Renaissance Ring path

• Travelling time: Few days
• Difficulty: Medium
• Why we love it: Nature, art and history blend together in this beautiful route that takes us to the discovery of the Florentine territory
• Length: 170 km
• Total Elevation Gain: 2900 m
• Way to travel: By bike
• Cost: 0 €
• Our Advice: Each section offers the opportunity to reach Florence by public transport.

The Renaissance Ring spread around the town of Florence, which is its heart with the dome of the cathedral. The 170 km of this journey make us discover anew the Florentine province, biking in the hills, through the woods, admiring the castles.

Usually, the point of departure and of arrival of the path is the Castle of Calenzano. From here begins the first of the 16 identified stages. Immediately the views are enchanting, as we walk the path we can admire the Mugello and the Apennines mountains.

After 20 kilometers we come to Vaglia, ending the first stage of the ring. From here we bike along ridges that offer views of the surrounding valleys and stunning views of Florence, until we reach the beautiful Fiesole. The city of Etruscan foundation contains important historical evidence and is definitely worth a visit.

From here begins the third stage, mostly downhill. We are in the countryside and head to the Sieve Valley, where beautiful houses are surrounded by vineyards. Then we head towards L'Alberaccio then on to Pontassieve. The indications are clear and simple and there is no risk of getting lost.

After crossing the center of Pontassieve towards the bridge over the Arno river that take to Rosano and visiting the Convent, we continue towards the hills, towards Montecucco. The stage gives us incredible views, even on the basin of Valdarno, but also monasteries and villas that tell the history of these places. We finally arrive at the village of San Donato in Collina.

From here we take the Via Maremmana, along the ancient route of transhumance. Among olive groves and vineyards, the route leads us in Impruneta.

Here begins a stage all downhill offering views on the nature and the city. We get to the town of La Certosa. From here, through the typical streets of the Florentine hills we reach the Piazzale Michelangelo, the famous balcony overlooking Florence.

From the capital we leave again towards the countryside and its hills, in a path that now plunges into the woods and heads for Signa.

From Signa we can again reach the city of Florence, with a stage that starts from Renai Park, along Arno river. Or we can end the Renaissance Ring path with the last stage wth, nestled in the Florentine plain, along the Bisenzio river, which brings us to our starting point.

Cover photo by Eric Huybrechts via Flickr