Someone called her shy Val de Mersebut it is a land that jealously tries to preserve its authentic atmosphere from the invasion of tourists.
THE Merse Riverwhich crosses it, gave its name to a vast space which, from the heart of the Montagnola Senese reached the south of the valleys of Elsa and of Cecina.
Its six municipalities – Elsa's Casole, Radicondoli, Sight cover, Monticiano, Murlo And Sovicille – they seem to float in a green and ocher ocean, moved by ever-changing hills and landscapes reshaped with the seasons.
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What to do in Val di Merse
THE Grand Tour of Val di Merse
A red thread it binds them and guides them towards a slow discovery, to the rhythm of the pedals. This is the Grand Tour of Val di Merse. Cycle route 173 kilometers awarded in 2020 among the three best in Italy byItalian Green Road Award.
The route develops entirely on secondary roads and little traffic, and combines uncontaminated nature with small villages.
THE Grand Tour of Val di MerseIn addition, it is dotted with structures suitable for bicycleswhich allow you to benefit from thelocal gastronomy and wines and be supported from a technical point of view.
“From the mechanical workshop to rental, from luggage transport to the assistance of expert guides, those who want to pedal without worries have found the right place.” Explains Andrea Rossi, one of the creators of the Grand Tour and organizer of the Val di Merse Cycle Tour, a major cycling event at amateur level.
An excellent opportunity to discover the regionbe able to choose, in addition to the classic route cycle tourism, between the excursion to Mountain bikingTHE ecological bike and the route designed for gravel bikessuitable for bicycles designed for off-road travel.
A stone's throw fromancient medieval convent of Sant'Agostinohere are the charging stations for those who travel with electric bikes. “There is one in each municipality affected by the Bike touras well as maps and information points so you always know where you are,” says Rossi.
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What to see in Val di Merse
Departure from Sovicille
There is no real starting point for Grand Tour. In fact, the circular route between highs and lows of the hills covers a total elevation of three thousand meters. But many choose Sovicille.
In addition to medieval villagein fact, the surroundings offer a wealth of attractions among which the parish churches of. Saint John the Baptist has Spino Bridge and of Rosie.
It's everyone daisy chain routeswith arrival and departure from each of the six municipalities concerned. I am short routes, around 30 kilometerswho guide the cycle tourist in complete peace and quiet to discover the region.
Departure from Murlo
The one who starts from Murlowhere the Etruscan Archaeological Museum (museisenesi.org) is essential, allows you to visit the village of Buonconventoon the route of the old mining railway which runs along the Crevole streamamong the cypresses Sienese Cretes and a stone's throw from Montalcino.
Departure from Chiusdino
From Sight coverinstead you reach the iconic open-air abbey of San Galgano with the neighboring hermitage of Montésiépi. Legendary places with a thousand-year history, such as that of the castle-village of Frosiniformer residence of the counts of Ghérardesca.
You cycle between them metal hillswhich in spring transform into restful carpets of intense green, and a few meters from the ground the earth boils with the heat of the water. geothermal what they did Radicondoli a sustainable village and others low environmental impact. Among his brick houses and his narrow streets you can also breathe the air of art, music And culture.
Indeed, it is the city where the composer spent many years of his life. Luciano Berio, and where every summer – between the squares, in the parish churches, on the hills – a famous festival of theater and figurative arts takes place (radicondoliarte.org).
What to eat in Val di Merse
Sumptuous table
Finally, the great protagonists are the excellences food and wine of the territory. Between Cinta Senese charcuterie, cheeses, locally produced oilsOr red like the Chianti or the Montalcinoyou can stop off at the many farms that join the Grand Tour project.
These, as well as accommodation, offer various services aimed at cycle tourists.
Elsa's Casole
An energy that can also be felt Elsa's Casolewhere the Grand Tour crosses the dynamic historic center, a stone's throw from the collegiate church of Santa Maria Assunta with its facade in red bricks and sandstone blocks.
In these regions, the presence of cyclists is common, so much so that some wine bars and taverns provide spaces to store bicycles.
We have the feeling that the Grand Tour has contributed over the years to creating a strong sense of belonging among enthusiasts and, perhaps even more, among those who offer hospitality and services.
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These streets leave a mark. Not only in memory, thanks to the emotions they can provide, but also on paper: each cycle tourist is in fact issued with a travel diary to show in the shops of the different municipalities.
A sort of passport for the ambassadors of an entire territory, witnesses to the union between freedom and beauty that can be experienced while cycling in the Val di Merse.
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READ ALSO: Weekend in the Val di Merse: on the road from Sovicille to the Abbey of San Galgano
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