Monte Giovi (992 m) can be easily accessed from any side. The ascent from the South will be particularly recommended during the winter, whereas during the other seasons both the northern (via Cisto di Vicchio) and eastern (via Celle di Dicomano) ascents are feasible.

1. The quickest ascent
If you are short of time (say, only half a day), you can drive up to the hamlet of Tamburino. We’ll exactly explain how to reach Tamburino by car later, but from the national road 67 (S.S. 67), at Scopeti, drive under the railway bridge, cross a bridge over the river Sieve and head towards the hamlet of Colognole. The road is tarred up to an altitude of about 500 meters, just past Vicoferaldi, but the last three kilometres are bumpy and untarred.
At Tamburino, 804 m above sea-level, park the car and proceed on foot along the forestry road to meet the waymarks of path CAI 00 that steeply climbs up along the ridge of the mountain. After reaching the Chapel of St. Giusto, today abandoned, the same path leads us up to the summit.
Centuries old chestnut trees in the open fields around Tamburino.

2. The circuit around the summit
With just some more time at your disposal, we recommend to complete the above described Itinerary 1, with the descent westwards, following path CAI 00 for a short kilometre, when path CAI 10 branches out to your right. Turn right onto this path and follow it along the northern mountainside to reach an open area named “Fonte alla Capra”; here a memorial stone commemorates the location of what during WW2 was an important guerrilla base against the Nazis. A short walk will lead to Tamburino along a forestry road.

3. The ascent from the South-West
Two footpaths, CAI 6 and CAI 7, reach the summit of Mount Giovi from the villages of S. Brigida (390m) and Galiga (500 m) respectively.
From S. Brigida, you first have to reach Doccia, which is served by SITA coaches.
On the contrary, Galiga can be reached only by car, via Sieci, Molino del Piano and Doccia.

4. The ascent from the South-East
The village of Acone (477 m) is the community with the deepest ties to Mount Giovi. Acone is linked to Rufina and Montebonello by a 7 km long panoramic road. The ascent to Monte Giovi follows path CAI 00 along an old itinerary once used by shepherds. In summertime the ascent from this side of the mountain is not recommended, whereas in winter north-eastern winds represent a major hurdle.
An excellent alternative route, for fit walkers, starts out from the river Sieve, at Scopeti, where path CAI 00 begins. From here (130 m), the ascent to Acone is along a shady valley.

5. The ascent from Dicomano
A pretty long path, waymarked CAI 15 and CAI 12 in the last section, links Dicomano (164 m) or Celle (213 m) to the summit of Monte Giovi. The path leads to Tamburino and from there the ascent to the summit has already been described in Itinerary 1.
This is an ideal crossing itinerary, as you can get back to Dicomano (railway station or bus services) using one of the following options (i.e., if you start from Dicomano, there is no need to walk back along the same way):

• Scopeti (bus station at the junction with S.S. 67 and railway station in the industrial zone)
  -> Path CAI 00 through Acone

• S. Brigida (bus stop)
  -> Path CAI 6 or others within the Protected Natural Area

• “Passo delle Croci dell’Alberaccio” (bus stop)
  -> Path CAI 00

6. The ascent from Barbiana
Follow path CAI 11 (initially along a road), that branches out at Fosso di Baldracca (216 m) towards Padulio (411 m). Past Padulio, take path CAI 11A which leads to the hamlet of Barbiana (417 m).
In the small graveyard next to the church, is the grave of don Lorenzo Milani (pedagogist).
Path CAI 11A continues uphill towards the ruins of a medieval castle (541 m) and through open fields (Prati delle Casacce). Take path 11B leading, through valuable chestnut trees, to Tamburino (804 m) and from here up to the summit.
The recommended return is along the ridge on path CAI 12, past S. Martino a Scopeto and from there along the paved road back to the starting point.