Cycling tourism enthusiasts just cannot afford to miss the strong emotion of bike riding in Tuscany along the beautiful rolling hills of the Chianti and the Val d’Elsa area, where the body and soul regenerate and the magnificence of nature is all around.
Keep on reading to discover routes and guided tours in the beautiful Tuscan countryside…
Val d’Elsa is a land largely loved by cyclists from all over Europe: from racers, to tourists and even occasional riders. Amongst vineyards and olive trees, from Spring to Autumn, nature is an explosion of colours. Ochre stands out, with its spread of sunflowers, red of the poppies and yet again, green and burnt brown of the earth.
They are dream itineraries those that accompany riders and their bikes in a sun-charged Tuscany, where the countryside is vast and the many medieval hamlets are peaceful stops. There is so much to pedal and to discover in this land along the small roads which spread out amongst Casole d’elsa, Mensano, Monteguidi and Radicondoli and are technically perfect offering interesting and mostly safe itineraries due to little traffic on the roads.
The sensation is that of finding oneself in a silent and, most of all, authentic Tuscany, far away from the crowds of tourists and the beaten tracks. The hamlets and streets of this Val d’Elsa will remain within your hearts as an unexpected and unique experience.
In this exceptional landscape framework, various paths and itineraries for cyclists of different levels of difficulty have been traced to involve both amateurs and beginners. The passion for cycling-tourism is fulfilled with all its variations: mountain bikes, with marked itineraries and cartographies: by e-bike, ideal for cycling tourism on roads with little traffic and traced paths; by racing bikes on tougher paths.
The small squares, the stone steps and the benches are the ideal refreshment stops where to pause and realise that here, time has stopped and life is lived following rhythms of days gone by.
THE ITINERARIES:
Secret Val d’Elsa
Departure and arrival point: Casole d’Elsa
Length: 53 km
Gradient: 660 m
Kind of road: asphalt
Difficulty: average
A challenging itinerary suitable for trained cycling tourists: there are no very long or steep hills but the track is a continuous uphill and downhill with an elevation as trying as it is spectacular; the landscape is superb and the roads have very little or no traffic.
Monteriggioni and its towers
Departure and arrival point: Monteriggioni
Length: 12 km
Gradient: 170 m
Kind of road: dirt track and asphalt
Difficulty: average-easy
A short itinerary reaching the foot of the Montagnola. You get to see remarkable panoramas and the view of the Castle of Monteriggioni passing through Valmaggiore, the Etruscan settlement of Campassini and the vineyards.
From Colle to San Gimignano
Departure and arrival point: Colle Val d’Elsa
Length: 41 km
Gradient: 660 m
Kind of road: asphalt
Difficulty: average
An itinerary all planned along medieval hamlets where it is worth to stop for a visit. It is not so long but the elevations are decidedly lively with continuous ups and downs.
From the towers of San Gimignano to Radicondoli
Length: 110 km
Gradient: 1.700 m
Kind of road: asphalt
Difficulty: challenging
In a few words, it is the “Grand Tour of the Val d’Elsa” suitable only for trained cyclists, both regarding the distance and the gradient; very interesting roads technically, able to satisfy even the most demanding of cyclists. From a tourist point of view, it offers many opportunities and extraordinary views of this area.
BIKE RENTAL NEAR Monti 1824
Spidbike in Casole d’Elsa: local company specializing in e-bikes. They can bring the ebikes to your accommodation here at Monti 1824 and collect them afterwards. Cost :30E half day and 39E full day. Contact Claudio by phone or email: +39 3518698849 info@spidbike.it
Gippo Bike: Adriano in 1984 took over an historic cycles and motorcycles business activity, in March 1985 opened the shop in Colle di Val d’Elsa. With great passion for the mechanics, Adriano’s innovative eye and Laura administrative knowledge “Gippo Bike” was created. The brand today is a symbol of courtesy, innovation and passion.