The Montalbano area

Made famous by the drawings of Leonardo da Vinci, the Montalbano is a region rich in hills cultivated with vines and olive trees, enriched by the expert human hand and situated between Florence, Pistoia and Prato.

This region, once a holiday destination and hunting ground of the Medici family, is now crossed by the Strada del vino e dell’olio del Montalbano (Montalbano Wine and Oil Road), an itinerary meant to promote PGI extra virgin olive oil and Montalbano labelled Chianti wine. Here trails and paths wind through villages, churches, historic villas and even the ruins of ancient mills. These routes are within everyone’s reach and you can explore them either on foot or by bicycle. 

Vinci, Cerreto Guidi and Capraia e Limite are flanked by the Etruscan Trail, a hiking path which, from the Via Francigena in Fucecchio, allows to reach the town of Fiesole. Along the way, you will come across the Etruscan sites of Tomba dell’Uovo and Montereggi Park in Capraia e Limite. From Capraia e Limite starts also the Montalbano Ecotrail, which consists of two bike trails of 14 and 22 kilometres, respectively. 

In the Vinci area, hiking trails are inspired by the personality of Leonardo: the Genius Trails, are five easy to follow trails that allow to discover the house where the most famous man of the Renaissance was born as well as the places where he spent his childhood, which were a source of inspiration for his works and studies.

All trails are clearly signposted: from the Strada Verde (the Green Road) to the Via dei Mulini (the Mill Road) till the Via di Caterina (named after Leonardo’s mother). Among these, it is the Via del Vincio trail, that connects the municipalities of Vinci, Cerreto Guidi and Fucecchio. Following the flow of the Vincio stream, the trail will take you from Vinci to the Padule di Fucecchio, connecting to the Via Francigena. 

Vinci and Cerreto Guidi are crossed by the Via Medicea, a walking path that goes from Artimino, in the municipality of Carmignano, to Fucecchio, touching those places beloved by the Medici family and admiring some of the most beautiful Medici Villas in Tuscany. The itinerary, that runs through la Toscana nel Cuore, starts from Vinci and arrives in Fucecchio passing by the Medici Villa of Cerreto Guidi, a UNESCO heritage site. 
It is right from this stunning villa that the Medici Rings Routes start. They consist of six ring trails inspired by the Grand Dukes of Tuscany, well signposted and suitable both on foot or by bicycle. They lead to the various hills surrounding the town, on the side of the Arno, Montalbano and Padule di Fucecchio, before returning to the historic centre.