The Chianti, Tuscany’s best-known wine region, offers tougher gravel terrain than the neighbouring Crete Senesi: sharper hills, oak forest between rows of sangiovese vines, and a network of “strade bianche” connecting wine villages without following the same road for long.
A hilly route between vines and forest
From Greve in Chianti, the route climbs toward Panzano and then Radda in Chianti through scenery that alternates terraced vineyards with holm oak forest, on white gravel roads typical of the area. Expect around 65 km and 1,200 m of cumulative climbing for a full loop — noticeably tougher than the Crete Senesi route south of Siena, which stays generally smoother over a comparable distance.
Getting the ride right
A 40mm gravel tyre with some tread suits this terrain better than the Crete Senesi, since the forested sections can get loose underfoot. Wine villages punctuate the route at regular intervals, making supply stops easy — and tasting, as long as it’s saved for the end.
When to go
April to June or September to October, avoiding the hot, dry Tuscan summer that leaves the forested terrain dusty and the effort harder on an already hilly route.
Good to know
Greve in Chianti, considered the gateway to the wine region, has a choice of accommodation geared toward wine tourism, with convenient access to Florence and Siena for a trip combining cycling with sightseeing — and, for Tuscan gravel enthusiasts, a good complement to the Strade Bianche near Siena, under an hour’s drive away.
