Nature & Outdoors · On your doorstep
Walking in Chianti:
explore on foot
Chianti is a landscape to experience with all your senses, to walk through slowly and discover around every bend. Gentle hills covered in vineyards and olive groves, oak woods, cypress trees and white gravel roads linking farms and old parish churches make it ideal for enjoying the outdoors surrounded by beauty.
The white gravel roads
Chianti's white gravel roads are well known to cyclists thanks to Strade Bianche, the celebrated race held each March from Siena. These routes are also perfect for walking and horse riding. Stroll along one at sunset, as the light turns the vineyards gold, for an experience you will remember.
💡 When to go
Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–November) are ideal. Spring brings flowering meadows and green vineyards; autumn brings the grape harvest and colourful foliage. Summer is beautiful but hot, so head out at dawn or sunset.
Trails and suggested routes
The area has a network of trails marked by the CAI, the Italian Alpine Club, and routes linking villages, churches and wineries. No mountaineering skills are needed: most are suitable for everyone, including children.
- Greve in Chianti circular walk — Around 12 km, with moderate climbs, vineyards and views over the Greve valley
- Via del Chianti — A walking and cycling route linking Florence and Siena through historic villages
- Pieve di San Leolino trail — A short, atmospheric walk through ancient olive groves to an 11th-century Romanesque church
- Way of St Francis — A section of the Franciscan route through Chianti towards Arezzo
- White gravel roads by bike — Best explored on a gravel or mountain bike: ask us for routes from The Colours of Chianti
On horseback through the hills
Chianti has a long equestrian tradition. Riding schools and farms in the area offer outings for all abilities, from beginners to experienced riders. Following a trail through the vineyards on horseback gives you a wonderfully different perspective on the landscape.
"Walking in Chianti is a way to make peace with the world."
What to bring
For longer walks, bring hiking boots or sturdy closed-toe shoes, plenty of water, sun protection in summer and an extra layer for cool spring and autumn mornings. For cycling, bring a helmet, pump and repair kit: the white gravel roads are beautiful but can be tough on inner tubes.