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Italy

Tuscany to Rome

Guided Mountain Bike Tour

Grade

1
2
3
4
5

Duration

8 days

Prices from

$2,385 P.P.
Italy

Tuscany to Rome

Guided Mountain Bike Tour

Grade

1
2
3
4
5

Duration

8 days

Prices from

$2,385 P.P.
BOOK NOW
Join us on this thrilling mountain biking holiday through the trails of central Italy. We trace the steps of the Via Francigena, an ancient route between the northern regions of Europe and the south, carrying merchants, armies and pilgrims from as far as Canterbury to Rome and on to Jerusalem.
Now the Via Francigena is a network of trails, roads and tracks that are followed not only by faithful pilgrims on their way to Rome, but also walkers and bikers who are looking for an exciting journey.
We have chosen to start our adventure in Siena, one of the gems of Tuscany, a medieval city packed full of art, architecture and fantastic Italian cuisine.
Heading south, we'll follow the Via Francigena as much as possible, exploring the paths, off-road trails and singletrack along the route, making this a great mountain biking journey through stunning Tuscany. The route joins up some of the major Tuscan highlights, such as Siena, Montiriggioni and San Quirico.
Staying in a range of good quality small hotels and agriturismi, you'll experience real Italian hospitality all with delicious regional cuisine. As we leave Tuscany and enter Lazio, the landscape changes as well as the feel of the towns. The journey south through varying landscapes and changing terrain, leads to the outskirts of Rome where our own pilgrimage comes to a dramatic end, riding into St Peter's Square.
If you wish to do this journey in a more leisurely manner, on non-technical terrain and on e-bikes we have a Leisure cycling option you'll love! 
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Highlights

  • Superb Tuscan accommodation and classic landscapes
  • Sampling the best wines of Chianti and Montepulciano
  • Riding the ridge of Creti Senesi
  • Roman roads, superb singletrack and forest fun
  • Riding all the way to Rome and arriving in St Peter’s Square

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I’ve been on many Skedaddle trips and this is right up there with the best!

Mark, UK

Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival Pisa - Transfer to Siena
Non Riding Day

You will be met at Pisa airport and transferred to Siena (approx 2 hours). We’ll have time to build our bike before a briefing on the exciting week to come. A first taste of Italian cuisine will mark the start of our journey.

Day 2
Siena to San Quirico
34 Miles / 55 Kms Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Ascent: 850 Metres Approx.

We’ll leave Siena through the ancient town gates and begin our journey south on the Via Francigena and into the Crete Sienesi. Arriving near the ancient Etruscan hamlet of Murlo, time permitting we’ll come off the Via Francigena route and enjoy a fun ride on narrow trails by the Crevole River then up a former mining railway track to Murlo.

Picking up the Via again, we’ll head to Buonconvento were we’ll have time to stop for a refreshing break and visit to the fortified walls. The next section over rolling hills will lead us to San Quirico, a medieval hamlet with a quaint centre were we stop for the night.

Day 3
San Quirico to Radicofani
25 Miles / 40 Kms Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast, dinner
  • Ascent: 1,000 Metres Approx.

From San Quirico, we head towards the Orcia valley on a roller coaster track before descending on a fun trail to the medieval hamlet of Bagno Vignoni with its healing baths and water nymphs. After resting and taking time to explore the hot water springs, we’ll head right into the centre of the UNESCO heritage site of Valle D‘Orcia.

From here we’ll start a steady climb towards Radicofani along some well surfaced strade bianche (Italy’s famous white roads). Once here we spend some time in Radicofani relaxing and absorbing the local sites before checking into our accommodation.

Day 4
Radicofani to Bolsena
34 Miles / 55 Kms Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch
  • Ascent: 750 Metres Approx.

From Radicofani we bike along one of the most exciting sections of the Via Francigena. Leaving the hamlet behind we’ll ride along the old Via Cassia, the Roman route to Rome, now a cobbled trail surrounded by stunning scenery and dominated by Monte Amiata. A break is taken in Acquapedente, famous for the Romanesque crypt beneath the Basilica del Santo Sepolcro where, according to tradition, some stones bathed in the blood of Christ are thought to have been kept.

Getting back in the saddle we continue biking towards Lazio and Lake Bolsena. The view of the lake will open up as we descend through meadows scattered with olive trees, until we reach Bolsena itself. There we spend time in the evening exploring its fortress and narrow streets.

Day 5
Bolsena to Vetralla
34 Miles / 55 Kms Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
  • Ascent: 950 Metres Approx.

A stunning route that’s initially on a mix of forest trails and singletrack, through woods and olive groves. As we descend into the lower plains we’ll cross an area famous for the production of olive oil, before arriving in Montefiascone where we take a cappuccino break in one of its lovely piazzas.

The next section into Viterbo takes us across cultivated countryside, with the option of stopping off at the thermal waters of Bagnaccioa, before proceeding towards Viterbo. From here we carry on to Vetralla, where the ride ends.

Day 6
Vetralla to Campagnano
31 Miles / 50 Kms Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch
  • Ascent: 600 Metres Approx.

After exploring Vetralla, we ride through the green countryside of Lazio, to reach Sutri. This is a small town rich in attractions and includes the Roman amphitheatre which is not to be missed.

Moving on, we pass the waterfalls of Mount Gelato as we head to the lovely town of Campagnano.

Day 7
Campagnano to Rome
28 Miles / 45 Kms Approx.
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch
  • Ascent: 650 Metres Approx.

Leaving Campagnano we enter the Park of Veio and the Valle del Sorbo on a stunning singletrack, before stopping at Formello village. Along the way we’ll be able to see the sanctuary of the Madonna del Sorbo and the old town centre of Formello, with its fine medieval buildings.

From here we take the cyclepath beside the River Tevere, which will lead us to the gates of the Vatican City and St. Peter Square where our journey ends.

Day 8
Departure from Rome
Non Riding Day
  • Meals: Breakfast

Time for one last delicious breakfast, before transferring to the airport for flights home (approx 1 hour). Ciao!

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The Cycling

Terrain

This beautiful journey to Rome follows the Via Francigena as closely as possible throughout the week. The Via Francigena makes its way south on a multitude of different surfaces. Back roads, forest tracks, strade bianche, country lanes through fields and single tracks.

More often than not the terrain is forgiving, following well surfaced tracks and routes but every day offers some more technical MTB challenges where the terrain is rolling and some steeper climbs and descents should be expected.

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Mountain Biking Grade

1
2
3
4
5
Grade 3 : Moderate

Distances of 25-50 miles / 40-80 kms per day

Aimed at regular cyclists who have a degree of off road experience

Some moderate and difficult technical sections

Our grading guidelines have been carefully created based on our many years of cycling experience, as well as customer feedback from our trips. Of course, if you're still struggling to figure out where you fit on the scale, do feel free to give us a quick call and we'll be more than happy to help!

For more information about our grading system click here.

Is this suitable for you?

If you have some experience of off road riding on a variety of terrain, and would like to do more, a grade 3 trip could be for you. These rides give you elements of our higher grade trips but at a manageable level with sections of singletrack (narrow trails wide enough for one rider) and shorter steep sections (both up and down) which require more bike handling ability. A day’s ride can see you on the trails for around 8 hours (with breaks) and covering between 25-50 miles depending on the terrain. If you’re generally fit and manage to ride regularly this could be the level for you.

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Excellent holiday – I don’t bother looking at other tour companies!

Nicky, South Africa

Dates & Prices

Private Departures

Private Departures

Are you keen to only travel with your family or friends? Struggling to find the right date? Well, we can organise a private departure for this tour and tailor aspects to suit your group's specific needs. Contact our friendly team and we'll help you turn your dream into reality.

Whats Included Tick

A) Accommodation (shared twin / double rooms) in hotels / agriturismi

B) Meals as per itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)

C) Full tour service, including Skedaddle guides

D) Unless stated, at least one leader qualified in first aid

E) Support vehicle and luggage transfers

F) Airport transfer on scheduled arrival day from Pisa airport (PSA)

G) Airport transfer on scheduled departure day to Rome Fiumicino airport (FCO)

What's not Included Cross

A) Bike rental (available if required)

B) Flights and charges for travelling with your bike (if applicable)

C) Single room (available if required)

D) Travel insurance

E) Meals not stated in the itinerary

F) Personal clothing and equipment

G) Personal expenditure (bar bills, hotel facilities etc.)

H) Entrance fees to museums and other attractions en route

I) Airport transfers on days other than the scheduled arrival / departure days

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The Essentials

Travel Options

This tour starts in Siena and finishes in Rome.

Group airport transfers are included in the cost of your holiday and both the arrival transfer from Pisa (PSA) and return transfer to Rome Fiumicino (FCO) will be co-ordinated with the group flight schedule.

We will provide you with details of suitable flight/arrival/departure schedules as flight timetables become available.

Please check with us before making any travel arrangements to ensure we have reached the minimum number required to guarantee your holiday and to ensure your arrangements fit with our scheduled transfers.

Please note If you make travel arrangements that fall outside of the scheduled transfer windows, there may be an additional charge for individual transfers.

Accommodation

The majority of our accommodation (shared twin or double rooms) will usually be ensuite in 3 star guest houses, agriturismos or hotels. Occasionally accommodation will include a swimming pool.

The fabulous hospitality will be one of the highlights of your week.

Bike Hire

If you don’t own a suitable bike or would prefer to avoid bringing your own we have hardtail bikes available to rent. These bikes are typically very good mountain bikes featuring front suspension, disc brakes and good quality components.

We can include a helmet and all necessary spares for the trip. Please request helmets at the time of booking.

If you choose to rent a bike from us you are welcome to bring your own saddle with you, and if you would like to use SPD/clipless pedals you will need to bring these with you.

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