Poppi and Camaldoli

A picturesque circular route that climbs to the Camaldoli Monastery, starting from Poppi or Bibbiena, where e-bike rentals are also available.

Cycling along quiet roads, you can enjoy the Casentino countryside and the valley views that open up as you ascend. A stop is worthwhile in the quaint stone village of Moggiona, home to the evocative “Percorso del Lupo” (Wolf’s Path) and the basket weaver’s workshop, a custodian of an ancient local art of basket making.

The final stretch of the climb passes through the thousand-year-old forest that preserves the spirituality of Camaldoli. Here, a stop at the monastery and its historic pharmacy is a must, a perfect spot for a tasty snack.

The return journey offers a long descent with spectacular views of the valley, culminating in a giant yellow bench, the perfect spot for a souvenir photo. A few more bends downhill, through vineyards and countryside, leads to the splendid Villa della Mausolea, a historic monks’ farm.

The loop ends along the cool and relaxing cycle paths of the Archiano and Arno rivers, which flow like torrents here. In the background, the outlines of the villages of Bibbiena and Poppi, dominated by its medieval castle, reappear, evoking the historical past of these lands, also described by Dante Alighieri in the Divine Comedy.