Cycle Tourism: "Il Sentiero della Bonifica" (The Path of Reclamation)

The "Sentiero della Bonifica" (path of reclamation) is situated between Tuscany and Umbria, creating a connecting bridge between the lands of Arezzo, Siena and Perugia, by following the river of the "Canale Maestro della Chiana".

It is a foot and cycle route of about 62 km particularly suitable for families interested in adventure and sporting holidays. It is ideal for a holiday immersed in natural landscapes accompanied by numerous historical landmarks. As the most famous European cycle routes, the path of reclamation enjoys full accessibility thanks to a slight level difference which instead is in contrast with the mainly hilly and mountainous Tuscan morphology.

This path was created in the tracks of an antique road used for maintenance of the main canal of the "Chiana" region and its locks. The construction of the canal is a historical engineering hydraulic masterpiece which involved famous names such as Leonardo Da Vinci and the Arezzo born Vittorio Fossombroni; even today it performs an important function within the territory.

The path, prior to as it is today, was already designed by mother nature. The Main Canal of the Chiana, originates in the bed of the river Claims which in ancient times, flowing southwards, flowed together with the river Tiber. During the 11th century, tectonic movements and depositing of erosive materials raised the area around Chiusi, creating a marsh in the surrounding valley. The river Claims continued to expand, flooding the valley for five centuries, when the Medici family began the reclamation work, subsequently continued by the Asburgo-Lorena Grand Dukes of Tuscany, and concluded with the change of direction of the river which flowed together with the Arno.

The reclamation work found its concretization in the construction of a series of reservoirs, bridges, canals, tunnels, sewers and locks that still today characterise the canal and have allowed this valley to be one of the most fertile in Italy. The latest result of this work is the agricultural production of the Chiana Valley which emerged due to the quality of its cheese, fruits, extra virgin olive oil, wine and the well known "chianina" meat, which is possible to taste in the various Food and Beverage outlets found long the "Sentiero della bonifica".

This path lets you discover the sound of peace and our distant Etruscan roots.

In fact the path unites small villages rich in art like Montepulciano, Chiusi, Arezzo, Castiglion Fiorentino and Cortona. This historic journey starts in Chiusi, in the labyrinth of Porsenna and stops at the Chimera di Arezzo crossing Cortona and Castiglion Fiorentino which hide important signs of the past such as the ancient "tabula cortonensis" and the blocks of sandstone embedded around the town walls.

Apart from history, it is worth mentioning the nature in which the path is immersed. The valley is rich in flora and fauna and for avid birdwatchers, one will without doubt be interested in the lakes of Chiusi and Montepulciano registered in the National Research Committee as an important biotope.

The path of reclamation is subdivided into four itineraries in order to allow everyone to enjoy it:

1 - from Chiusi to the lake of Montepulciano. Along this route, it is possible to admire the imposing Pontifical Canal and the Towers of Beccati Questo (Take This) and Beccati Quello (Take That) which mark the border between Tuscany and Umbria; also near the lakes of Chiusi and Montepulciano it is possible to enter the peaceful area and admire from the huts and platforms provided by the "Oasi LIPU", numerous types of birds and plants;

2 - from the Lakes of Chiusi and Montepulciano to Foiano della Chiana: the Siena Chiana Valley. In this stretch we are immersed in the heart of the alluvial valley and with short diversions from the original path it is possible to visit the villages of Acquaviva and Montepulciano and also Sinalunga and Foiano della Chiana;

3 - from Foiano della Chiana up to the hill of Castiglion Fiorentino: the Arezzo Chiana Valley. QHere, as well as visiting with short diversions, towns full of history such as Cortona, Lucignano, Marciano della Chiana, Castiglion Fiorentino and Monte San Savino, it is also possible to discover the agricultural production of Tuscany in the form of extra-virgin olive oil, wine, wheat, pears, apples and plums;

4 - from the Bridges of Arezzo to the lock Chiusa dei Monaci. This final stretch goes through the vineyards and orchards of Civitella in the Chiana valley and offers views of important nineteenth-century works, used for adding water into the Main Canal.

To make the cycle and foot path more comfortable, we recommend staying at our Bed and Breakfast Cavalli & CO. where we offer deposit/shelter assistance, rental, washing, repairs and/or supplies of equipment for bike maintenance; a traditional Tuscan restaurant.

This Cycle Tourism path is linked to the cycling tracks of Lake Trasimeno, seen on the map below:


View Sentiero della Bonifica in a larger map.

The "Sentiero della Bonifica" is easily reachable both by train and by car and for further information please refer to the following websites:

www.sentierodellabonifica.it
www.apt.arezzo.it
www.terresiena.it

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