Most agriturismi have mountain bikes to rent, so there’s nothing stopping you from exploring the landscape on your own.

Guided mountain bike excursions are, instead, for those who are serious about their biking or are worried about getting lost.

Of course, most of these excursions explore places that you’d probably never find on your own.

Evocative, and usually very well hidden, these sites could be anything from an Etruscan ‘Vie Cave’ road to an abandoned forest city that was home to hermits until the 1960s – I’m not joking either, I’ve been to this hermit city and it’s incredible!

There are different mountain bike excursions for different fitness levels.

If you’re not too confident on a bike, stick to one of the ones that just meander through the rolling hills at a calm pace. Otherwise mountain biking aficionados can really test their strength with a full-day slog through Monte Amiata.

Whatever your skill level, these excursions really are the perfect way to spend an afternoon under the Tuscan sun, especially in summer.

To book, ask at your accommodation or local tourist information centre.