Val d’Orcia
Val d’Orcia, Tuscany, was recommended for cycling, and the wide-open valley and surrounding areas make for some lovely days out. I recommend you take a good map and double-check the map with the signage, as that was not always the most accurate. See below for the map we used for the area.
We stayed just outside Castiglione d’Orcia on a farm called Il Poggio. There were three other apartments with a swimming pool, washing facilities and the most magnificent views across the valley and up to the village.
Il Poggio
For this ebike trip, we set off from our farm accommodation along the Strada del Pozzo. We renamed it ‘Strada del pothole’ because rain washed some of it away and made for interesting riding. The road gave us fantastic views across the valley. In October, although the fields are empty and ploughed ready for next summer’s crops, it still provides good photo opportunities of vies that you would expect from Tuscany. The terrain was undulating if a little bumpy on the track itself. Make sure you have decent mountain bike tyres. I suggest you release some of the air in your tyres, which will make you a less uncomfortable ride.
Campagila d’Orcia
We knew from the map there was an ascent to the village of Campalia as it is at 744m. It was a bit steeper than we had thought; however, it is on a proper tarmac side road, making it much easier than on the tracks. Just take your time and plod your way up, the views are worth it at the top, and it turns out it is a UNESCO World Heritage site to boot. After an excellent coffee and brioche, we took the track around the castle and got some lovely photos.
Castiglione d’Orcia
From there, find the road to Castiglione d’Orcia, which runs along a ridge. We were expecting it to be more downhill; however, there is still a bit of a pull-up. Eventually, though, it does give you some freewheeling views further south in Tuscany. Just be careful, as the road surface is poor, and there is a lot of subsidence in places.
We stopped along the way for a picnic made from local produce, and to soak up our surroundings, we had a lovely chat with a passing Swiss chap about his experience in the area. I don’t think we have spoken to many fellow holidaymakers in years, but it’s worth it as they have many tips for places to see.
Thoughts on the route
- Take your time with the amount of up and ensure you pace yourself and your battery.
- Too much power it will eat through your reserves, and you need to get home too.
- A nice slow cadence will get you there and not put too much pressure on your legs. Plus, you get to soak up the views and have a bit of time to ponder life’s big questions.
- Take a picnic, as there are very few places to eat along this route.
Map
I recommend you take a good map and double-check the map with the signage, as that was not always the most accurate. Using Komoot or other bike mapping apps is also good but can take you on paths that haven’t been used for years and are now just used by cows and goats. My point is, be careful and try to get a recently up-to-date map that will serve you well.