Gaiole in Chianti Loop Walk via Badia a Coltibuono Monastery

0.00 km – With your back to the church of Gaiole in Chianti (where Via Spaltenna joins Via Antonio Casabianca).  TURN LEFT and follow the main street to cross a stone bridge with metal railings in 80 m.  Immediately over the bridge TURN RIGHT then TURN LEFT onto Via Baccio Bandinelli da Gaiole (with butcher on left-hand side on the corner).  Look out for the red and white painted markers on the lamppost ahead. 

0.15 km – BEAR RIGHT as Via Baccio Bandinelli da Gaiole curves right.  Note the red and white markers on lamppost on the right.  There are metal railings on the right-hand side. 

0.25 km – At the T-junction TURN LEFT follow brown road sign post for Riecine.  Continue uphill on the tarred road for ~1 km. 

1.20 km – Continue on the road as it becomes a wide gravel track and curves left passed the entrance to Riecine winery on the left-hand side in ~50 m.  Stay on the main track and ignore and off-shoots. 

1.50 km – Continue STRAIGHT ON passed another entrance to Riecine on the left-hand side. 

1.70 km – A track joins from left, ignore it and continue STRAIGHT ON following the red and white markers on tree trunks and rocks. 

2.00 km – At a large red brick building on the right-hand side of the track there a traffic lights for traffic along the next narrow section of the road.  There is no pavement here so beware of any vehicles along this narrower section of track.  Continue STRAIGHT ON main track for ~1.5 km and ignore any off-shoots.

3.30 km – Where the track joins the road TURN RIGHT onto the road.  Beware of traffic on the road as there’s no pavement. 

3.40 km – TURN LEFT off the main road signposted for Badia Coltibuono.  The Chianti black rooster is on your right-hand side.  Continue to follow the road uphill to the village. 

3.50 km – TURN RIGHT as the road splits and follow the road signposted for Badia Coltibuono (1 km).

4.20 km – Arrive at Badia Coltibuono.  You can take pre-booked guided tours of the abbey or have a pre-booked wine tasting.  After having a look around return to this spot to retrace your steps down the hill. 

4.90 km – At the fork in the road BEAR LEFT with the black rooster on your left-hand side then in ~50 m continue STRAIGHT ON at cross-roads signposted for Montegrossi (1.3 km) and ascend on the road.

5.60 km – Pass the industrial quarry buildings on the right-hand side and continue STRAIGHT ON. 

5.80 km – Look up to see Castello di Montegrossi high above the the cliffs on the left-hand side and continue STRAIGHT ON. 

6.10 km – Continue STRAIGHT ON passing the Montegrossi signpost on the right-hand side.  Follow the road as it descends into Montegrossi and curves right through the village. 

6.40 km – Continue STRAIGHT ON as the tar road through the village turns into a track at the last building on the left-hand side. 

6.50 km – Continue STRAIGHT ON ignoring the track off to the left and follow the signpost foe Montelucci.  In ~ 50 m continue STRAIGHT ON at another signpost for Montelucci.

6.70 km – BEAR LEFT to follow the red and white markers on tree and pass onto Via del Rominorio.  Montelucci is up on the right. 

7.30 km – Continue STRAIGHT ON ignoring the track off to the left. 

8.20 km – BEAR LEFT keeping to the main track as a smaller track goes off to the right. 

8.60 km – At the T-junction TURN RIGHT onto another track to follow the red and white markers and the signpost for Ensoli (1.1 km).

9.10 km – TURN RIGHT onto the track to follow the red and white marker on the tree.  In ~50 m continue STRAIGHT ON ignoring a track off to the right.

9.60 km – Where the track slits (signpost to Ensoli on left) BEAR RIGHT to descend on the track. 

10.10 km – Continue STRAIGHT ON as a track joins from the left. 

10.50 km – Continue STRAIGHT ON as bedrock track ascends on the right.  Follow the red and white markers as the track descends and begins to zig-zag down the hill.

11.20 km – At the T-junction TURN RIGHT sharply and continue on the track.

12.50 km – On reaching a fence at the edge of the vineyard follow the track as it takes a sharp bend.  The hilltop village ahead is Barbischio. 

12.80 km – TURN LEFT to follow the main track beneath telephone poles. 

13.50 km – After passing a grassy open space on the left-hand side continue to the end of the track.  Continue STRAIGHT ON where the track meets the road, there is no pavement so beware of vehicles.  Follow the red and white markers beside the road for ~2 km into Gaiole in Chianti. 

14.80 km – At the cross roads continue STRAIGHT ON Via g. Maconi, there is a pavement on the left-hand side of the road. 

14.90 km – Pass the police station (Carabineri) on the left and continue STRAIGHT ON through the car park aiming for the large metal rooster ahead. 

15.00 km – At the large metal rooster TURN RIGHT and follow road signpost for Montevarchi.  Continue STRAIGHT ON until reaching the church steps where the walk began.

15.30 km – The walk finishes at the steps of the church in Gaiole in Chianti.  The pedestrianised street on the other side of the river had plenty of restaurants, cafes, some shops, and a gelateria where you can get some refreshments before heading back to the accommodation.