Cycling route from Colle di Val d’Elsa to Poggibonsi
The Val d’Elsa is cycling country and works for both experienced cyclists and beginners. The scenery spans vineyards, cypress-studded hills, sun-drenched olive groves and fields of summery sunflowers. Consider hiring a bike and setting off on an exploration of quaint hamlets, hidden chapels and pretty villas, including routes to Monterrigioni or San Gimignano.
Colle di Val d’Elsa’s easiest route works for all ages and can be experienced as a walk or a cycle ride. This popular cycling path connects Colle di Val d’Elsa to Poggibonsi, the two biggest towns in the Val d’Elsa. The novelty of the route, inaugurated in 2011, was to site the trail along disused railway tracks, and to restrict it to pedestrians and cyclists. The little-used branch line was once connected to the Siena-Empoli rail route but was finally closed down in the late 1980s. Now repurposed as a trail for cyclists and walkers, the cycle path, at just over 7km, is flat, easy and peaceful so makes for a pleasant walk or short cycle ride. The path follows the River Elsa and meanders through the countryside, with benches and information panels sited at scenic spots along the route.
A far longer cycling itinerary connects Colle di Val d’Elsa and Monteriggioni, with a choice of routes. One 40-km route leads through vineyards and olive groves, taking a mixture of paved roads, country lanes and dirt tracks. It covers varied terrain and crosses the Val d’Elsa, taking in the Romanesque abbey of Abbadia Isola en route to medieval Monteriggioni, tucked into its 13th-century walls. The alternative route, often used by local cyclists for training rides, winds up the wooded hillsides around Monte Maggio, and offers lovely views to Siena. Even lovelier is the 42-km Colle di Val d’Elsa to San Gimignano route, which is best done in reverse. The first option follows country lanes up and includes a few short off-roading sections. Riders can admire low-slung hills swathed in vineyards, olive groves and pockets of woodland. It is a landscape virtually unchanged since medieval times. The alternative route is a much tougher, more exhilarating ride with great views over rolling hills and three provinces.
Colle di Val d’Elsa to Poggibonsi cycle track (Italian only): https://sentieridicioccolata.it/la-ciclabile-del-trenino-poggibonsi-colle/
Gippo bike (bike hire including electric bikes):
Localita Pian dell’Olmino 77
53034 Colle Val d’Elsa.
T: (+39)0577 904405
www.gippobike.it
