By bike through the Heart of Chianti

The itinerary begins at Porta Ovile, one of the characteristic gates of the ancient Sienese city walls. The trail continues as far as Porta Pispini, and after we pass past it we run downhill along Via Aretina as far as the bottom of the valley at the locality of Due Ponti. Here, taking Strada di Pieve al Bozzone, we will find uphill stretches and challenging descents until the beginning of the dirt stretch. At this point, the road begins to climb gradually.

Once we find the asphalt again, we turn left and then immediately right towards Pievasciata. We find ourselves along a beautiful road that keeps at altitude and allows us to have panoramic views of Siena and the first Chianti hills. Here crops alternate with wooded areas, giving the surrounding landscape the peculiarities typical of this homeland of wine and oil.

We go past the junction that leads to Geggiano, with its Villa and the splendid garden declared a national monument. After the village of Catignano we proceed slightly uphill, reaching Pievasciata for a well-deserved break. Just beyond the village, the Romanesque Parish Church of San Giovanni Battista does not fail to surprise its visitors.

Resuming our journey, we follow the directions for Vagliagli and the Parco di Sculture del Chianti, a permanent outdoor exhibition full of fine contemporary sculptures.

The road now becomes unpaved and climbs slowly to the junction indicating Pieve a Bozzone. We ride until we reach the castle of Borgo Scopeto, as indicated by a road sign, and then continue down a marked descent to the hamlet of Santa Margherita-La Suvera and arrive at Pieve al Bozzone. A few more kilometers and we are back in Siena.

Itinerary curated by stradedisiena.it