The Microclimates of Val d’Orcia

(and why everything changes at the Tuscany Crossing)
Val d’Orcia doesn’t have just one climate.
It has many.
In just a few kilometers, conditions change completely.
And at the Tuscany Crossing… you can feel it.

Temperatures
In mid-April, conditions are generally ideal for an ultra in Val d’Orcia
•    Morning and night: cool, even cold (0–8°C)
•    Midday: mild temperatures (15–20°C)
The real characteristic: instability
The weather during the Tuscany Crossing is not extreme.
It’s variable.
You won’t find perfect, consistent conditions throughout the race.
You’ll encounter changes.

Valley bottoms: damp and treacherous
In low-lying areas, near waterways or valleys:
•    cooler and more humid air
•    possible fog at dawn
•    soil that retains water when it rains

Ridges: wind and full exposure
As you climb the ridges, everything changes:
•    more wind
•    greater temperature range
•    direct exposure to the sun or the cold

Forested areas: shelter and humidity
In areas with vegetation:
•    less wind
•    more stable temperature
•    but higher humidity and risk of slippery ground

Dirt roads: the game-changer
The Val d’Orcia is made up of dirt roads.
•    In dry conditions: fast and runnable
•    In the rain: mud, unstable traction, high energy expenditure

The real issue
It’s not the general weather. It’s that it’s constantly changing.
•    cold → hot
•    dry → humid
•    sheltered → exposed
👉 on the same day, in the same race

Mandatory gear: it’s not bureaucracy
Here comes the most important point.
The mandatory gear is not a formal list.
It is a concrete response to the microclimates of the Val d’Orcia.
Every item is essential because:
•    the waterproof jacket for wind and sudden rain, sudden drops in temperature
•    the thermal layer is needed when you go from sunny to cold in just a few kilometers 
•    a hat or gloves can make all the difference at night 
•    water (1 liter) and food supplies are essential given the distance between aid stations 
•    Thermal blanket if you get cold or lose body heat
•    Whistle for isolated stretches—make sure you can be found
•    Headlamp if you’ll be out at night 
•    Keep your phone on—   s for safety, communication, and emergencies
👉 Here, the weather changes faster than you think.
👉 And when it changes… you have to be ready immediately.
Anyone who sees it as a burden is wrong.
Those who use it well save their race.

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What does this mean for the Tuscany Crossing?
It means that being physically prepared isn’t enough.
You need:
•    constant adaptation
•    smart management
•    respect for the environment
Because here you don’t run “against” the course.
You run within a living environment
 

In summary
The Val d’Orcia is not uniform.
It’s dynamic.
And at the Tuscany Crossing, this boils down to one thing:  it’s not enough to run well; you have to know how to read your surroundings