Giro di Brunello di Montalcino

With its medieval villages and cypress-lined avenues winding through vineyards, southern Tuscany is the perfect place for a relaxing guided walking or cycling holiday. Casa Vacanze Podere Santa Pia is located in a strategic position, on a hill overlooking both the Val d'Orcia and the Valle d’Ombrone. A winding scenic road, just outside the village of Castiglioncello Bandini, is leading to this former cloister, hidden in a seduced valley.
There are many things to do in this fascinating oasis of nature and culture. Numerous towns and villages offer a treasure trove of history and art waiting to be discovered. Hiking in the beautiful surrounding hills is a perfect choice. We also selected some memorable mtb trails a little further away in the Val d'Orcia, where you can walk or cycle through some of the most famous wine growing areas of Europe, the Brunello di Montalcino wine-region.

The giro di Brunello

The Giro di Brunello is situated north of Podere Santa Pia and starts a little outside the urban center of Montalcino, near Poggio Civitella on the SP14, the provincial road Traversa dei Monti. Just ahead of the Agriturismo Le Ragnaie there is a dirt road (strada bianca), which is the starting point of our itinerary. There is also a small car park.

The trail

Along the strada bianca or dirt road starting in front of La Regnaie, you pass Podere il Cocco. Just before arriving at Villa a Tolli, you turn left for a fairly challenging stretch (presence of many stones and holes) downhill. After a few km, you arrive at the Abbey of Sant"Antimo, the route laps it for a good stretch, then continue towards Castelnuovo Abate. Once up to the village you go down to resume a smooth white road that after about 9 km leads to Sant'Angelo in Colle. After having gone up to the village, it comes down again but before entering the SP140, turn left onto a narrow road with signs towards Tenuta Il Poggione. After about 2 km, pay attention, turn right onto a narrower road, bounded at its entrance by a bar (usually open). The detour is not well known but is still about fifty meters before the turn towards Tenuta Il Poggione. This stretch takes us through beautiful vineyards and oaks until you cross again the SP140 that is only crossed, to immediately take the climb (dirt) that leads to Argiano. Here it is possible to make a short detour to see the homonymous Castle (private), as well as the beautiful stately villa of the estate. Continue for 3/4 km along this dirt road until you cross the SP117 provincial road la Maremmana. Turn left and then immediately right towards the municipal road of Camignano. After about 2 km you turn right again along a dirt road to the Castel Giocondo estate. You still climb steadily and decisively for about 5 km, passing Lamaione and Carrione and arriving at Poggio Nacciarello. From there, turn right onto the provincial road SP103 (dirt road) of Castiglion del Bosco which will take you about 5 km to the SP14 - Provincial Road Traversa dei Monti. We will then turn right and return after a couple of km to the starting point.(3)