AREZZO: The new long cycle road of Val di Chiana, the Sentiero della Bonifica that follows the Maestro della Chiana Canal is one of the most beautiful cycle tourist routes of this peninsula. The cycle/pedestrian pathway uniting Arezzo with Chiusi is a track of about 62 kms.
A natural course devoid of slopes and particularly adapt to familiar sports tourism, ideal to integrate with train transportation that serves Val di Chiana between Arezzo and Chiusi.
Val di Chiana is a rich land, with olives and vines, Extra Virgin Olive Oil and DOC wines like Valdichiana, Cortona, Vin Santo di Montefollonico, Vin Santo del Chianti Colle Aretini Occhio di Pernice.
ITINERARY:
Departure: Chiusi (SI)
Arrival: Arezzo
Distance: about 62 km
Uneven: about 20 metres
Type of road: dirt road
Difficulty level: easy
Leaving from Chiusi Scalo train station it’s easy to find the start of the pathway. Pedalling in the immense greenery of the zone surrounding Lago di Chiusi, and immediately after is Lago di Montepulciano. The lakes are particularly welcome to naturalists and birdwatchers. L’Oasi Lipu is for nature and bird lovers, with cabins and platforms available for visitors to observe the birds. The final track of Val di Chiana goes between the zones of Chianacce and Torrita di Siena and Sinalunga arriving at Foiano della Chiana, a village easily accessible from the cycle road.
Cortona, visible on the eastern hills is accessible with a deviation of about 12 kms with a final uphill cycle. From Marciano and Foiano it is possible to discover the beautiful Arezzo countryside between vineyards, farms and cypresses on the hill of Lucignano and Monte San Savino or in the medieval territory of Civitella in Val di Chiana.
The finish is about 6 kms from the centre of Arezzo. The Chiana Canal continues until it reaches the river Arno; here, crossing the river is the Buriano Bridge, with every possibility being the same that appears in the Mona Lisa, the famous Leonardo da Vinci painting.