By motorcycle from Cecina to Colle Val d'Elsa.
The Volterrana is a route that develops its curvaceous DNA gradually, escaping the sea to ride the gentle Tuscan hills in an increasing scenic up and down. Few but good stops, such as Volterra and Colle Val d'Elsa, reassuring asphalt and plenty of history to discover on the road.
Set your gps: Cecina, Saline di Volterra, Volterra, Castel San Gimignano, Colle Val d'Elsa
The start of this pleasant itinerary is from Cecina, with the handlebars looking for the thread of Regional Road 68, a funny skein that will gradually unroll over the Tuscan hills lighting up your smile. Trust that first straight that is too smooth, you won't regret it.
Regional Road 68, for those who know it well Volterrana, goes up the Elsa river in the company of the train, first mandatory stop: Volterra! With a series of watered-down half-curves you give the gear some respite, passing the entrance to Provincial Road 13 del Commercio: tantalizing detour except for the uneven ground. At the crossroads for Montecatini Val di Cecina, from the hill you may be tempted to visit the mining museum, but the wheels stay glued to the Volterrana. All the way to Saline di Volterra, a historic location for salt extraction from its natural springs, the road distracts motorcyclists with vineyards and olive groves as it prepares for the its strongest attraction: ever more intriguingly, the center part finally draws tasty trajectories in a crescendo of rhythm and slight elevation gain.
The start of this pleasant itinerary is from Cecina, with the handlebars looking for the thread of Regional Road 68, a funny skein that will gradually unroll over the Tuscan hills lighting up your smile. Trust that first straight that is too smooth, you won't regret it.
Regional Road 68, for those who know it well Volterrana, goes up the Elsa river in the company of the train, first mandatory stop: Volterra! With a series of watered-down half-curves you give the gear some respite, passing the entrance to Provincial Road 13 del Commercio: tantalizing detour except for the uneven ground. At the crossroads for Montecatini Val di Cecina, from the hill you may be tempted to visit the mining museum, but the wheels stay glued to the Volterrana. All the way to Saline di Volterra, a historic location for salt extraction from its natural springs, the road distracts motorcyclists with vineyards and olive groves as it prepares for the its strongest attraction: ever more intriguingly, the center part finally draws tasty trajectories in a crescendo of rhythm and slight elevation gain.
Volterra, increasingly present on the horizon line, is announced by a ruin on the left and later introduced by two land art installations by Mauro Staccioli at la Mestola and la Boldria. Arm in arm, the first real curves also arrive, followed by numberless hairpin bends, and in the blink of an eye you reach the gates of the Etruscan city. Short but intense epilogue!
Volterra, the cradle of alabaster, deserves more than just a stop ... if only to visit the Guarnacci Etruscan museum and take a stroll through the sublime historic town center. When you leave town the greeting is again by Staccioli, and the temptation of a souvenir photo next to the imposing concrete and iron ring turns off the engine for a few moments. A brief interlude before resuming Regional Road 68 in the direction of Siena.
Volterra, increasingly present on the horizon line, is announced by a ruin on the left and later introduced by two land art installations by Mauro Staccioli at la Mestola and la Boldria. Arm in arm, the first real curves also arrive, followed by numberless hairpin bends, and in the blink of an eye you reach the gates of the Etruscan city. Short but intense epilogue!
Volterra, the cradle of alabaster, deserves more than just a stop ... if only to visit the Guarnacci Etruscan museum and take a stroll through the sublime historic town center. When you leave town the greeting is again by Staccioli, and the temptation of a souvenir photo next to the imposing concrete and iron ring turns off the engine for a few moments. A brief interlude before resuming Regional Road 68 in the direction of Siena.
First distraction: the village of Roncolla and its pretty church of San Martino, built by Monsignor Mario Guarnacci. The itinerary proceeds with a continuous and pleasant up and down, riding the Tuscan hills through farmhouses and minor hamlets. The last fleeting glimpse of Volterra, now far in the mirror, is from Castel San Gimignano. Entering the village for a coffee, bikers find themselves in front of the casa del popolo (house of the people). From here, you can reach San Gimignano via the Castelvecchio nature reserve: if you decide to admire its beautiful towers from up close, be prepared for an inevitable crowd of tourists, but it is worth it.
First distraction: the village of Roncolla and its pretty church of San Martino, built by Monsignor Mario Guarnacci. The itinerary proceeds with a continuous and pleasant up and down, riding the Tuscan hills through farmhouses and minor hamlets. The last fleeting glimpse of Volterra, now far in the mirror, is from Castel San Gimignano. Entering the village for a coffee, bikers find themselves in front of the casa del popolo (house of the people). From here, you can reach San Gimignano via the Castelvecchio nature reserve: if you decide to admire its beautiful towers from up close, be prepared for an inevitable crowd of tourists, but it is worth it.
For those wanting to ride along Regional Road 68: at kilometer 60 a small road on the right climbs to the Parish Church of Saints Ippolito and Cassiano. If you miss it don't worry, the route reaches Campiglia dei Foci in hairpin bends and offers a beautiful view of the parish church again on the opposite side. The Volterrana thus arrives at its final stop, gradually putting an end to emotions and trajectories until it reaches Colle Val d'Elsa: a triumphant finish line, rich in notable monuments that are well worth visiting.
For those wanting to ride along Regional Road 68: at kilometer 60 a small road on the right climbs to the Parish Church of Saints Ippolito and Cassiano. If you miss it don't worry, the route reaches Campiglia dei Foci in hairpin bends and offers a beautiful view of the parish church again on the opposite side. The Volterrana thus arrives at its final stop, gradually putting an end to emotions and trajectories until it reaches Colle Val d'Elsa: a triumphant finish line, rich in notable monuments that are well worth visiting.