Walking the Paths of Chianti

This is a scenic, cultural, countryside hike: guided, unhurried, accessible -- following established footpaths and country trails in the heart of Chianti. Art and nature meet in a landscape shaped by hills, vineyards, and small country roads. Elena leads the day at an easy pace, beginning with a visit to the old Abbey, a place marked by silence and striking beauty. You explore the church, ancient refectory, monumental kitchen, and Renaissance garden, gaining a sense of how the site has evolved over time and why it remains central to the area’s identity. The path continues on foot toward a small chapel regarded as a miraculous place, where a brief stop introduces an ancient legend tied to the surrounding hills. You progress through gentle ups and downs with panoramic pauses that frame the countryside. You finally share a tasting at a traditional inn overlooking the Hills, while Elena talks about the wines, extra virgin olive oil, and local foods of this part of Tuscany.

What makes this experience unique is the way it brings you into a landscape that is usually admired from afar but rarely experienced at this pace. The monastery at the beginning of the walk sets the tone. It is a place with a long history, surrounded by views that define the idea of Tuscany, yet still feel connected to the community that cares for it. Elena adds the knowledge that comes from living in Chianti. She knows the paths and the small stories that circulate between chapels, farms, and villages. As the walk unfolds, her presence helps you read the route with the familiarity of someone who lives on these hills. Walking gives you a different sense of the landscape, revealing things that you would not catch from afar. This connection with the place carries into the tasting. Elena connects the dishes to the stories, practices, and local producers, turning the lunch into a way of understanding the place rather than just tasting it.

Elena Pietrunti is a Chianti-based licensed guide, professional driver, and wine expert who moves with ease from Florence’s city center to its hillside viewpoints and the vineyards of Chianti. She blends deep local knowledge with a sharp, intuitive way of reading each place, creating routes that feel natural and full of character. Elena connects a medieval alley to a sweeping terrace, a lively square to a quiet road among the vines, always setting the right rhythm for the moment.

Comfortable walking shoes, a water bottle, a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses to protect you from the summer sun, and your camera. A shawl to cover your shoulders is recommended for the monastery visit.