Is Tuscany really the best gravel destination? (spoiler: yes!)

White roads surrounded by tall cypresses. A crackly sound from gravel tires flattening the white stones. Blue sky, summer sun. The prospect of a fantastic lunch, with a glass of local grape juice, if that’s your preference. La vita è bella in Tuscany. Can you get closer to the gravel sky? Tuscany is the ultimate gravel destination in Italy, at least that’s what we think.

A different pace

Corazzano is a hamlet. Some call it a village, but with no more than a hundred houses, it is actually a hamlet. As in every Italian hamlet, you can find everything you need: two restaurants, two (!) coffee bars, a small shop, a bakery (the best in the wider area, Type 2, (red.) and a sports field. Next to the sports field is a tree, with a bench underneath. The gathering place for the older locals, especially the men. They come here to discuss life. To see if the local football team has a new addition, but also to see who drives by in the car and on the bike.

It is strategically located between the fortified towns of San Miniato and Montaione. Both of them are located on a hill, with views over the surrounding area, as far as the eye can see. Corazzano is then a place to quickly forget about, it is the ideal place for a tour of the area. That is where we landed, at Agriturismo Good night. A place to relax well. It is located right next to a gravel road. The rental bike from Gippo Bike, 40 minutes away, was delivered to our house.

Via Francigena

In this piece of Tuscany, west of the Chianti region and east of the ‘Terre di Pisa’, it’s all about the Via Francigena. This ancient pilgrimage route that runs through Europe from Canterbury (!) has the most beautiful route. between Florence and Rome. It is a route for both walkers as cyclists. The cycling version is very much aimed at touring cyclists, mainly on the beaten, paved paths. The walking route offers plenty of opportunity to go gravel riding in small groups. That makes this route so great and attractive if you are in the area.

The route is well signposted, with signs for both walkers and cyclists. If you follow the bike signs, you’ll get more out of the north-east, near Castelfiorentino. Here you follow the Provincial Road The one exception is a single pit stop. Do you have your gravel bike with you? Then follow the trail, over the hill sides, sometimes through the forest and with a wonderfully rolling landscape in front of you. The photos? They are priceless. Just like the peace and quiet you experience here. Are you going on a summer day, like us? Then you will encounter few other cyclists or ‘pellegrino’s’. Just a little too warm, just a little too southern. They all go to Compostela. No. Here you find the peace and beauty for which you can skip the Strade Bianche.

I have fully explored the stretch between San Miniato and Gambassi Terme. Both northwards and southwards. Now you tell me: isn’t this what you want? Do you want to cycle the entire route? Then start in Florence and finish at the Vatican. Or if you’re really wild, then start in Canterbury, although the cycling part of the site on the Via Francigena starts in Jougne, France (right next to the Swiss border). A beautiful Bikepacking trip.

Triangolo Verde – Terre di Pisa

The strategic position of Corazzano pays off in many ways. Through asphalt roads and a long, white gravel road, I reach Legoli. Triangolo Verde. This can best be described as an artist’s dream. Several large, white sculptures, in a quarry. To access them, you need to register. Plan ahead, because the site has some bugs, and if you’re at the gate, you won’t be able to get it done in time. You can reserve your entrance (for free) via this link.

If you leave the triangle literally lying to the left, you quickly turn the terrain from ‘Land of Pisa‘ On. This is where explorer Andrea has already been. If a picture says a thousand words, then let’s add two more to complete the picture. Here you’ll find winding roads, cypress trees, compacted gravel and well-paved routes. The routes are beautiful to ride, both on a hot summer day and on a beautiful spring or autumn day in Tuscany. You’ll often encounter them, so you have a wide range of options.

Speaking of broad approval or better, beautiful color: one of the villages or hamlets that you want to visit is Ghizzano. The colorful houses, an art project by David Tremlett In 2019, create a unique atmosphere. There’s not much happening here, but if you want to have a coffee, you can do so at Panificio Campani Elisabetta, for example.

Montaione and beyond

Even ten south of Montaione, near Castelfalfi, Thomas Bogaard has pitched his proverbial tent. Castelfalfi is a little closer to the beautiful roads of the ‘Strade Bianche‘. Siena is the starting point for this and Thomas rode several laps 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. Here you’ll find a nice photo collection anyway!

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Our tips for cycling, eating, drinking and sleeping in the province of Florence and the province of Pisa

Our destination Corazzano is located on the border of the provinces of Florence and Pisa. This means that we are giving you tips for both provinces, although they are centered around Corazzano and Montaione. But that should be enough to help you get started.

Bike rental

In the region you can find many different bike rental locations. Of course you can bring your own bike. Depending on your travel destination, a gravel bike or a race bike is ideal. On the race bike you miss the strade bianche, but you get plenty of climbing back. With the gravel bike you have a different focus but you get lots of beautiful views and quiet places. Here are two tips for bike rental:

• Gippo Bike – Colle di Val d’Elsa. We received a beautiful Specialized Diverge to test it out to the very last detail. That was possible! A great bike, great service right up to the door and no problems during the ride. And with €250 per week, the price is also manageable. Are you planning to travel longer? Then it might be advisable to bring your own bike.
• During our tours we pass by San Miniato Taddei (no relation to Pogačar). A charming Specialized only rental shop. Just the interior and the friendly owner are worth a visit. As for the rental bikes themselves, we would go back again.

Restaurants for lunch and dinner

The most beautiful restaurants and the most delicious trattorias. You’ll find them everywhere in this region. We’ve had several wonderful Italian experiences, with very good food for a more than reasonable price. In the region around Corazzano and Montaione, these are our tips

Restaurants/trattoria:

• Collebrunacchi: a restaurant, but also a B&B, on top of a hill. If you go there by bike, you can literally earn your lunch. A menu with antipasti, primi, secondi and desserts – that’s what we like to go back for. After three hours of dining, we still didn’t have enough. Plus point: also great for children with a large outdoor area to play in
• Casa Masi: Something more sophisticated than Collebrunacchi, but just as tasteful, just as beautiful and also has an equally large outdoor area. Reservations are a must here, especially on weekends. Expect the classic Tuscan dishes. Pasta as the main course, with a Bistecca Fiorentina as the second course. 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’ll be eating truffles here. They’re served wonderfully under such a classic cloche, which is lifted up with a lot of theatrics. Here too, many classic dishes, with a hint of truffle almost everywhere. For the children there’s a classic menu and plenty of space to play.

Pizza and more

A quick pizza, the perfect snack in Italy, or a night out for a great price – these are our tips.

• I’rifrullo Pizzeria Bar – Montaione. Hidden under the local theater, this is the most special pizzeria, not only because of the decor. At first you think you’re in a kind of teen disco, then it seems like an underground bar, but once you’re in the garden you understand why this is a great pizza restaurant. Toppizza’s, even the Pinsa Romana (served cold, with, for example, salami). Nothing wrong with that. Fast service. menu can you here Let's have a look first.
• PizzAntica – San Miniato. On the front it looks like a kind of takeaway tent, but once you’re inside there are still aisles and stairs that lead to a larger space, with views towards Florence/Lucca and the surrounding hills. The pizzas are delicious and with a local beer or a glass of wine you’re in heaven. 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 within 10km of Corazzano, TAKE THE ROAD to this bakery. OMG. Here you’ll find the freshest croissants, which are freshly filled with pistachio cream or regular cream. Also the rice cakes, which are divine. Do you want to take something with you for lunch? Ask them if they’ll cut one of the artisan breads for you. A small piece of Focaccia Genovese is a must try. Did we already mention that you have to visit this place?
• Pasticceria Filli – Montaione – Do you want a classic Italian coffee bar experience? Then stop by here. Especially on Sundays, when everyone is grabbing something sweet just before church and for Sunday lunch. Grab a coffee, have a brioche (a collective term for croissants or other forms of puff pastry) and you can also buy cake here. Handy if your partner or child is celebrating an anniversary. Or if you just want to celebrate something.
• Bar – Pastry shop – Gelateria La Chicca: In a small square in a fortified village you will find the perfect stop after a hard climb. Coffee with a brioche or a quick ice cream. This is a lovely place with a terrace where you can sit outside in the shade. Although the real Italian of course orders at the bar, the terrace is a nice alternative. There is almost nothing happening outside the sunset here. Perfetto.

Stay

There are so many agriturismo’s in this region and other B&B facilities that you really can’t go wrong. They all have an outdoor space, a swimming pool, beautiful views, a home-based or nearby restaurant where grandma still stirs the pasta sauce. Thomas’s stay in a Nice B&B. I stayed in a agriturismo near Corazzano.

You can find the bike-friendly hotel/country house nearby Casolare Terre Rosse Consider. It is located near San Gimignano but is also close to Siena. Ideal for all the beautiful routes.

Would you rather stay in the heart of ‘Strade Bianche’? Then think of Il Molinello, In Molinello. A perfect cycling-friendly stay that is also very popular with Scandinavian cyclists.

Gravel routes in Tuscany – Montaione – Corazzano

Tuscany is currently the ultimate gravel destination in Italy. There are countless routes, in addition to the classic Strade Bianche. We have created some routes for you and we hope you will find something to your liking! The routes were accessible and up-to-date in August 2025. We maintain our routes, but we can never guarantee that everything is 100% correct.