Villages, parishes, and woods: bike rides to discover the Apennines
There are several itineraries that you can do riding a mountain bike on the Pistoia Apennines, in the middle of nature and also passing from one historical village to another, seeing churches and other historical places. A “slow” way to know the territory and appreciate its beauty, both from a naturalistic and a historical point of view. Not to mention the flavors of local products that can be found in shops and restaurants, for a pleasant stop.
From San Marcello Piteglio to Maresca. San Marcello Piteglio – Gavinana – Maresca. Length 8 kilometers, elevation difference 186 meters, travel time 2 hours. The type of road surface is 60% asphalt, 40% gravel road; the recommended type of bike is mountain bike. It is an itinerary of medium-easy difficulty, with some steep climbs. The recommended period is from April to October, with good road condition. There are no bike service points. On the route you can visit: Le Piastre and Prunetta, the villages of Gavinana and Maresca, the Ferrucciano Museum in Gavinana and, continuing from Maresca, the forest of Teso. On the route there are also some points of the Pistoia Mountain Ecomuseum. Water supply is easy due to the presence of springs along the way. Itinerary and info on: http://www.pistoiaturismo.it/img2/Immagini/esperienze/bike01_ANELLO-DE-LE- PIASTRE.pdf
Ring of Sambuca Pistoiese. Passo della Collina Vecchia – Casale – Castello di Sambuca – Taviano. Length 48 kilometers, uphill elevation 1054 meters, travel time 6 hours. The type of road surface is half asphalt, half dirt. The type of bike recommended is a mountain bike of good quality. It is a difficult route for the difference in level and for some technical passages. The route, recommended from May to October, partly identifies with the ancient route of the Via Francesca, a secondary branch of the Via Francigena. On the way you can meet the ancient abbey of San Salvatore di Fontana Taona and the Castle of Sambuca and, deviating to km 46,5 you can visit Spedaletto. Water supply is easy due to the presence of springs. There are no repair points and bike assistance. Itinerary and info on: http://www.pistoiaturismo.it/img2/Immagini/esperienze/bike04_ANELLO-DI- SAMBUCA.pdf
Ring of Le Piastre. Le Piastre – Prunetta – Casamarconi – Le Piastre. Length 8 kilometers, elevation difference 186 meters, travel time 2 hours. The route is of medium difficulty because of the first stretch of climb on dirt road. In addition to being a route with beautiful views, in Le Piastre you can visit the Ghiacciaie del Reno, also arriving by bike from the Pistoia Mountain Ecomuseum. Type of road: 60% asphalt, 40% white road. The type of bike to prefer is the mountain bike and the track is recommended from April to October. Water supply is easy due to the presence of springs along the route, there are no bike service points. Itinerary and info on: http://www.pistoiaturismo.it/img2/Immagini/esperienze/bike01_ANELLO-DE-LE- PIASTRE.pdf
Ring of San Marcello Piteglio. San Marcello – Spignana – Lancisa – Lizzano – La Lima – Mammiano – San Marcello Piteglio. Length 17 kilometers, elevation gain 325 meters, travel time 3 hours. The road is completely asphalted. A bicycle with gear shift is recommended. Optimal period: from May to October. In addition to seeing Cutigliano, you can visit the Museum of the People of the Apennines in Rivoreta, where you can learn about the ancient crafts. Info: http://www.pistoiaturismo.it/img2/Immagini/esperienze/bike02_ANELLO-DI- CUTIGLIANO.pdf
From Avaglio to Pistoia. Avaglio – Femminamorta – Casore del Monte – Pontelungo – Pistoia. Length: 24 kilometres, ascent of 212 metres, travel time 3.5 hours. The itinerary connects Valdinievole to Pistoia with a path that allows you to cross quiet villages on the green hills. The difficulty level is medium because of the first ascent from Avaglio to Femminamorta; the route is completely paved. A bike with gear shift is recommended; the best period is from April to November. Taking a detour, you can visit the former convent of Giaccherino, turning right uphill at km 20,100. Recommended in summer. Among the points of interest there is the village of Casore, the ancient Pieve a Celle, and the historic center of Pistoia. Water supply is easy. In Pistoia there are mechanical assistance points. Info:
From Avaglio to Marliana. Avaglio – Goraiolo – Panicagliora – Marliana. Length 11.5 km, vertical drop 55 meters, travel time 1.5 hours. It is an easy route, also suitable for beginners, on asphalt road, and it requires a bike with gear shift. The recommended period is from April to October. In the path you can visit the church and the village of Marliana and the Ethnographic Museum. Water supply is easy due to the presence of springs along the way. Info: http://www.pistoiaturismo.it/img2/Immagini/esperienze/bike08_DA-AVAGLIO-A- MARLIANA.pdf
Ring of the Macchia Antonini. Femminamorta – Margine di Momigno – Macchia Antonini – Calamecca – Femminamorta. Length 14.8 kilometers, uphill altitude 330 meters, travel time 3 hours. It is an itinerary of medium difficulty because of the slopes of the stretch between Calamecca and Femminamorta, a bike with gear shift is recommended; the roadbed is paved. The roads and villages of Calamecca and Macchia Antonini make this route interesting. Water supply is easy due to the presence of springs along the way. Recommended time of year: from April to November. Track on: http://www.pistoiaturismo.it/img2/Immagini/esperienze/bike05_ANELLO-MACCHIA- ANTONINI.pdf
Ring of Pracchia. Pracchia – Frassignoni – Pracchia. Length 18.8 kilometers, ascent 550 meters, travel time 2.5 hours. It is an itinerary of medium difficulty, given the demanding altitude, but the effort is repaid by the beauty of the quiet villages and beech and fir forests. Among the points of interest there is the Ecomuseo della Montagna Pistoiese. The recommended type of bike is mountain bike, while the recommended period is from May to October. The area may be susceptible to landslides and therefore variations to the route are possible. The road surface is 40% asphalt, 60% gravel road. Water supply is easy due to the presence of springs along the way; in Campo Tizzoro there is a mechanical assistance point. Track on: http://www.pistoiaturismo.it/img2/Immagini/esperienze/bike03_ANELLO-DI- PRACCHIA.pdf
Historic center of Pistoia and first hill. Length 17.4 kilometers, vertical drop 85 meters, travel time 2 hours. It is an easy route, recommended all year round and accessible with any bike, which allows you to see the historic center of Pistoia, the churches, and the historical villas near Pistoia. Water supply is easy, the mechanical assistance points can be found in Pistoia. Type of road: 98% asphalt, 2% dirt road. Info:
http://www.pistoiaturismo.it/img2/Immagini/esperienze/bike07_CENTRO-STORICO-E- PRIMA-COLLINA.pdf
Small ring pistoiese. Pistoia – Casalguidi – Badia a Pacciana – Chiesina Montalese – Pontenuovo – Pistoia. Length 37 kilometers, ascent 130 meters, travel time 3 hours. You can do it with any type of bike at any time of the year, the difficulty is medium, but the road is mostly plain and therefore suitable for those less trained.
The pavement is almost entirely asphalted (99% asphalt, 1% dirt). Areas of particular interest are: the historic centre of Pistoia, the parish churches in the countryside such as the Church of Candeglia and the Church of Sant’Alessio, the nurseries, and the village of Badia a Pacciana, where there is an ancient monastic complex. Type of road: 99% asphalt, 1% white road. The mechanical assistance points are both in Pistoia and Casalguidi. Track on:
http://www.pistoiaturismo.it/img2/Immagini/esperienze/bike13_PICCOLO-ANELLO- PISTOIESE.pdf
Big ring pistoiese. The route crosses Pistoia, Casalguidi, Quarrata, Agliana, Pontenuovo, Montale and then return to Pistoia. It is a ring of 60 kilometers, with an altitude difference of 285 meters and an average difficulty. On the way you can find many sites of interest, including various churches and parish churches and the protected area of La Querciola. There is a dangerous intersection in Piazza Treviso. To be covered by mountain bike, e-bike or road bike. Type of road: 98% asphalt, 2% white road. Recommended period: all year round. Water supply is easy, while mechanical assistance points are in Pistoia, Casalguidi, Quarrata, Agliana. Info:
http://www.pistoiaturismo.it/img2/Immagini/esperienze/bike12_GRANDE_ANELLO_PISTOIESE.pdf