From the sea to the hills: a cycling route along Costa degli Etruschi
A route which takes you from the coast to the villages of Donoratico, Sassetta and Suvereto
Giving you a taste of the countryside and medieval villages, and the chance to taste some of the area’s typical cuisine, this route twists and turns on its way from the coast to the hills of Val di Cornia. The highlight of the route is the stretch between Sassetta and Suvereto which is hailed as one of the best roads in Italy to explore by bike. The uphill sections as you come into Sassetta and Campiglia Marittima are among the most challenging.
From Donoratico to Sassetta
Leave Donoratico on the S.P. 39 Vecchia Aurelia, heading towards Cecina. After around 1 kilometre, in the village of Il Bambolo, bear right on the S.P. 329 until you reach Casagnento Carducci (6.8km). Once past the village, the route heads into woodland and the windy road leads you to Ponte d’Oro. Here there is a 2km uphill section which heads towards Bocca di Valle (12km). When you come to an unmissable hairpin bend to the left, bear right towards Sassetta (13.8km).
Towards Suvereto
Having passed through the town, the route continues to head gently uphill for approximately 1km before dropping gently into Val di Cornia. From a cyclist’s perspective, this section of the route is perfect: barely any cars and a trajectory with a series of bends requiring technical skill. Coming to a noticeable hairpin bend to the left, you pass close by the Fonte dell’Annunziata, near the church ruins. Continue until you come to Prata, where the vast, sun-kissed landscape of Val di Cornia stretches out before you. Here there is slight climb and then the route continues to head downhill until it brings you to the village of Suvereto (27.1km). The route does not go into the historical centre. Before coming out of the village, turn left (don’t continue straight on towards Cafaggio-Venturina), going downhill on the S.P. 398 towards Monteverdi-Monterotondo.
Returning through Campiglia and San Vincenzo
Cross the bridge over the Fosso di Gore and, 3km outside of Suvereto, you come to a junction (30.4km). Here you depart from the S.P. 398, which heads left, instead continuing straight on and following the signs for Massa Marittima and Montioni as you head along the S.P.19 “di Montioni”. After crossing the bridge over the River Cornia, you come to a junction where you need to bear right on the S.P. 22 “San Lorenzo-Banditelle”. After around 1.3km, you pass through the village of San Lorenzo and then past vineyards, the Petra winery and the Casalappi farm. There is a short downhill section and a noteable bend to the left where there is a crossroads (39km).
At the 4.5km mark on the S.P. 22, leave the main road and continue straight for 2km until you come to another junction. Here, turn left following a stretch of road with power lines until you come to the next junction, where you need to take the right-hand turn-off on the S.P. 21 “Campiglia Marittima-Riotorto” which heads to nearby Cafaggio (43.2km). From here, follow the signs for Campiglia Marittima (approx. 4km uphill). The road begins to climb almost immediately and, after a few bends, brings you to a T-junction. At the junction, turn right, climbing once more, towards Campiglia Marittima (47.7km). From the village, cycle downhill (approx. 6km) until you come to the flyover which crosses the S.S 1 Aurelia. Back on the S.P. 39 “Vecchia Aurelia”, bear right which quickly brings you to San Vincenzo (57.2km) and then Donoratico (65km).
