White roads surrounded by tall cypress trees. Crackling sound of gravel tyres flattening the white pebbles. A blue sky, a summer sun. The prospect of a fantastic lunch, with a glass of local grape juice, if that's your preference. La vita è bella a Toscana. Can you get any closer to gravel heaven? Tuscany is the gravel destination in Italy, at least we think so.

A different pace

Corazzano is a hamlet. Some call it a village, but with less than a hundred houses, it is a hamlet. As in any Italian hamlet, you will find everything you need: two restaurants, two (!) coffee bars, a small shop, a bakery (the best in the area, Tipo 2, ed.)and a sports field. Near the sports field is a tree, with a bench underneath. The stopping place for the older locals, especially men. They gather here to discuss life. To see if the local FC has another new recruit, but also to see who is passing through Corazzano in cars and on bikes.

It is strategically located between the fortified towns of San Miniato and Montaione. Both perched on a hill, overlooking the surrounding area as far as you can see. Corazzano, then, is a place to quickly forget, it is the ideal spot for a tour of the area. So this is where we settled, at Agriturismo Buon Riposo. A place to relax properly. It is right on a gravel road. The rental bike from Gippo Bike, 40 min away, was delivered to the house.

Via Francigena

This stretch of Tuscany, west of the Chianti region and east of the ‘Terre di Pisa’ is all about the Via Francigena. This ancient pilgrimage route, which runs from Canterbury (!) right across Europe, has the most beautiful route between Florence and Rome. It is a route for both walkers as cyclists. The cycling version is very much geared towards touring cyclists, especially on the beaten, paved paths. The walking route offers plenty of opportunity for gravelling in small groups. That's what makes this route so great and attractive if you're around here.

The route is well signposted, with signs for both walkers and cyclists. Do you follow the bicycle signs? Then you'll end up more north-east, at Castelfiorentino. Here you follow the Strada Provinciale which is well raked apart from a single pit. Got the gravel bike with you? Then follow the trail, over the hill edges, sometimes through the forest and with a lovely rolling landscape before you. The pictures? Those are priceless. As is the tranquillity you experience here. Do you go on a summer day, as we did? Then you will encounter few other cyclists or ‘pellegrinos’. Just a bit too hot, just a bit too southern. They all walk to Compostela. No. Here you will find the peace and beauty for which you can skip the Strade Bianche.

The stretch between San Miniato and Gambassi Terme I played all the way through. Both northbound and southbound. Tell me: this is what you want, isn't it? Want to cycle the whole route? Then start in Florence and finish at the Vatican. Or if you do really wild, so start in Canterbury, although the cycling section on the Via Francigena site starts in Jougne, France (just near the Swiss border). A nice bikepacking trip.

Triangolo Verde - Terre di Pisa

Corazzano's strategic position pays off on several levels. Via tarmac roads and a long, white gravel road, I arrive via Legoli at the Triangolo Verde. This is best described as an artists’ dream. Some large, white sculptures, in a quarry. To get access to this, you need to sign up. Plan this in advance, as the site has some bugs and if you're at the gate, you're not going to make it in time. You can book your entry (for free) via this link.

Leaving the triangle literally to the left, you quickly turn into the territory of ‘Terre di Pisa‘ on. Explorer Andrea has been a guest here before. If one image says it all, let's do two to complete it. Here you will find winding roads, cypresses, raked gravel and signposted routes. The routes are wonderful to ride both on a hot summer day, and a beautiful spring or autumn day in Tuscany. You will come across them often, so you have a wide range of options.

Speaking of wide choice or rather beautiful colour: one of the villages, or hamlets you will want to take a look at, is Ghizzano. The colourful houses, an art project by David Tremlett in 2019, make for a unique atmosphere. Pretty little else happens here, but if you want a coffee, you can. At Panificio Campani Elisabetta for example.

Montaione and beyond

Just south of Montaione, at Castelfalfi, Thomas Bogaard pitched his proverbial tent. Castelfafi is a lot closer to the beautiful roads of the ‘Strade Bianche‘. Siena is the starting point for this and Thomas rode several rounds with his girlfriend Roos around the strade and around Montaione. You can find all the routes in a komoot collection at the bottom of this article. In any case, you will find a nice photo collection here!

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Our tips for cycling, eating, drinking and sleeping in provincia di Firenze and provincia di Pisa

Our destination Corazzano is on the border of the provinces of Florence and Pisa. With that, we give you tips for both provinces, although they are centred around Corazzano and Montaione. But that should be enough to get you further on your way.

Bike rental

You can find lots of different bike rental locations in the region. Of course, you can bring your own bike. Depending on your destination, a gravel bike or a road bike is fine. On the road bike, you miss the strade bianche, but get plenty of climbs in return. With the gravel bike you have just a different focus but thus get lots of beautiful views and quiet spots. Here are two tips for bike hire:

• Gippo Bike - Colle di Val d'Elsa. We were given a beautiful Specialized Diverge to test all the way to the seam. We succeeded! A fine bike, fine service up to the door and during the ride no problems at all. And at €250 a week, the price is also manageable. Going on a longer trip? Then it might be advisable to bring your own bike.
• During our drives around San Miniato, we pass by Taddei (no relation to Pogačar). An atmospheric Specialized-only rental shop. Worth a visit just for the inside and the friendly owner. For the rental bikes themselves, we would also go back.

Restaurants for lunch and dinner

The most beautiful restaurants and the most delicious trattorias. You can find those everywhere in this region. We have had several wonderful Italian experiences, with very good food at more than reasonable prices. In the region around Corazzano and Montaione, these are our tips

Restaurants/trattoria:

• Collebrunacchi: a restaurant, as well as a B&B, on top of a hill. If you go there by bike, you literally earn your lunch. A menu of antipasti, primi, secondi and dolci, we'd love to go back for that. After three hours of dining, we still hadn't had enough. Plus point: also great for children with a large outdoor space to play
• Casa Masi: slightly fancier than Collebrunacchi, but just as tasteful, just as beautiful and also an equally large outdoor space. Booking is a must here, especially on weekends. Expect classic Tuscan dishes here. Pasta as primo, with a Bistecca Fiorentina as Secondo. Happy days.
• Il Convio: tucked away under the foot of San Miniato, you'll find this family-run restaurant. One thing is for sure: you will eat truffles here. This is deliciously served under one of those classic cloche, raised with much theatre. Lots of classic dishes here too, with a hint of truffle almost everywhere. For the kids, there is also a classic menu and lots of space to play.

Pizza and more

A quick pizza, the perfect snack in Italy, or a night out at a great price. Here are our tips

• I'rifrullo Pizzeria Bar - Montaione. Tucked away under the local theatre, this is the most unusual pizzeria, if only because of the decor. You first think you are entering some kind of teenage disco, then it looks like an underground bar, but once in the garden you understand why this is a fine pizza restaurant. Top pizzas, even the Pinsa Romana (served cold, with salami, for example). Nothing wrong with it. Quick service. The menu you can here preview.
• PizzAntica - San Miniato. From the front it looks like a take-away, but once inside there are corridors and stairs that lead to a larger space, with views towards Florence/Lucca and the hills beyond. The pizzas are delicious and with a local beer or a glass of wine on the side, you're a bargain. The pace here is also fast, so if you want to eat quickly, let's go!

Coffee and more

• Tipo 2 ArteBianca. One thing: if you come even within 10km of Corazzano, MAKE THE WAY to this bakery. OMG. Here you have the freshest croissants, freshly topped with pistachio cream or plain cream. Also, the rice cakes, which are divine. Want to take something for lunch? Then ask if they cut one of the artisan breads for you. A small piece of Focaccia Genovese, you have to try that anyway. Did we mention you have to visit this place?
• Pasticceria Filli - Montaione - Want a classic Italian coffee bar experience? Then stop here. Especially on Sundays, when everyone picks up a treat just before church and before Sunday lunch. Just a coffee, just a ‘brioche’ (collective word for croissants or other forms of puff pastry) and you can also buy cake here. Handy for when it's your partner's or child's birthday. Or if you just want to celebrate something.
• Bar - Pasticceria - Gelateria La Chicca: In a mini square in a fortified village, you'll find the perfect stop after a tough climb. Coffee with a brioche or a quick ice cream. This is a lovely spot with a terrace, where you can sit outside in the shade. Although the real Italian naturally orders at the bar, the terrace is a nice alternative. Almost nothing happens here outside the setting sun. Perfetto.

Stay

There are so many agritourisms in this region and other B&B facilities that you never really go wrong. They all have outdoor space, a swimming pool, beautiful views, a home restaurant or nearby where grandma still stirs the pasta sauce. Thomas staying in a beautiful B&B. I stayed in a agriturismo near Corazzano.

You can visit the bike-friendly hotel/country house nearby Casolare Terre Rosse consider. Close to San Gimignano but therefore also close to Siena. Ideal for all the scenic routes.

Still prefer to stay in the heart of ‘Strade Bianche’? Then consider Il Molinello, in Molinello. A perfect bicycle-friendly accommodation that is also very popular with Scandinavian cyclists.

Gravel routes in Tuscany - Montaione - Corazzano

Tuscany is currently the gravel destination in Italy. Routes abound, besides the classic Strade Bianche. We have created some routes for you and hopefully you will find something of your liking! Routes were passable and current in August 2025. We maintain our routes, but we can never 100% guarantee their complete accuracy.