week by the sea before returning to the mountains so we stick to the most popular walk which is along the coast from Pontoni to Cala Violino. We don't get off to a particularly early start plus we stop at the Pam supermarket for another couple of tasty focaccia plus porchetta sandwiches so we start walking at about quarter past ten. It's a very easy and pleasant stroll. The path is actually a dirt lane, closed to traffic but there are quite a few cyclists, some with electric bikes, and just a few other walkers. There are fine views of the sea and the coast but the Mediterranean undergrowth is very dry after months without rain.

We deviate from the path to go down to Cala Martina, where there's the statue to Garibaldi on the left. The little bay is quite narrow and stony. It's probably less than an hour's walk to arrive at Cala Violino and once again there are quite a few people so we decide to carry on to Cala Civetta. A good idea! It's really beautiful, transparent water which is only knee high for quite a way out, I can't resist at least paddling despite the fact that it's the end of October. The first impact with the water seems icy but it's too beautiful, I walk up and down looking at the ripples of light reflecting in the real ripples.

There's nobody else. As we are eating our focaccia another couple arrive but the beach is long. The sun is warm and the sea is blue and it's delightful. We linger quite a while. It may not be quite the weather for swimming but it's certainly warm enough for a leisurely picnic and rest on the beach. We walk back at about two, trying to remember to slow down when our pace picks up.

After, we drive to Parco Sterpaia to wait for the sunset, but there are some clouds, although Torre Mozza is always scenographic.