Chianti, a land of sports and nature

Be it on dirt or paved roads running through vineyards, forests or ancient villages, this is the ideal land for those who love cycling.

Although mountain bikes are arguably best, it is also easy to find trails for road or hybrid bikes, suitable for young and old alike.
There are heaps of proposals for exploring every corner of the area: the Grand Tour of Florence Chianti area, a loop of more than 93 miles (150 kilometers) between the municipalities of Greve in Chianti, Radda in Chianti, Barberino Tavarnelle and San Casciano Val di Pesa as well as the Grand Tour of Sienese Chianti, a route of around 66 miles (106 kilometers) that touches on the municipalities of Radda, Gaiole and Castellina in Chianti to discover wine culture, where you can choose from a range of destinations and even complete the route in stages, depending on your degree of preparation.

Chianti is also the ideal land for exploring at a slow pace. 
Each walk allows visitors to admire unique landscapes, including ancient churches and works of art. 
The dense network of trails renders this land suitable for all types of walkers.
Via Romea Sanese is the ancient route that connected Florence to Siena, which today alternates between stretches of paved secondary roads and dirt roads, also intersecting the official route of Via Francigena.

If, on the other hand, you intend to explore the entire Chianti region, you can choose from the many walking itineraries suited to expert walkers or simple enthusiasts.

The Vineyard Road in Castellina in Chianti offers a route between renowned wineries and the cypress grove of the Sant’Agnese Reserve. In Greve in Chianti, the trail in the footsteps of Niccolò da Uzzano alternates art and nature along a path that winds through woods and villages. 
The Anello del Passignano starts from the charming Badia a Passignano and travels through the lands of painter Domenico Cresti, while in Radda in Chianti, another itinerary traces the footsteps of artist Leo Lionni in a unique natural setting.

Finally, one can embark on a true journey through time to discover the places of the Etruscans in Chianti along with the village of San Gusmè and Villa a Sesta or else follow an itinerary involving the valleys along the Terzona River, a tributary of the Pesa and Greve rivers, in the municipality of San Casciano Val di Pesa.

Many sporting events are also held here each year. The season commences in March with the Chianti Ultratrail, a weekend dedicated to trails and marathons across several types of routes, starting in Radda.

In May, it’s the Chianti Classico Marathon, an event that covers the entire Florentine Chianti Classico area, touching on San Casciano Val di Pesa, Barberino Tavarnelle and Greve in Chianti. 
Finally, La Gallo Nero is one of the most important events for cycling enthusiasts, held in late September. The routes, starting and ending in Radda in Chianti, follow the most beautiful roads of the Chianti Classico municipalities.

To conclude the season is the Chianti Classico Ecomarathon, a running event in October that exalts the scenic and food and wine riches of Castelnuovo Berardenga.