Guided Walking Tours in Tuscany:
Radda in Chianti - Classic Chianti Pathways

We arrive in Radda in time explore this historic town and appreciate life in Chianti over the centuries.

Our evening will begin with an introduction to the wine and food of Chianti. A fun, informal evening as our host shares her extensive knowledge introducing the Chianti wines with a tasting. This is followed by a typical Tuscan dinner. All the produce is locally grown and the food will reflect what's in season. Platters of local cheese and meats are accompanied with delicious preserves made by our host's mother. Words best associated with the food of Tuscany are rustic simplicity, herbs and most importantly the freshness of produce and olive oil.

This walk includes a tour of an olive oil processing plant and a winery housed in the historic village.

Your destination is clearly visible from Radda as you head towards the beautiful fortified Hilltown of Volpaia. This ring walk takes you past classic Chianti vineyards, olive groves, an 11C Fattoria, a 10C Pieve, one standing high with wonderful views back to Radda and the other nestled into a peaceful setting surrounded by ancient olive trees.

Castello di Volpaia our mid point for the walk stands in a splendid panoramic position (617m). Wine and olive oil has been produced here since the 11C. Today, the wine and oil production is housed throughout the village buildings and churches.

This pretty walk includes valleys, ridges and deserted farmhouses plus a good spot for a lunch break in the hamlet of Poggio San Palo. Grades are gentle with the occasional challenge. The walk provides an opportunity to enjoy the traditional Tuscan landscape and a glimpse of rural life as it has been for the past millennium. As we leave Radda, old terraces are in abundance, often with the family vegetable garden at one end complete with a collection of bamboo poles strategically placed for tomato trellising. Excellent examples are evident of dry stonewalls and old terraces, long since cleared in most other parts of Chianti. The Pieve of San Giusto provides a welcome break as it did more than 1000 years prior for travellers

A bus ride takes us to Lamole sited at 600 meters, to start the walk. As we wind up to Lamole the views are stunning. The path winds steadily though beautiful ancient chestnut forests, past stonewalls, small village gardens, and deserted farmhouses. The mountains of the Apennines can often be seen in the distance. For a reasonably isolated area there are surprising opportunities to stop for coffee or lunch along the way before returning to Radda.

This pleasant walk links Radda and Castellina, two of the three Chianti League Hilltowns.
After a 10 minute bus ride, our walk meanders though woods, isolated farmhouses and also has some of the best expansive views in the area. We allow time to explore Castellina, a Hilltown that holds an important place in history.

Castellina started as a trading town in Etruscan times and was on the front line of the wars continually taking place between Florence and Siena. There is still much to see including an Etruscan tomb, a well-restored castle housing an excellent Etruscan museum and an impressive vault to explore.

Late afternoon visit to a beautiful Tuscan garden, abbey, villa and cellar.

A ring walk from Radda to Gaiole, an important market town in past times due to its position on the cross roads between the Chianti district and the upper Arno valley. Our walk winds through olives groves and shaded woods, past a 16C baroque villa and though a delightfully preserved hamlet with a tower.

We allow time to explore Gaiole, the third town that made up the Chianti League in the 13C. There is also the opportunity to pick up a picnic lunch or enjoy a coffee in Gaiole's main pedestrian street and piazza.

Our tour returns and ends in Florence. Alternatively you can take the bus to Siena and points beyond