Bagno a Ripoli to San Polo in Chianti


Take city bus #33 (ATAF company) to the terminal stop at La Fonte, walk uphil on the main road towards San Donato. At a right curve go straight uphill towards Bigallo. In Bigallo turn left (large building on right) into a paved path, marked with red/white stripe and the #6. The pavement soon ends, turn right after a villa and straight at the next junction. Take next path to the right, at first along a fence then through a forest. At next junction left, then next junction right.
The path goes uphill, well marked, next junction turn right. Soon there will be a small open area with building to the left, go straight here toward the house on top (Monte Pilli). Pass the house on the left and go straight. Go downhill past a farm until reaching a paved road, turn left here into a dirt path continuing downhill. In front of the first house turn left, in front of the next one right, pass third house on the left. At junction go right up into the forest, next junction straight. Reaching a dirt road, turn left towards a modern house. Here take a sharp right turn into a somewhat overgrown path (marked #00) and go uphill.Reaching a paved road, go straight; after a few minutes turn right into a small path (just before house #74). At a T in front of a wall, go right and continue downhill taking the right option at the next junction (somewhat overgrown path). At the paved street turn left and go up to San Donato.
Turn right by the church into a small road towards the cemetery, about 500 feet after cemetery take left fork (red white marks #00) and go uphill, Right at next fork, and right again at the one after (sign "Casa Gamberaia, Parco di Fontesanto). Soon the pavement stops, continue uphill and pass Casa Gamberaia, at junction here go right. On top of the hill several path meet, pass the tables and take the wide path #14 towards the right. Passing frst a building on the right, then a fountain on the left, next junction left to continue on trail #14. After a barrier (for cars), turn left downhill, then left again, next junction right, then left again. After a few minutes another junction, right here and soon Casa al Mandorlo appears on the right. Take the left option (Via Poggio al Mandorlo, 300 feet then straight, another 300 feet and turn left onto a path that goes downhill (the red-white marking point straight here, uphill towards Monte Masso) leaving the red-white markings. On the opposite hill the church San Miniato in Rubbiano is soon visible. Continue downhill and cross two little creeks, 2 minutes after second stream reach an olive grove with a house visible up on the hill. Turn right here and follow the path along the bottom of an olive grove (you can hear the stream to your right). About 600 feet before 2 newer houses (now a vineyard to your left) turn right and cross the stream, turn immediately left and follow the path to San Polo in Chianti. Take SITA company bus back to Florence (last bus around 6:30 pm).
Hike rating:
Beauty beautiful views of Florence, old farms, small nontouristy villages, beautiful countryside
Difficulty easy to moderate,1000 feet elevation gain,
Time 3 hours La Fonte to to San Donato
2 hours San Donato to San Polo