The oasis, is a reserve (Area Naturale Protetta - Anpil) created by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests for the protection of fauna in the municipality of Firenzuola. It extends roughly 650 hectares between the Raticosa and Futa Passes coasting regional road 65 and the localities of Traversa, Covigliaio and Pietramala, is mostly woodland with heights that reach from 850 to 1200 metres and includes Sasso di Castro and Monte Beni, one of the most important ophiolitic masses in Tuscany.
The vegetation is composed of beech, turkey oak, and conifer woods. Species such as the mouflon, brought to the land in 1975 and now a symbol of the oasis, the Apuan newt, the crested newt, the buzzard, the peregrine falcon and the honey buzzard, the eagle owl and the golden eagle, occupy the territory. Also present are: roe deer, wild boar, fox, stone marten, badger, and hare. The Apennines wolf has also returned to the area.

We suggest four itineraries:
1) Faggiotto - Boschetto - Sasso di Castro - Fontanina dell’Amore - Fonte ai Prati - Boschetto Faggiotto
Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
2) Covigliaio (Piana) - Pianore - Monte Beni - Covigliaio
Time: 2 hours
3) Mazzetta - Poggio Turchino - Monte Freddi - Fonte ai Prati - Pianore - Fabbrica - Mazzetta

Time: 2 hours 40 minutes

4) Covigliaio (Chiesa) - Fonte ai Prati - Pianore - Covigliaio (Chiesa)
Time: 1 hour 55 minutes