Orbetello to Montalcino - Tuscany Bicycle Tours
Bike Tour Fast Facts...
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Tour Name: |
Orbetello to Montalcino Tour |
| Difficulty: |
Moderate |
| Duration: |
3 Days |
| Distance: |
180 KM |
| Begin/End: |
Orbetello / Montalcino |
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A 3 Day Bike Tour Along The Italian Coast
This moderate three day Tuscany bicycle tour has something for everyone – from coastal roads around Orbetello, tree-lined canopy forests, to the wonderful wines and vineyards of Montalcino, this route will charm you with its ever-changing terrain.
Out of all the Tuscany bicycle tours, the lack of traffic and history make this one of the finest in Italy, and can easily be stretched to a four or five day ride if you wish.
You begin along the coast of Orbetello and head inland towards Pitigliano via the rolling hills and farmlands of Feniglia. The second day leads you through Etrruscan tombs (an ancient civilization prior to the Romans) and thick forests as you wind around Monte Amiata (the highest and largest volcano in Tuscany).
The third day takes you through the famous wine region of Montalcino. Weaving through vineyards, be sure to stop and savor the world-class Brunello wines. You can either spend the night in Montalcino (highly recommended) or head to Buonconvento to catch a train back to Siena.
When To Cycle
Tuscany can get uncomfortably hot in July and August. The best times to visit are May and September – October. While Montalcino gets a healthy number of tourists, you won't face any traffic issues for the most part.
Starting Your Bicycle Tour - Getting To Orbetello
Trains from Rome run regularly to Orbetello (€7.55 plus €3.50 supplementary bike ticket; 2 hours travel). If arriving from Florence, you must change trains at Pisa (€13.80 plus €3.50 supplementary bike ticket; 3.5 hours travel).
Alternatively, you can ride from Buonconvento to Siena via secondary roads, or connect to another three day cycling tour that ends in Siena.
Tuscany Bicycle Tour Route
Day 1 - Orbetello to Pitigliano (7 hours; 82 km)
Cycling along windswept beaches lined with large pine trees in Duna Fengilia Park is a wonderful start to your journey. The path is mostly gravel, but manageable.
The next stretch puts you along the west coast of Tuscany, with the Tyrrhenian Sea on your right. Sunflowers blossom all along your route and – if you travel in May – the poppies will be in full bloom.
Once you reach SP75 the terrain begins to change from coastal seascapes to rolling hills and vineyards dotting the landscape. The cycling here is relatively flat; you should make great time along this section.
The last part is noticeable steeper, especially the last kilometer into Pitigliano. This medieval town sits atop a rock outcrop surrounded by three gorges. Rest here for the night and enjoy the views.
Day 2 - Pitigliano to Castel del Piano (5 hours; 55 km)
While shorter than the first day, this route is harder; with steep climbs and thrilling descents through classic Tuscan countryside.
Just 5km outside Pitigliano lies the Etruscan tombs (well worth stopping for). Discovered in 1924 by the Rosi brothers, these tombs are some of the most famous relics of Etruscan culture.
It's a slow and steady ascent towards Castel Azzara, an ideal lunch stop. From there, you'll be greeted with near-panoramic views of the valley below and rolling farmlands before entering rich, green forest.
Descending from the forest towards Arcidosso is best done with care; there many sharp turns and steep descents along the way. Once you've passed through Arcidosso it's an easy bike ride into the charming village of Castel del Piano, where you can rest for the evening.
Day 3 – Castel del Piano to Montalcino (4 hours; 43 km)
We've saved the best for last. The shorter cycling distance allows you more time to wander through the charming town of Montalcino, or hop a train from Buonconvento towards Siena.
This cycling route alternates between ascents and descents; the hardest part being the climb into Montalcino . Be sure to visit the Abbazia di Sant'Antimo, a Benedictine monastery built in the eighth century AD (some say Charlemagne commissioned the building).
There are many places to stop along the way, though we suggest cycling straight to Montalcino. If you have the time, spend a few days here, touring the local wineries and sampling their world famous Brunello wines ( a red wine related to the Sangiovese grape).
Should you decide to push on to Buonconvento, it's an easy, downhill shot to the train station which takes you to Siena.
All Tuscany bicycle tours are breathtaking and beautiful, leaving you with memories for a lifetime.
Orbetello to Montalcino Tour Map
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Orbetello to Montalcino Tour Directions
DIRECTIONS |
DISTANCE |
DAY 1 |
| Orbetello Tourist Office |
0 |
| Turn left at Via Mura di Ponente |
|
| Turn right to Porto Ercole with bike lane |
0.5 |
| Turn left to Porto Ercole |
1.8 |
| Turn left to Feniglia |
3.3 |
| Turn left and look for Duna Feniglia sign |
3.9 |
| Pass gate for Duna Feniglia |
4.2 |
| Dirt road for 6km |
|
| Veer right on main road |
4.5 |
| Turn left at road junction (no sign) |
4.8 |
| Veer left onto path around gate |
10.3 |
| Turn left on paved road to cross river |
10.4 |
| Turn right at Via delle Mimose |
10.5 |
| Go straight to Capalbio Scalo |
13.5 |
| Go straight to Capalbio Scalo |
18.3 |
| Turn left to Capalbio Scalo |
27.2 |
| Turn left to Aurelia SS1 |
27.4 |
| Veer right to Aurelia SS1 |
28.6 |
| Turn left SP75 to Capalbio |
34.5 |
| Go straight to Manciano SP101 |
37.5 |
| Turn right to Manciano SP101 |
48.5 |
| Turn right to manciano |
54.5 |
| Hill climb for 8km |
|
| Veer right to Pitgliano |
62.5 |
| Pitigliano Tourist Office |
81.8 |
DAY 2 |
| Pitigliano Tourist Office |
0 |
| Re-enter the arch you went through yesterday |
0 |
| Turn right at stop sign |
0.1 |
| Go straight on SP46 to Sovana |
0.7 |
| Hill climb for 1.8km |
1.7 |
| Turn right on SP22 to Sorano |
5.4 |
| Go straight to Sorano |
9.4 |
| Turn left to S. Valentino |
9.7 |
| Hill climb for 0.9km |
12.3 |
| Veer right to Montevitozzo, Castel Azzara |
14.6 |
| Hill climb for 2.9km |
14.8 |
| Turn left to Montevitozzo, Castel Azzara |
18.7 |
| Montevitozzo |
19.1 |
| Veer left to Castel Arrara |
|
| Hill climb for 2.9km |
19.6 |
| Turn left to Castel Azzara |
23 |
| Turn right at T interesection at Via Marconi |
24.7 |
| Veer left at fork in road |
|
| Veer left to S Fiora |
30.2 |
| Veer right to S Fiora |
38 |
| Hill climb for 2.5km |
41.6 |
| Veer right to Castel del Piano |
43.8 |
| Turn left to Castel del Piano |
44.1 |
| Veer right to Castel del Piano |
44.9 |
| Veer right to Castel del Piano |
48.9 |
| Steep descent |
|
| Veer right to Castel del Piano |
51.8 |
| Arcidosso |
|
| Go straight at roundabout Via Vittorio Veneto |
54.7 |
| Turn left at Piazza Garibaldi |
55.2 |
| Turn left at Via Marconi |
|
| Castel di Piano Tourist Office |
|
DAY 3 |
| Castel di Piano Tourist Office |
0 |
| Turn right at Via Marconi |
0 |
| Turn right at Via della Stazione to tutte le direzioni |
0.3 |
| Turn left at SS323 to SS2 Cassia |
0.6 |
| Seggiano |
6.6 |
| Veer right to San Quirco d'Orcia |
0 |
| Hill climb for 3.3km |
6.8 |
| Steep decent for 6.2km |
10.1 |
| Veer left at SP22 to Montalcino |
12.7 |
| Hill climb for 2.9km |
16.5 |
| Veer right to montalcino |
21.7 |
| Hill climb for 7.8km |
21.7 |
| Go straight to Montalcino |
29.5 |
| Turn left to Siena |
|
| Seep decent for 6km |
|
| Turn left at the roundabout to Buonconvento SP45 |
31.3 |
| Turn left at the roundabout to Siena SS2 |
40.8 |
| Buonconvento |
42.8 |
Tuscany Bicycle Tours
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