Articolo disponibile anche in: Italian
In a little less than one month Greve in Chianti will become the “two wheels capital” thanks to the arrival in Piazza Matteotti of the Giro d’Italia chrono stage.
However the little village has always been a destination for cycling fans, both on paved and mountain bike roads.
We propose a very interesting itinerary, even if it’s quite difficult for those who are not trained enough.
The interesting thing is that this path can be a good option for those who love to walk as well, although in this case it’s a walk to do in the space of a whole day.
We are talking about a sort of loop that starts from Greve and in Greve comes back again, passing through Panzano and Montefioralle.
From the village of Greve in Chianti, we go up following the signs dirction San Michele mountain until the cemetery in the little location of Melazzano. The paved road finish soon and we continue along a dirt road from which we can enjoy a beautiful view on the landscape of the whole Val di Greve.
After a long climb through vineyards and farmhouses, we arrive on the ridge of Pian di Canonica, from here we can enjoy the view on the Valdarno and Pratomagno.
Once you reach the crossroad to Lucolena, continue climbing and keeping San Michele mountain on your right, San Michele is the top of Chianti 892mt high. Pass the building that has always housed a bar and restaurant (at the moment is closed), and continue south along steep but short rises and falls following a dirt road (path number 52) and continue along a ridge to descend steeply to the village of Panzano, where is possible to make stop at Dario Cecchini‘s shop, the famous butcher that on WeChianti writes a column entitled “Letter from Panzano”.
We start again following the sings direction Mercatale, then take on the right the road to Montefioralle, where if you are not too tired, you can make a short walk and visit this amazing medieval village. A real pearl in the heart of Chianti Classico.
Matteo Morandini