Tuscany by bike, the coast and the islands

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Description

The coast and the islands, a perfect combination, a tour from north to south in a completely green version by bike and train. This is our idea of a trip to discover Tuscany overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, a new way of discovering the most hidden and special corners of this wonderful region.

Here, nature has been very generous, offering a coastline that alternates long stretches of beaches, often unspoilt and wild, with sheer cliffs and the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago to complete the recipe for our itinerary. Other ingredients of the trip are history, which has left indelible signs of its passage, just think of the Etruscan civilisation and the Renaissance. If we add traditions and food and wine, then our trip becomes a five-sense journey.

We will touch various areas of the coast, some more anthropic and others where the imprint of man has hardly arrived, we will cycle through pine forests, Mediterranean scrub, along vineyards and olive groves, we will have extraordinary encounters with animals that live freely in the wild, we will have the sensation of feeling part of this land of Tuscany.

Programme

Pisa

Arrival at the hotel in Pisa, the city of the Piazza dei Miracoli with the majestic Duomo, the Baptistery and the world-famous Leaning Tower, once one of the four Maritime Republics that dominated the Mediterranean militarily and commercially in the Middle Ages.

Pisa – Castiglioncello – Km. 52

Today we begin our journey along the coast of Tuscany, leaving the Leaning Tower behind us to reach the ancient Via dei Cavalleggeri, the road built by the Medici family to control the entire coast of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. Many stretches today are still on the original dirt track, others have become the art of the ‘modern’ road system. We will pass through Livorno and then reach the delightful village of Castiglioncello overlooking the sea.

Castiglioncello – Piombino – km. 60

Leaving Castiglioncello behind, we head towards the production area of one of the world’s finest wines, Sassicaia, pedalling through the pine forest, along the prized vineyards and the beautiful cypress-lined avenue that leads to Bolgheri (we recommend a wine tasting here). To finish our leg today, all that remains is to pick up our bikes and reach Piombino.

Island of Elba – km. 60

Today will be dedicated to ‘a taste’ of the island of Elba, the largest of the seven islands that make up the Tuscan Archipelago National Park. We will take the ferry and after an hour’s crossing we will be ready for a tour of the Portoferraio area with its historic centre, fortresses, and the wonderful beaches of Ghiaie and Biodola, where a swim in the crystal-clear blue waters is a must. In the late afternoon we return by ferry to Piombino.

Piombino – Follonica – km. 35

Today the route will take us to the Maremma, but first we cannot miss a passage in the Gulf of Baratti (a visit to the Etruscan necropolis is recommended) and then on to Follonica, the city of cast iron, founded by Leopold II of Lorraine at the same time as the Royal and Imperial Foundries of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. We will cycle along the entire gulf coast from Piombino to Punta Ala, following in some stretches the original route of the Via dei Cavalleggeri, with the island of Elba, Montecristo, Cerboli and Palmaiola on the horizon. We recommend the diversions to Cala Violina, one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in Italy. Why this name? Because walking on the grains of white sand, you can hear a sound like the notes of a violin!

Follonica – Grosseto – km. 61

On this day we are about to arrive in the capital of the Maremma, Grosseto, surrounded by its majestic walls, still intact and enclosing the heart of the ancient city. The Maremma is the land wrested from the sea and the marsh, a land that’s still wild and that has kept its rural traditions intact. Before arriving in Grosseto, however, we will make a diversion to Punta Ala, the splendid seaside resort immersed in the woods of holm oaks and oaks, and then arrive in Castiglione della Pescaia, an ancient fishing village, dominated from above by its fortified castle, today one of the most renowned holiday destinations in Tuscany.

Note: we also recommend a diversion to Cala Violina, one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in Italy. Why this name? Because walking on the grains of white sand, you can hear a sound like the notes of a violin! To reach the beach you will have to take a dirt road with some climbs that in some sections can be challenging for untrained cyclists with muscle bikes, easily overcome using e-bikes.

Grosseto

Individual departure from Grosseto or extension of stay.