Parish churches, villas and castles

From Porta Tufi the road immediately begins to descend until it reaches the valley floor, in Massetana Romana a road to cycle for about two kilometers, being very careful because of the traffic. Once we reach strada di Pescaia, turning right to strada di Montalbuccio we pedal uphill for about two kilometers. Here a stop is suggested to admire the skyline of Siena. Reaching a crossroad, we find a small church and follow the sign to Belcaro, a majestic fortified complex immersed in the greenery of a dense oak grove and enclosed by
The road begins now to descend to Provincial 73, in the Fornace area; continue on the right for a couple of kilometers and shortly after Costalpino at the Volte Alte sign (we point out a little fountain here) turn left. The road slightly downhill, for a short section in macadam, touches Volte Alte and the beautiful Villa Chigi Farnese and then rejoins the SP 73.
We have reached the small village of Volte Basse where we continue in direction to Rosia, along the provincial road, on a flat path for about two kilometers; after a short climb, take the signs to the right for Sovicille, whose municipal area is particularly rich in historical and architectural testimonies.
After about two kilometers we reach a crossroad: to visit Sovicille, a small village enclosed in a V Century wall, is necessary to go and come back for two kilometers, along the same path. Once back, we can admire the splendid parish church of San Giovanni Battista in Ponte allo Spino, one of the most interesting Romanesque buildings in the whole Sienese area.
Continuing on the plain for about a kilometer along the first road on the right, sign to Caldana. Here begins an interesting circular route of about five kilometers, almost completely free of traffic, which will lead us to discover the Romanesque church of San giusto and the castle of Poggiarello.
We reach then the Villa di Toiano, between Siena and Sovicille. The site has been known long before and together with the Palazzaccio, it marked the southwestern border of the Republic of Siena
At the end of the short loop, Siena is about 10kilometers far away. Be careful along the SP73, where it is possible to find traffic, from Volte Basse until we turn left onto Strada di Certano. After about two hundred meters, on the right, the Strada di Fornicchiaia, by macadam till the Castello di Belcaro where to take on the right, the Strada degli Agostoli,
We are approaching to the city of the Palio.

The Route

  • Length: 40,5 km
  • Altimeters: +/- 870 m
  • Slope maximum: + 11,4% / -13,2%
  • Type of road surface: mixed (dirt road, path, paved)
  • Type of bike recommended: touring – gravel – MTB