Terra Eroica Bike Trip

Duration

8 Days/7 Nights

Price

1180,00 €

Level

Avid rider

Bike trip in Tuscany to discover the routes of terra eroica, pedaling on the historic routes of L'Eroica Gaiole and Eroica Montalcino.
A unique itinerary, which will allow you to combine the two permanent routes and visit the most fascinating and panoramic areas of Tuscany, from Chianti Classico to Val d'Orcia, up to the heart of the Crete Senesi.

DURATION: 8 Days/7 Nights

PRICE FROM: 1180,00 €

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

WHEN: from March to November

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. Hotel 4 stars available on request with extra price.
At your arrival we will give you our best advice on how to complete the bike trip.

Day 2 - Val d'Arbia 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.

Day 3 - Castello Banfi and Brunello region

62 km – elevation gain: 1200 meters

Second stage to discover the southern area of Brunello region, with a passage to Castello Banfi and Sant'Angelo in Colle, a pretty medieval village with fascinating views from the walls of the town.
You will reach the Abbey of Sant'Antimo , one of the most beautiful Romanesque churches in Tuscany, riding along a panoramic gravel road. The route provided include the detour to to visit the Abbey.
Another passage from Montalcino before riding up to the Val d'Orcia region.
The Via Francigena, ancient pilgrimage routes followed by pilgrims from central-northern Europe, to reach Rome, seat of the Papacy and heart of Christianity.

Dinner on your own and accommodation in 3 stars hotel.

Day 4 - Val d'Orcia region

58 km – elevation gain: 960 meters

The landscapes of the Val d'Orcia region, one of the most beautiful place in Tuscany and UNESCO world heritage site.
The Via Francigena road to Bagno Vignoni, where the main square of the village is a big thermal pool which contains the original source of thermal water.
Riding on gravel roads direction Pienza, the "ideal" city of the Renaissance time, also famous for its Pecorino cheese.
Last part of the stage to discover one of the least touristy areas of the Val d'Orcia, but which offers breathtaking views and small medieval villages like Montisi and Trequanda.

Dinner and accommodation in agriturismo.

Day 5 - Crete Senesi loop

65 km – elevation gain: 1080 meters (shorter option available)

Third stage with long part on gravel roads and breathtaking views on the Crete Senesi region.
The Eroica route near Lucignano d'Asso, one of the most fascinating white roads of the whole route.
Take a break in Buonconvento, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.
On the route of the professionals cyclist of the Strade Bianche, cycling the challenging sector of San Martino in Grania.
Final arrival of the stage in Asciano, where you will stay a second night in the same accommodation of day 4.

Dinner and accommodation in agriturismo

Day 6 - Monte Sante Marie and Chianti Classico

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 you back in the Chianti area.
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 Radda in Chianti that merits a visit to its historical village.

Dinner on your own and accommodation in 4 stars hotel.

Day 7 - Gaiole in Chianti and Castello di Brolio

46 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.