Journey into the heart of the Tuscan countryside along roads flanked with cypress trees which look out onto shimmering Lake Accesa as they lead you towards the castles and medieval villages of Castel di Pietra, Massa Marittima and Gavorrano.
In terms of elevation gain, this route has a series of climbs and descents, but the only real challenging sections are the stretch in the valley near to Lake Ascesa and the final uphill stretch in the centre of Massa Marittima (2.5km). It is possible to reduce the elevation gain of the route by around 100m by setting out from the service station in the outskirts of Massa Marittima, located on the road which heads to Follonica. To take this alternative route, you would set out following the wide ring road towards Siena, cycling for around 5km until you reach the turn off for Massa. Almost immediately after taking the right turn towards the city centre, you bear left on the minor road heading towards Ghirlanda and Ribolla.
Leave the centre of Massa Marittima heading towards Siena and Larderello. Just before the route joins the S.P. 439 for Larderello, bear right towards Ghirlanda and Ribolla. The road remains level for around 6.5km before heading downhill for 3km on the approach to the old farming village of Perolla, which will appear on your left. From here, the road continues to descend until it brings you to an unmissable T-junction: turn right here, following the signs for Gavorrano.
After exactly 1.1km, you’ll come across a minor road on the left indicated by a yellow sign for Castel di Pietra. Taking the short detour (3 + 3km) to the castle is highly recommended: after a 2.3km stretch along the gravelled track flanked by cypress trees, turn right, cycling uphill for 700m until you reach the medieval fortress. Dismount here and walk up to the castle ruins on the top of the hill. From here, retrace the route back to the tarmac road. Continuing the route, cycle for 2.5km until you reach the junction where you’ll need to bear right, following the signs for Lago dell’Accesa.
After 2km, begin the gentle uphill stretch which will take you to La Pesta. This is the perfect time for a pit-stop in the local bar and another short detour on the gravel track to nearby Lake Accesa. Once back on the main road, cycle until you reach an unmissable fork in the road where you’ll need to take the right hand turn which heads to Massa Marittima. From here on, the route heads downhill, joining the road that leads to the foot of the hills of Massa Marittima where the final uphill stretch of the route awaits which will bring you to the square where you’ll find the Cathedral (35.5km).
