Italy - Tuscany - Sacred Routes - Guided Mountain Bike Holiday

Oversikt

The Tuscan landscape hosts a fantastic mountain bike holiday in Italy. The famous sights of Tuscany are combined with great biking exploring woodlands, hills and valleys with some great tracks and routes that link famous hilltop towns such as San Gimignano, Siena, Pienza.

Reiserute Vis detaljert reiserute

Day 1: Arrival Pisa and transfer to San Gimignano

Day 2: San Gimignano to Monteriggioni

Day 3: Monteriggioni to Siena

Day 4: Siena to Buonconvento

Day 5: Buonconvento to Pienza

Day 6: Pienza loop, San quirico d'Orcia, Bagno Vignoni

Day 7: Departure - Pisa

After arrival in Pisa we will drive through the beautiful Tuscan Landscape, arriving at our first accommodation in the countryside of San Gimignano. Here we are staying in a stunning Agriturismo surrounded by vineyards where our host treats us to our first Tuscan banquet. Over the next 3 days we bike across forested hills, through vineyards, down river valleys, across streams, past abandoned farmhouses and up to tiny fortified villages. Some rides follow the ancient Via Francigena pilgrimage and the Eroica roads, hence we called this trip the “Sacred Routes”!! The Via Franchigena was a trail which once connected Canterbury to Rome, while the Eroica routes are gravel roads used in the Giro d'Italia before tarmac was common.

 

Midway we arrive in Siena, steeped in Italian renaissance atmosphere.  Scattered with great restaurants and superb Gelateria, this is a prefect place to end the first part of the trip. For the next three days we enter the Creti Sienesi,  where we are in for some thrilling riding along steep valleys, dense forests, rivers and the legendary “badlands” eroded clay slopes around Siena and Val D'orcia. Here the riding is a roller coaster of tracks and trails riding from lowlands to open ridge views, enjoying descents that will leave you smiling all day!

Day 1: Arrival Pisa and transfer to San Gimignano (D)

You will be met at Pisa airport and transferred to San Gimignano, staying in an Agriturismo set in the outskirts of the famous town. With a plunge into the infinity pool overlooking vineyards, the holiday is really starting. Dinner is at the estate.

Day 2: San Gimignano to Monteriggioni (B, L)

Today we set off with a fun off-road section down into the lower valley before looping back towards St Gimignano. We journey south following a mix of dirt roads and trails through woods, over hills and crossing streams, through a constantly changing rolling Tuscan landscape. Most climbs will be on farm or forest gravel routes, which lead onto sections through vineyards and fields, trails and paths used mostly by local people and farmers. It can be muddy at times! Our destination for today is Abbadia Isola a small medieval hamlet set within stone walls not far from Monteriggioni. After stopping in the square for a well deserved beer we move on to our accommodation, where you can enjoy a dip in the pool before heading out for dinner.

Approx. distance: 27 Miles / 45 Kms

Day 3: Monteriggioni to Siena (B, L)

We start the day with a steady off-road climb through the Montagnola range which offers many options of trails and routes. This area is a well known destination for the Gran Fondo Sienese MTB race. This area is also ideal for some fun mountain biking, as we explore the network of dirt tracks leading into the hillside forests, looping on fun rolling singletracks towards little hamlets and twisting down over rolling fields. A final fun section of singletrack winding through forests will lead us to the outskirts of Siena. One last push on tarmac and we roll into the old walls of this quiet town. There is time to wander through Siena, visit the Palio Square and Duomo, before heading out to dinner for a mouthwatering Tuscan meal.

Approx. distance: 21 Miles / 35 Kms

Day 4: Siena to Buonconvento (B, L, D)

We leave Siena through the ancient town gates and continue our journey south on the Eroica route and into the Crete Sienesi. Arriving near the ancient Etruscan hamlet of Murlo, we enjoy a fun ride on narrow trails by the Crevole River, then up a former mining railway track to Murlo itself. Picking up the Eroica route we head to Buonconvento were we have time to stop for a refreshing break and if inclined visit the fortified walls. A short afternoon section will lead us to our accommodation.

Approx. distance: 31 Miles / 50 Kms

Day 5: Buonconvento to Pienza (B, L)

Our mountain bike pilgrimage continues as we head towards Pienza, right in the heart of the Unesco heritage site of Valle d‘Orcia. The route takes us along the ridge lines of the “crete” offering 360 degree views. The trails are a mix of farm tracks and dirt roads, with cheeky steep sections which will get you out of the saddle! Today is a shorter day, and after joining a section of the Eroica we reach our accommodation, a special Agriturismo estate set amongst ancient olive trees and with a pool and small spa there is everything we need to relax and rest, it is a holiday after all and not a race! Dinner is at the agriturismo.

Approx. distance: 24 Miles / 40 Kms

Day 6: Pienza loop, San quirico d'Orcia, Bagno Vignoni (B, L)

Different options are available for today’s ride. Whichever way we decide to ride the various terrains and routes will take us to San Quirico d‘Orcia. From here we descend quite steadily on a fast gravel track into the Orcia valley then loop back through fields, dense woods and past castle hamlets, until we reach the medieval hamlet of Bagno Vignoni with its healing baths and home to the legendary water nymphs. After resting and taking time to explore the hot water springs, we head right into the centre of the Unesco heritage site of Valle D‘Orcia. From there we start a steady climb towards Pienza along some well surfaced strade bianche. Time in Pienza to absorb and visit the local sites, to then carry on back to our accommodation for another relaxing evening. We head into Pienza for dinner.

Approx. distance: 27 Miles / 45 Kms

Day 7: Departure - Pisa (B)

After breakfast we transfer back to Pisa to say our farewells and savour the memories of a fantastic week on our bikes.

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Viktig Informasjon Vis detaljert viktig informasjon

• What's Included:

  •  Accommodation (shared twin / double en suite rooms) 
  •  Meals as per the itinerary (B-Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) 
  •  Full tour service, including Skedaddle guides 
  •  Unless stated, at least one leader qualified in first aid 
  •  Support vehicle and luggage transfers 
  •  Airport transfer on scheduled arrival day from Pisa airport (PSA) 
  •  Airport transfer on scheduled departure day to Pisa airport (PSA)

  
  

  What's Not Included:

  •  Bike hire (available if required, from GBP 160 - Full suspension bike from GBP 240) 
  •  Flights and charges for travelling with your bike (if applicable) 
  •  Meals not stated in the itinerary 
  •  Travel insurance 
  •  Single room (available if required, from GBP 185) 
  •  Personal clothing and equipment 
  •  Personal expenditure (souvenirs, bar bills, hotel facilities etc) 
  •  Entrance fees to museums and other attractions en route 
  •  Airport transfers on days other than the scheduled arrival / departure days

  
  

  Other useful travel information:

  Vaccinations: We recommend you have a dental and medical check-up before the holiday

  Passport: A full passport is required for visiting this destination.

  Baggage: Your allowable baggage is one main piece of luggage per person, other than your bike and a small day pack.

  Meals: Breakfast are typically Italian, the lunches we provide are sourced from our agriturismi or one of the guides favourite producers or delis, dinner are either taken at a local restaurant or our accommodation.

  Travel Insurance: It is a condition of your trip that you are covered by a medical and personal accident insurance policy that includes repatriation to your home country and cover for all planned activities.

  Grade: 3 Moderate, For riders with experience, good fitness & a decent level of skill. Some features that may be experienced more frequently in a higher grade tour. Most days include a couple of significant climbs. Some long days & some steep to very steep sections. Not for beginners. 45-60 miles / 70-95 kms per day & Grade 4, Challenging, For regular mountain bikers who have a good level of fitness. Routes with frequent moderate to difficult technical sections. Distances of 25-50 miles / 40-80 kms per day.

  Airport transfers: Group airport transfers are included in the cost of your holiday. To join the airport transfer on arrival, you’ll need to arrive into Pisa airport (PSA) before 12.00 for a 12.30 transfer. At the end of the tour, we will transfer the group to Pisa airport, with an estimated arrival time of 12:35. Please note – If you make travel arrangements that fall outside of the above time windows there may be an additional charge for individual transfers.

  Bike Hire: If you don’t own a suitable bike or would prefer to avoid bringing your own we have bikes available to hire. These bikes are typically very good mountain bikes featuring front suspension, disc brakes and good quality components. We can include a helmet and all necessary spares for the trip. Please request helmets at the time of booking. If you choose to rent a bike from us you are welcome to bring your own saddle with you, and if you would like to use SPD/clipless pedals you will need to bring these with you.
  Vehicle Support: At strategic points (where access allows), you have the security of our support vehicle. In the vehicle there will be some space for tired bikers, allowing the chance of a well-earned break if needed. You will also be able to leave extra gear or spare kit here during the day meaning there is no need to carry any equipment other than that you would carry on a normal day ride.
  

Priser / Datoer

Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.