routes / Out of town

By mountain bike through the chestnuts of the Ombrone Valley

Ride through breathtaking landscapes, local history, and nature

Pistoia

Home / itinerari / By mountain bike through the chestnuts of the Ombrone Valley

routes

Out of town

Pistoia

length

25 Km

Difference in altitude

1100 m

Means of transport

MTB

A challenging route designed for experienced cyclists eager to embark on an adventure to discover the Montagna Pistoiese.

This mountain bike route is a technical and stimulating journey through some of the historic villages of the Montagna Pistoiese, areas where chestnuts have always been a vital resource for the local community.

The journey begins at the main square of Piteccio, just a few kilometers north of Pistoia. From here, the ride climbs toward the small village of Fabbiana until reaching the intersection with SS 64. A short dirt path then leads to the località Signorino, where there is a fountain to refill water bottles.

The ascent continues up to Collina before joining a dirt road leading to the first unique trail of the route: sentiero Boia, which takes riders to the località Lagoni. Here, the climb resumes toward Collina, before joining another trail called “La Conca”, which descends down to Valdi.

From Valdi, the ride continues with an asphalt climb toward Signorino. After about 20 minutes, riders can access another downhill single track: “La Matta”. This trail leads to Castagno, a charming open-air museum village, and then continues toward the Paterno tunnel, where another fountain can be found.

Turning right and tackling a short climb, riders enter another relatively wide trail called “Capriolo”, which leads to the Piteccio train station, located just above the village.

An unforgettable experience combining stunning landscapes, local history, and technical trails, perfect for adventurers seeking a mountain bike journey immersed in the natural beauty of the Montagna Pistoiese.

Curated by AVDO Trail Area – Pistoia

Stages Itinerary

Pistoia

stage 1

Pistoia

Pistoia, a city of art, boasts treasures within its medieval walls. Piazza del Duomo houses the Cathedral of San Jacopo, Palazzo degli Anziani, and Palazzo del Podestà. Piazza della Sala, a historic and vibrant hub, features the Pozzo del Leoncino, a food market, and trattorias. Romanesque gems include San Giovanni Fuorcivitas and Sant’Andrea, while Renaissance highlights are the Basilica della Madonna dell’Umiltà and Spedale del Ceppo. Museums span ancient to modern art, including Pistoia Sotterranea and the Marino Marini Museum. Beyond the walls, explore the Medici Fortress, Villa Puccini, and the Zoological Garden.

Castagno di Piteccio

Pistoia

stage 2

Castagno di Piteccio

Founded around 1600, the village is essentially an open-air museum. Thanks to the art critic Tommaso Paloscia, who loved spending his holidays here, Castagno inherited an important artistic heritage between 1975 and 2004, transforming it into a village with an open-air museum. This valuable collection continues to grow, with new works being added even beyond the “walls,” marking the beginning of a project to extend the museum into the surrounding landscape. This initiative has created new slow-paced routes that blend art and nature. Today, Castagno boasts as many as 60 works of art. To spot them all, one must take a careful look around.