Road bike France
Between Strade Bianche and Eroica, Tuscany is a must for the Gravel world!Ref CR20
There is a hint in the Tuscan air of a return to the roots of cycling when the tarmac was less important than the beauty of the landscapes crossed, when the bikes were ready to face anything, and they simply took us where the wind carried us. We wanted you to experience this atmosphere again! This Gravel tour in Tuscany was born from this desire. In a touring loop, we see a lot of the country: the hills and vineyards of Chianti to start with, then the unmissable stopover in Siena, Florence's little sister which, in some respects, has nothing to envy it. Then there are the Crete Senese and their characteristic undulations, where the barley blades dance in the breeze. Along the many white trails well known to the riders of the Strade Bianche, we enter the Val d'Orcia, and the medieval villages that have made its reputation: Pienza, Montepulciano, San Quirico d'Orcia, Montalcino. We then head for Volterra and San Gimignano, known to be among the most beautiful villages in Tuscany...
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Physical level :
Physical level :
Physical level :
Highlights
- Tuscany's incredible network of white trails
- The varied landscapes, from the vineyards of Chianti to the green hills of the Crete Senese
- The exceptional built heritage that makes the charm of the villages
- An itinerant and looped tour, to combine a spirit of adventure with logistical practicality
- Almost every day, you get to choose from three different levels of difficulty
Description
Physical levels
Some of our Gravel tours offer various levels of difficulty, from 1 to 3. When variants are available, details (distance and altitude gain) can be viewed in the day by day details of the “programme” tab.
In the case of tours with variants, regardless of the level you choose, accommodation is always in the same destination (except some rare exceptions, clearly stated in the description). This allows you to choose the most suitable level on a day-to-day basis.
Day 1: Arriving in Greve in Chianti
In the late afternoon we meet at our hotel in Greve in Chianti. For those who can arrive a little earlier in the day, we recommend a visit to Florence, located 45 minutes before Greve, coming from Pisa. It is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy and the cradle of the Renaissance.
Dinner and overnight stay in a hotel in Greve in Chianti.
Day 2: Greve in Chianti - Sienne
Highlights:
- The Chianti and its beautiful hills covered with vineyards.
- The strade bianche, the famous white roads that are part of Tuscany's reputation: "official" roads, very well prepared but not tarred, they are a delight for our gravels.
- Gaiole in Chianti, the home of the famous Eroica race, a mythical event in the world of gravel bikes.
- Castello Di Brolio, a superb 10th century castle.
- Siena is in many ways Florence's "little sister": smaller in size, it is nonetheless full of architectural treasures.
Distance and altitude gain:
- Level 1: approx. 65 km and 1350 m (of which approx. 25% is non-tarmac)
- Levels 2 and 3: approx. 90 km and 2100 m (of which approx. 40% is non-tarmac)
Day 3: Sienne - Pienza
Highlights:
- Panoramic views from the Tuscan roads and tracks.
- Discover charming little valleys.
- We enter the Crete Senese (Sienese ridges), discover the charming village of Asciano.
- We enter Pienza, one of the most beautiful villages of Crete Senese.
Distance and altitude gain:
- Level 1: approx. 70 km and 1500 m (of which approx. 35% is non-tarmac)
- Levels 2 and 3: approx. 85 km and 1725 m (of which approx. 55% is non-tarmac)
Day 4: Pienza - Buonconvento
Highlights:
- Discover in depth the sublime landscapes of the Crete Senese and the Val d'Orcia.
- Visit Montepulciano.
- Descent into the Val d'Orcia.
- Depending on the level chosen, we can go through San Quirico d'Orcia (levels 1 and 2), or take a beautiful loop on a small forest road overlooking the valley (level 3).
- Discover Montalcino, a fortified medieval village that shines internationally thanks to its Brunello, a red wine (Sangiovese grape variety, the most widespread in Tuscany) of excellent quality.
- Explore Buonconvento, a small village on the northern edge of the Val d'Orcia.
Distance and altitude gain:
- Level 1: approx. 70 km and 1450 m (of which approx. 45% is non-tarmac)
- Level 2: approx. 85 km and 1800 m (of which approx. 45% is non-tarmac)
- Level 3: approx. 105 km and 2200 m (of which approx. 40% is non-tarmac)
Day 5: Buonconvento - Casole d'Elsa
Highlights:
- Levels 1 and 2 climb as fast as possible towards the north west on a splendid Eroica trail.
- Level 3 route passes by one of the most beautiful monuments in Tuscany: the Cistercian Abbey of San Galgano, founded in the 12th century.
- The routes of the three levels then converge towards Casole d'Elsa.
- This step will be a transition stage with a slightly higher proportion of road than usual.
Distance and altitude gain:
- Level 1 and 2: approx. 65 km and 1350 m (of which approx. 35% is non-tarmac)
- Level 3: approx. 105 km and 2000 m (of which approx. 20% is non-tarmac)
Day 6: Casole d'Elsa - San Gimignano
Highlights:
- Another beautiful day ahead, with the passage of two of the fifteen most beautiful villages in Italy, no less!
- Via a small road and a track that runs along the bucolic Cesina valley for levels 2 and 3, or via a slightly less demanding itinerary for level 1, we first reach Volterra: classified as THE most attractive village in Tuscany.
- Discover San Gimignano, another beautiful village.
Distance and altitude gain:
- Level 1: approx. 60 km and 1400 m (of which approx. 30% is non-tarmac)
- Levels 2 and 3: approx. 80 km and 1700 m (of which approx. 40% is non-tarmac)
Day 7: San Gimignano - Greve in Chianti
Highlights:
- The level 1 route explores the Val d'Elsa through a maze of tiny roads and white trails.
- Levels 2 and 3 go further north to Castelfiorentino before reaching Greve through the Val di Pesa.
- This concludes our week of Gravel in the paradise of small lost roads and white trails! Welcome back!
Distance and altitude gain:
- Level 1: approx. 40 km and 950 m (of which approx. 20% is non-tarmac)
- Levels 2 and 3: approx. 70 km and 1700 m (of which approx. 40% is non-tarmac)
Distances and altitude gain are an indication only and may vary.
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Make sure to check our France Bike Trips media gallery in order to get a feel for this trip and this destination.
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