Stage 14 · Arezzo → Sant'Antimo
- Distance
- 98 km
- Elevation gain
- 1,280 m D+
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Surface
- 38% asphalt, 62% gravel · 45% on cycle routes
- Terrain
- Chiana Valley, Orcia Valley
- Hospitality
- Hotels and B&Bs
GPX 1.1 file with the track, elevation and the abbeys as waypoints. Tracks are calculated on real roads and cycle routes (OpenStreetMap): check them on the ground before you set off.
Stage map
Map of the stage Arezzo → Sant'Antimo: track, start, finish, places to stay and abbeys
Hover the profile to see the spot on the map
Tracks calculated on real roads and cycle paths (OpenStreetMap); elevations from SRTM data — to be checked on the ground
Main climb: 6.8 km at 3.8% (up to 530 m)
Other climb: 5.6 km at 4.4% (up to 558 m)
This stage on Komoot
The same track is on the project's Komoot profile: save it in the app and ride it with voice navigation.
Overview
A great crossing of the heart of Tuscany, from Arezzo to the Val d'Orcia. The route follows the reclaimed Val di Chiana on flat cycle paths, then tackles the clay hills and white gravel roads to the Romanesque abbey of Sant'Antimo, among the olive trees of Castelnuovo dell'Abate.
Notes from the road
The white gravel roads of the Crete open up after the flat Val di Chiana. The sun beats hard with no shade between San Quirico and Sant'Antimo. Two full bottles barely suffice on a hot day. At vespers the monks sing Gregorian chant, good reason not to arrive late.
What to see
Arezzo and Piazza Grande, Sentiero della Bonifica in the Val di Chiana, Cortona on the horizon, Montepulciano, Pienza UNESCO heritage, Val d'Orcia, Abbey of Sant'Antimo
Where to sleep
Hospitality at Sant'Antimo and B&Bs in Castelnuovo dell'Abate (55-80€); Val d'Orcia agriturismo (70-95€); B&B Montalcino (75-110€)
Where to eat
Pici all'aglione, Pienza pecorino, Cinta Senese cured meats, Brunello di Montalcino and Nobile di Montepulciano
Tips
Long stage (98 km) with a rolling finale on white gravel roads. Carry water through the clay hills. At vespers the monks sing Gregorian chant: arriving in time is an unforgettable experience. In late May the Eroica Montalcino brings thousands of riders onto these white roads: check the date before you go.
Water & supplies
Bars and fountains in the Val di Chiana villages in the first half; then between San Quirico d'Orcia and Sant'Antimo about 20 km of gravel roads with no services. Full sun and no shade among the clay hills: two bottles in summer. Bar and fountain in Castelnuovo dell'Abate, above the abbey.
Places to stay on this stage
- Foresteria monastica di Sant'Antimoguesthouse
Castelnuovo dell'Abate, Montalcino (SI)- Price:
- n/a (contribution)
- Open:
- booking required (tel. 0577 286300)
- Facilities:
- 10 beds, kitchen use, refectory; no bed linen provided (bring a sleeping bag)
- Source:
- antimo.it
The abbey's guesthouse in the village of Castelnuovo dell'Abate, stage finish in the Val d'Orcia.
Abbeys on this stage
- Finish abbey: Abbazia di Sant'Antimo
An amateur, non-profit project. The tracks are indicative: everyone rides independently, at their own risk.