Chianti and Tuscany out of the beaten track, by car, cycling or hiking

Landscape between Panzano in Chianti and Villa le Barone

Do you wish to discover Chianti and Tuscany out of the beaten track? Do you wish to discover it touring with your car, cycling, or hiking? As you prefer! Villa le Barone has prepared for you six car itineraries that will take you on small roads to visit medieval and Renaissance villages, castles, churches and abbeys, and will offer to you breathtaking views on the Tuscan landscapes.

We have also prepared a number of cycling routes descriptions, and we can loan 2 mountain bikes free of charge. But you might opt to rent electric bikes, more comfortable for the hilly Chianti roads! Do you prefer hiking? Then you will also find 8 detailed itineraries of different length. We also suggest typical trattorias to stop for lunch, or we can prepare a picnic that you can enjoy in front of a magnificent panorama!

Let me describe the 7 kilometers hiking itinerary we have prepared that will bring you to a small hermitage, “San Pietro alle Stinche”. You follow the road towards the center of Panzano in Chianti, with beautiful views on olive trees and vineyards. At the intersection at 1 km, you turn right, on the dirt road indicated “Volpaia”, “San Pietro alle Stinche” . You continue on this dirt road for 1km 50, on the left you have a cypress raw, and on the right superb views on

the Chianti hills and vineyards. Along the road admire a small tabernacle as you find so many in Tuscany! Then you arrive at a cross roads with a viewpoint. On the left, you can see Greve in Chianti. If you wish to rest, there is a picnic table. Then take the road on the right towards “San Pietro alle Stinche”, and follow the road which goes slightly down for about 1km ( with views on Villa le Barone ), and finally in the forest.

Tuscany Chianti landscape

Enjoy the road sign on the left representing a happy monk! This road leads you to the Hermitage “Eremo di San Pietro alle Stinche” that you discover on the right, below, hidden in the greenery, next to a small brook (there is a small parking lot). Take the small path that leads to the entrance of the 14th century church, and admire the little fountain on the right. This is a place where you feel peace and sacredness permeating every moment. The Hermitage, founded by the charismatic figure of Father Giovanni Vannucci (1913-1984), theologian and writer, is a place of prayer, ecumenical dialogue and listening. You can push the door next to the church. It is always opened. You will be welcomed in the beautiful common room by one of the three monks who are continuing life as Father Vanucci had defined it, dedicated to prayer, meditation, work, dialogue with other religions. From this beautiful common room, you can go inside the small church, a place where you can recollect. Afterwards, you can continue on the same path where you can see some of the sculptures that Dario Cecchini has put on the way to his home. In any case you have you go back through the same road. Returning offers other beautiful viewpoints! Back in Villa le Barone, it is time to go to the infinity heated pool, and to have a nice drink!

Tuscany is not only Florence, Siena and San Gimignano, and the itineraries we provide to our guests, be it by car or by bike or hiking, will allow them to discover small Romanesque churches, ancient hamlets and medieval castles, and to soak in the wonderful Chianti scenery.