Permanent route of L'Eroica in 5 stages - Self Guided

Duration

7 days/6 nights

Price

€ 1050,00

Level

Active rider

The Permanent Route of L'Eroica is a unique experience where you can live the adventure of L'Eroica all year round. The permanent route is long 209 km in the heart of the Terre di Siena region, through Chianti, Crete Senesi and Val d'Orcia. It’s a journey into the essence of the legendary Tuscan landscape, characterized by challenging and technical segments that make this route a great opportunity to practice cycling. The route alternates paved and gravel roads and has a total elevation gain around 3800 meters. Gravel roads cover approximately 112 km on 209 km. The length of each stage is between 40 and 50 km, for this reason you can enjoy the landscapes, visit town along the route or taste local product like wine and olive oil.
Siena offers a good connection with the largest cities, airports and train stations. On request we can organize the start of the tour from Radda in Chianti.

DURATION: 7 days/6 nights

PRICE: from 1050,00 €

WHERE: Chianti - Siena - Montalcino - Val d'Orcia - Crete Senesi

WHEN: all year long

TYPE OF TERRAIN: paved/gravel

Itinerary

Day 1 - Benvenuti in Toscana

Individual arrivals, dinner on your own and accommodation in hotel 3 stars located close the city center of Siena.
Upgrade in 4 stars hotel available on request with extra charge.

At your arrival you will receive all the informations to complete the route of L'Eroica.

Day 2 - Val d'Arbia hills and Montalcino

55 km – elevation gain: 1130 meters

Just leaving the city of Siena you’ll ride through a very typical segment of the route, located between “Colle Malamerenda” and Radi, deep in the gentle hills of Siena, studded of farmhouses, medieval villages, merging your ride with the Via Francigena itinerary. The view of the village of Murlo will be the end of the easiest part of the whole permanent route.
Climbing Castiglion del Bosco, one of the most challenging segments of L’Eroica permanent route, you will reach the medieval village of Montalcino over the beautiful and panoramic lands of Brunello di Montalcino. Montalcino, also famous for olive oil and honey, it’s a nice village perfect for a stop for lunch or visit to the town center, even to admire the incredible panorama opening over the Val d’Orcia area.

Dinner on your own and accommodation in 3 stars hotel located in the town center of Montalcino.

Day 3 - Val d'Orcia region

38 km – elevation gain: 780 meters

First part of the stage with breathtaking views over the Val d’Orcia and Montalcino.
Follow the ride along the Via Francigena pilgrimage route direction Torrenieri, first possible stop to refill the water bottle or take a coffee.
With a deviation to the normal permanent route you can visit the Val d’Orcia, UNESCO protected site.
Passage from San Quirico d’Orcia, one of the most representative villages of the Val d’Orcia, with the town center full of bars, restaurants and small shops.
Ride along thew Via Francigena in the direction of Bagno Vignoni, cute medieval town where the main square of the village is a big thermal pool which contains the original source of thermal water.
The views of the Val d’Orcia, one of the most evocative places in all Tuscany and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Final arrival in Pienza, the "ideal" city of the Renaissance, also famous for its pecorino cheese. Enjoy a walk in the town center before dinner and look out on the panoramic terrace from which you can admire the entire Val d’Orcia.

Dinner on your own and accommodation in hotel 4 stars located in Pienza.

Day 4 - Crete Senesi

52 km – elevation gain: 760 meters

An unforgettable ride surrounded by the beautiful views of the Crete Senesi to the edge of Chianti wine region. After a few kilometers you can decide to visit, with a diversion on the normal road, the monastery of Sant’Anna in Camprena, also famous for the movie "The English Patient".
Back on the Eroica route, you’ll cycle the gravel segment direction Lucignano d’Assso, one of the most panoramic of the Eroica and Strade Bianche route.
Ride through Buonconvento, medieval town where we suggest to plan a stop to visit the old town center.
The last part of the road will take you to visit the abbey of Monte Oliveto and the the small village of Chiusure before the final downhill along one of the most beautiful and panoramic road in Tuscany.

Dinner and accommodation in agriturismo.

Day 5 - Monte Sante Marie and Chianti region

53 km – elevation gain: 1230 meters

The first part of the stage includes the challenging gravel road of Monte Sante Marie, very famous sector of the Strade Bianche pro race that will take to the Chianti wine region.
You will reach the Chianti wine region through Castelnuovo Berardenga, the village on the border with the Crete Senesi.
A kind of summary of what you saw and what you will see is the road to Pianella that presents different landscapes. The road to Radda in Chianti will be a sequence of vineyards and woods, passing through pretty villages and farms, that could offer you a wide range of typical products, wine and olive oil tasting, temptations that will delight your itinerary and your senses.
You’ll finally arrive at Radda in Chianti that merits a visit to its historical village.

Dinner on your own and accommodation in 4 stars hotel.

Day 6 - Castello di Brolio and Siena

47 km – elevation gain: 800 meters

After Radda in Chianti you’ll be headed to Gaiole, town where L’Eroica was born on 1997, going down through Vertine, a nice little pearl of the Chianti. The Eroica route starts in Gaiole in Chianti, winding among historical vineyards that lead you to Castello di Brolio, with its cypress-lined entrance. The breath-taking panorama below the walls, over the vineyards, represents one of the most wonderful parts of the permanent route. You can decide also to visit the Castle, owned by the Ricasoli family since 1141, or taste a glass of Chianti Classico at the enoteca.
After a few kilometers, near San Giovanni a Cerreto, Siena will appear on the horizon. The visit to this wonderful medieval city with its Dome, Piazza del Campo and the perfect medieval city center will make your trip special.

Dinner on your own and accommodation in 3 stars hotel located very close the city center of Siena. Hotel 4 stars available on request with extra price.