Trekking and Cycling Tourism in the Val d’Orcia, following the Tour of Italy

Here is a route that you absolutely must try, on foot or by bike, to enjoy fantastic Tuscan landscapes

Are you thinking about your next vacation in Tuscany? In an enchanted place where you can relax, immerse yourself in nature and enjoy one of the world’s most unique landscapes.
Tuscany is the land of a thousand faces: the dirt paths, surrounded by endless rows of cypress trees, are a favourite destination for trekking and cycle enthusiasts.
Whether you’re professional or amateur, bike lovers or hikers that love to move on foot, Tuscany is the best place for you!
Situated between the Val d’Orcia and the Crete Senesi, our B&B Podere Salicotto will make you feel completely at home. Enjoy the enchanting Tuscan landscapes, with their brightly coloured Sienese hills, the cypresses moving in the wind, and choose from the many activities offered to visit these unmissable places.
Here you will find a unique panorama, perfect to be discovered by cyclists and trekking enthusiasts.

_{Crete Senesi panorama}

The itinerary that we propose can be followed both on foot or by bike, by cyclists and hikers of all levels.

The route is Buonconvento – Montalcino, passing by Castiglion del Bosco and the Lume Spento pass: the route is about 21 km.

We’d like to point out that the eleventh stage of the Tour of Italy 2021 also passed in this section: a particularly difficult stage due to the dirt road and steep inclines, but truly stunning from a landscape point of view.

Once you arrive at your destination in Montalcino, you can opt to return by bus. At Podere Salicotto, you can request your mountain bikes or e-bikes with pedal assistance (which we recommend if you’re not particularly fit), or you can request information for our SLOW TRAVEL walking tours.

You can combine a healthy dose of movement with the exploration of a wonderful area, which you can discover slowly, at a walking pace.

The route

_Buonconvento

Difficulty: medium
Length: 21 Km
Height: 490 m
Route time on foot: 4 h 30 min
Route time by bike: 2 h

Buonconvento

The route starts from Buonconvento, to be precise from Bibbiano, taking the SP 103 towards Castiglion del Bosco, and ends in the enchanting Montalcino, home of the Brunello di Montalcino, an Italian excellent red wine, known all over the world.
Follow the blue arrows that will take you onto the dirt road into the middle of a beautiful landscape, which will then take you through Castiglion del Bosco, an estate of over two thousand hectares that produces Brunello di Montalcino.
The estate is part of the Montalcino Wine Consortium and is located in the heart of the Val d’Orcia. Here you can visit the Church of San Michele, situated in the village of the same name, admiring the pre-Renaissance frescoes by the Lorenzetti brothers and visit the ruins of the ancient castle.

The Lume Spento Pass

Continuing along the SP 103 we reach the Lume Spento Pass, near Montalcino. This pass, being along the main road that connected the Amiata and the Maremma areas to Montalcino, has long been a stop for travelers.
It is said that the name derives from the light of the lanterns of passing carriages being blown out by the strong wind. A few steps from the Lume Spento Pass, you can see the ruins of an Etruscan village from which the medieval village of Montalcino, our final destination, originates. For more information have a look at our article Visit Montalcino.

Montalcino

_Montalcino

Montalcino, is an ancient medieval village located on a hill about 600m above sea level. Reaching the historic centre you can see the town rising on a hill covered with vines, olive trees and woods.
Once you arrive here, visit the fortress, enjoying the view from the panoramic terrace before moving to the historic centre, to Piazza del Popolo. The churches (S. Egidio, S. Francesco and S. Agostino) and the palazzo vescovile are worth visiting. Above all we recommend you visit The Abbey of Sant’Antimo, a stupendous monastic complex surrounded by greenery, whose origin dates back to Charlemagne himself…
If however you are just looking for a refreshment break, stop in one of the many places where you can enjoy the typical local cuisine, and of course, a glass of good wine. Finally, you can choose to return to Buonconvento by bus, but remember: these lands are best lived slowly, walking along the dirt roads, breathing in the sweet smells of nature moved by the wind around you…

_{Sant’Antimo abbey}

At Podere Salicotto we will be happy to provide you with all the information you need for your excursions: you can rent ebikes or mountain bikes which will be delivered directly here. On the other hand, if you come to us with your own bikes, Silvia and Paolo have decided to dedicate a specific area of their garage for bike maintenance/repair making it available to all guests.
Furthermore, if you are looking for more demanding itineraries, or maybe routes focused on complete relaxation, we will be happy to provide you with all the information you need.

The Val d’Orcia awaits you: walk, pedal, experience this land, as long as you do it … slowly!