21G9
Verso l'avamposto senese: passaggio nei teatri di battaglia tra Guelfi e Ghibellini
54Km
Medium
ENG
OpenRunner ID:
14111219
Start
Casole d'Elsa
Finish
Casole d'Elsa
Gradient
695meters
Slope max
12.00%
Surfaces:
Asphalt
Bicycle type
Gravel
MTB
Turism/Comfort
Verso l'avamposto senese

An excursion from Casole d’Elsa to Monteriggioni, the medieval outpost used by Siena to defend its borders. It is an easy ride down the dirt roads of the Val d’Elsa hills. These are the places where the famous battle of Colle di Val d’Elsa between Sienese and Florentines took place, the Guelph revenge on the Ghibellines after their defeat in Montaperti.

The route allows to meet the Via Francigena in many spots, as long as parish churches and castles of great interest. Do not miss the passage from the Elsa River Park, a corner of paradise where turquoise waters flow, accessible thanks to a 4km path. In the park, close to urban settlements and a destination for many visitors looking for a refreshment, various species of birds and fishes have chosen to live by the river, in a trait that “comes alive” as the locals like to say. 

 

Loghi di Progetto

 

Loghi Ambito

Itinerario e Tappe

Stage
1
Casole d’Elsa - Monteriggioni
Easy
Distance
32.20Km
Height difference
327m+
From Casole d’Elsa, you take the road leading to Il Merlo and then detour towards Cavallano to encounter Lucciana and, before reaching Grazie, Colle Val d’Elsa suburbs, you can admire the Abbey of Santa Maria Assunta a Coneo. Gracciano and the Elsa River Park are accessible through the road leading to the woos of Boscona and Scarna, isolated and protected from the industrial zones of Val d’Elsa. The graft with the Cassia road is located past a riding club, in the locality of Caduta. Finally, you reach the road that leads you from Castellina Scalo to Colonna di Monteriggioni, a well known stop and interchanging point situated at the feet of the Monteriggioni Castle, accessible from the secondary road through Porta Fiorentina.
Stage
2
Monteriggioni - Casole d’Elsa
Easy
Distance
21.50Km
(53.70Km/tot.)
Height difference
368m+
(695.00m+/tot.)
The second one is also a quite easy stage. Back on the Cassia road, you find Abbadia Isola, a reception area for the pilgrims of the Via Francigena, and then, past Castel Pietraio, you reach Strove, a town of Longobard origin. From Strove, you start again towards the Elsa river and, once past it, you climb up to the town of Mensanello, cycling on a lonely and beautiful paved road. At the start of the SP27 road, the hills frame the town of Casole d’Elsa, situated on one of them. The road goes up again, gently, until reaching the arrival point for a good rest.
Casole d'Elsa
Cavallano
Scarna
Castellina Scalo
Colonna di Monteriggioni
Monteriggioni
Abbadia Isola
Strove
Gracciano - Le Caldane
Casole d'Elsa