{"id":24423,"date":"2025-11-13T13:31:49","date_gmt":"2025-11-13T12:31:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/?p=24423"},"modified":"2026-10-05T07:44:52","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T07:44:52","slug":"is-tuscany-really-the-best-gravel-destination-spoiler-yes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/en\/verhalen\/is-toscane-echt-de-beste-gravel-bestemming-spoiler-ja","title":{"rendered":"Is Tuscany really the best gravel destination? (spoiler: yes!)"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\u2019s your preference. La vita \u00e8 bella in Tuscany. Can you get closer to the gravel sky? Tuscany is the ultimate gravel destination in Italy, at least that\u2019s what we think.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Is<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Is<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Is<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"Is<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Is<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A different pace<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>, (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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/em> Good night<\/em>. 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Via Francigena<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In this piece of Tuscany, west of the Chianti region and east of the \u2018Terre di Pisa\u2019, it\u2019s all about the Via Francigena. This ancient pilgrimage route that runs through Europe from Canterbury (!) has the most beautiful route. between Florence and Rome<\/a>. It is a route for both walkers as cyclists<\/a>. 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Is<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Is<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Is<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The route is well signposted, with signs for both walkers and cyclists. If you follow the bike signs, you\u2019ll get more out of the north-east, near Castelfiorentino. Here you follow the Provincial Road<\/em> 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 \u2018pellegrino\u2019s\u2019. 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have fully explored the stretch between San Miniato and Gambassi Terme. Both northwards and southwards. Now you tell me: isn\u2019t this what you want? Do you want to cycle the entire route? Then start in Florence and finish at the Vatican. Or if you\u2019re 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Via
The Via Francigena at Corazzano over the Poggio Tagliato <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Vineyards,
The vineyards near the Via Meliana Gambassi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Triangolo Verde \u2013 Terre di Pisa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The strategic position of Corazzano pays off in many ways. Through asphalt roads and a long, white gravel road, I reach Legoli. Triangolo Verde<\/a>. This can best be described as an artist\u2019s 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\u2019re at the gate, you won\u2019t be able to get it done in time. You can reserve your entrance (for free) via this link.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you leave the triangle literally lying to the left, you quickly turn the terrain from \u2018Land of Pisa<\/a>\u2018 On. This is where explorer Andrea has already been. If a picture says a thousand words, then let\u2019s add two more to complete the picture. Here you\u2019ll 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\u2019ll often encounter them, so you have a wide range of options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/strong> In 2019, create a unique atmosphere. There\u2019s not much happening here, but if you want to have a coffee, you can do so at Panificio Campani Elisabetta, for example. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Is<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Is<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Montaione and beyond<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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 \u2018Strade Bianche<\/a>\u2018. 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\u2019ll find a nice photo collection anyway!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The text continues after the photos!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Is<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Is<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Is<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Is<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Is<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Is<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Is<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Is<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Is<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Is<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Is<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Tuscany<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Our tips for cycling, eating, drinking and sleeping in the province of Florence and the province of Pisa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bike rental<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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:<\/p>\n\n\n\n