Volterra and the Calanchi

The bicycle route between Balze and Calanchi passes through places where nature and history intertwine in a circular path accessible to everyone thanks to e-bikes. This itinerary takes us to discover a unique scenario, characterized by spectacular geological formations, medieval monasteries suspended between heaven and earth, and gastronomic delicacies that tell the essence of this territory.
The e-bike itinerary develops in a loop, making the experience accessible even to those who are less trained. The electric bicycle represents the ideal means to fully immerse yourself in the surrounding landscape, allowing you to appreciate every detail of these lands shaped by time and the elements. The route winds through a succession of breathtaking panoramas, alternating white roads with more adventurous paths, always accompanied by the majesty of the Balze and calanchi that dominate the horizon.

The Balze: Witnesses of an Ancient Geological History

Along the bike path, you observe the Balze which reveal themselves in all their grandeur. These steep slopes with their characteristic golden color represent a natural spectacle of rare beauty and a geological phenomenon of considerable scientific interest. Composed of sand and calcareous sandstone rocks, the Balze are the result of a grand erosive process still in progress, which continues to shape the sediments left by an ancient sea dating back 2.5 million years.
The particular conformation of these geological formations creates plays of light and shadow that reach their peak during the twilight hours, when the setting sun's rays enhance their golden tones, offering a visual spectacle of extraordinary beauty. Pedaling along the route, you will find yourself immersed in an almost lunar landscape, where time seems to have stopped, allowing you to virtually travel back millions of years.

The Calanchi: Natural Sculptures with Wild Charm

In stark contrast to the golden Balze, the calanchi represent another fascinating chapter of this cycling adventure. Characterized by steep southern slopes with pointed crests that shine white under the sun, the calanchi offer a scenario of wild beauty. These clay formations, shaped by the erosion of rainwater, create a surreal landscape that extends as far as the eye can see toward the sea.

The electric bicycle proves to be the perfect means to explore these areas, allowing you to reach panoramic points otherwise inaccessible, from which to admire the breadth and majesty of these natural formations. The gentler slopes, less subject to erosion, host lush cereal crops, creating an evocative chromatic contrast with the white calanchi surrounding them.

The Badia: A Millennium of History Suspended Between Heaven and Earth

A culminating point of the bike tour is represented by the visit to the imposing Badia, a Camaldolese monastery from the medieval era that seems to defy the laws of nature. Perched on the edge of a precipice, this extraordinary building has resisted for about a millennium the inexorable advance of the Balze chasm, creating an image of rare suggestion.

The contrast between man's work and the force of nature reaches its symbolic apex here: the millennial solidity of the monastic structure seems to engage in a silent battle against the unstoppable erosive process that continues to shape the surrounding landscape. The Badia not only represents a monument of exceptional architectural value, but also embodies a place rich in fascination and mystery, where medieval spirituality merges with the dramatic nature of the natural landscape.

San Cipriano: A Window on the Calanchi

The bike path reaches, via a white road, a privileged observation point near the small church of San Cipriano. From this strategic position, you can admire in all its extension the characteristic calanchi landscape of Volterra, distinguished by formations of considerable size, both in length and height.

This natural belvedere offers the opportunity to take memorable photographs and enjoy a moment of contemplation in front of a scenario that seems to have come out of a painting. The small church, with its architectural simplicity, integrates perfectly into the surrounding landscape, adding a further element of cultural interest to the experience.

The Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane DOP: A Gastronomic Treasure

The e-bike tour crosses a hilly territory rich not only in natural and historical beauties, but also in gastronomic excellences. In these hills, the prestigious Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane DOP is produced, a typical cheese that encapsulates the essence of this unique land.

The peculiarity of this cheese lies in the use of vegetable rennet extracted from the wild thistle, a plant that grows spontaneously in local pastures. This production technique, handed down from generation to generation, gives the pecorino a distinctive and unmistakable flavor, which tells the story and traditions of these hills. During the route, there will be opportunities to stop at small farms to taste this product of excellence, accompanied by other local typical products.

Art that Dialogues with the Landscape: The Sculptures of Mauro Staccioli

On the bike following the dirt path called "Itinerary of Balze and Calanchi," the tour leads to the discovery of environmental sculptures created by the artist Mauro Staccioli. These extraordinary works of land art represent a profound dialogue between human creativity and the natural environment, interpreting the essence of the "places of experience" so dear to the artist.

The installations harmoniously integrate into the landscape, framing with essential geometric forms the exciting panorama of balze, calanchi, and hills exposed to the wind, with Volterra majestically dominating the horizon. The encounter with these contemporary works of art further enriches the bicycle tour experience, adding a cultural dimension to the pleasure of physical activity and immersion in nature.