Biking in Chianti
 

We are hoping to do some biking while staying in Siena. I am wondering if anyone has reccomendations of the best places to bike to while there. My first inclination is to bike to Arrezzo but it seems like the train to get back to Siena might be difficult to navigate, going back through Florence and I am not sure the bus will take our bikes back with us. But I did want to see Arrezzo. . Any thoughts?

My next thought was Siena to volterra and then back to colle di Val d'elsa for late lunch or dinner and train ride back to Siena. Does anyone know this train and if we could bring the bikes on it and what time it runs until?

Iam all ears for Any other bike options around SienA, staying away from big tourist spots.
We already have two days staying in montepulciano planned so I just need suggestions fir riding around Siena.
Thanks!

I have no first hand experience, but you may want to contact this company about rentals, transport and suggested routes. They have a very good reputation and are located in Siena.

http://www.dfbike.it/AboutUs.aspx

There is no train from Colle de Val d'Elsa to Siena, just a bus. Siena to Volterra is ~66km with quite a few hills.

To stay away from big tourist spots, I suggest you head south from Siena and explore the Crete Senese area toward Asciano, Buonconvento, Abbey Monte Oliveto Maggiore, Chiusure and San Giovanni d'Asso. The area is absolutely beautiful and the roads would be perfect for rides. Another route could take you east of Siena with a visit to Lucignano. You could do a big loop and avoid having to use a train/bus.

Lunch suggestions in the area-

Buonconvento- Da Mario (closed Saturdays)
Chiusure- Locanda Paradiso (light lunch and snacks)
Asciano- Locanda del Ponte del Garbo (local specialties and great pizza)

I forgot to add- you can take the train from Asciano to Siena.

I just looked at your itinerary for this trip and noticed that you plan on doing some hiking during your brief stay in Montepulciano. I have done some hiking in the area and I am happy to provide suggestions if you would like them.

Also, this post is not tagged for Italy. You may want to ask the Fodor's monitors to tag it for you. I'm sure you will get better responses.

I would love some suggestions for hiking near montepulciano. Thank you! Also, thankyou for the heads up on tagging for Italy!

Two of my favorite hikes in the area-

Montepulciano to Montefollonico-

Leaving from the San Biagio church parking lot, walk north on the Via Dei Canneti until reaching the Via Delle Comlombelle. Turn left. Follow this road as it wonders into the valley through farms and vinyards. You will see Montefollonico in the distance throughout the hike.

After several km and at the bottom of the hill, you will come to a stream (it may be dry) right before the road splits in a Y and goes up hill. Take the right hand split and hike up a steep hill. Continue following this narrow road through the trees as it makes its way up to the paved road. There is an old, abandoned church on the corner. Turn left onto the paved road.

You can follow this road as it winds around and up to the main gate of Montefollonico. Another way to arrive into town is to climb the path that leads through the park (you'll see the park on the right as you walk up the paved road). I found this path a bit confusing and steep. I took it down when I left Montefollonico, which was much easier (downhill and easier to navigate).

I think this hike took me 1.5 - 2.0 hours each way. If you time it right, eat lunch in Montefollonico at the casual Osteria La Botte Piena, located inside the main gate on the right. Their baked cheese dishes are wonderful.


Pienza to Monticchiello-

Leave Pienza through the southeastern gate at the bottom of Corso Rossellino (at the far end of town), cross over the main aspalt road (the Pienza ring road) and take the small asphalt road that leads downhill to the left.

As you walk down this road it will turn to gravel and leads you through beautiful farms and vineyards. You will see Monticchiello off in the distance. Continue on this road up a big, gradual hill. When you get to the bottom of the hill on the other side, turn left at the T. A bit further, you will need to make a right and head up hill to Monticchiello.

This hike took around 1.5 hours each way. There is a bar with snacks at the Monticchiello main gate and a nearby park. If you time it right, make reservations for lunch on the patio at La Porta. If it is available, be sure to include with your meal the sformato (an Italian souffle).

If you run out of time to do this hike, you can make this a nice drive.


Montepulciano to Monticchiello-

I have not done this hike yet, but it looks pretty straight forward when following a map. As you exit Montepulciano going toward Pienza on the SS146, look for the Via di San Bartolomeo. Follow this road all the way to Monticchiello. The road is paved for a few km before becoming dirt. You can also drive this road.

Enjoy your treks!

Zoecat;

Any sugguestions how to get back tp Siena from San Giovanni d'Asso if we do that ride?

I think you will need to ride down to Buonconvento or Asciano to catch a train back to Siena. The good news is that it will be mostly downhill.

You can research train times here-

http://www.ferroviedellostato.it/homepage_en.html

Zoecat- which do you think is better for a challenging, full day ride? The Siena to asciano buonconvento etc option or siena to lucignano option? Thanks!

If you go due South of Siena there is a route called the "Hero" from memory its a +150km ride and tends to follow the ridge roads rather than the valley. Fine views, I've done 26k one evening in the fading light with out bike lights and the rising dark was lovely.

Ride to Volterra is very wiggly, i'd take the bus

I would choose the Asciano, etc route. The views are incredible, you'll have a few towns for services along the way and there will be fewer cars. However, I would check with the bike shop I linked in my above post to verify the details. Especially navigating out of and back into Siena. See if they can provide info on bilboburger's "Hero" route. It sounds like it is in the Asciano/Crete Senesi area.

Do you have your own bikes or are you renting?

Also, be sure to provide a trip report on your treks when you return. I would love to hear how it goes.

Check out the trip reports on www.crazyguyonabike.com to get some ideas on cycling in Italy