The Gravel route from Florence to Livorno

The itinerary symbolically starts from the Museo del Ciclismo (Cycling Museum)  in Ponte a Ema, named after Gino Bartali, who was born here, a few kilometers south of Florence. 
The route is long and the elevation gain challenging - over 3000 m - so we suggest dividing it into two days, possibly with a stop between San Gimignano and Volterra.

We start our ride by heading south into the Florentine Chianti area and we then turn off towards Passo dei Pecorai and Badia a Passignano along an enchanting dirt road. 
We set off again towards Sambuca Val di Pesa and descend a few kilometers southwards along provincial road SP 94. 
Just after the pretty little village of San Donato in Poggio, with its beautiful Romanesque parish church that we will come close to along the way, we head back in a westward direction, passing Poggibonsi and finally reaching San Gimignano.

After the visit, which is a must, and a stop to recharge (our batteries or energy requirements) we return to the route along provincial road SP 69. 
About 3.5 km after San Gimignano we recommend a short detour from the route - 200 m - to visit the solitary Pieve di Cellole, a Romanesque parish church surrounded by cypress trees.

We continue along a challenging uphill and downhill stretch, reaching an altitude of 606 m, the highest point of the tour.

After a long descent down to the Valdera valley floor, we climb up the other side until we reach Volterra, a city of Etruscan origin that undoubtedly deserves a long stop for a visit.

The most challenging part is now over: we descend from Volterra first along Val di Cecina State Road SS 58 and then turn right in the direction of Orciatico. 
We then carry on to Casciana Terme and Collesalvetti until we reach Livorno and reward our efforts by enjoying some excellent cacciucco (fish stew).

This route is part of the Strade Zitte (Silent Roads, a name inspired by a song by Paolo Conte) project. These are “collector's routes” for quality cycling tourism along secondary country and mountain roads, away from the noise of engines. They are available for free on the www.turbolento.net website. One more contribution for discovering Tuscany in all its beauty by bike.