Brunello Crossing

The three Competitive Races, 45km, 24km, and 14km will start from Piazza del Popolo, the main square, and pass through the old town up to Porta al Cassero, one of the six entry gates to the walled town, attached to the fourteenth century Fortress, built on the highest part of this medieval town. Crossing through the woods and Brunello di Montalcino vineyards, hamlets, and farms to Castello Banfi – Poggio alle Mura, dating back to the year 1000, which majestically sits atop a strategic hill to keep watch over the junction of the Orcia and Ombrone Rivers. The trail momentarily takes you out of the Val d’Orcia to head up to the small medieval hamlet of Sant’Angelo in Colle. Another dip into the valley to come up again towards towards Il Ventolaio (windy by name and by reputation) where the Brunello Crossing 45 and Brunello Crossing 24 races will meet. A steep descent, Il Patataio, with a breathtaking view of the Val d’Orcia and Monte Amiata in the background, brings the athletes through another small hamlet, Castelnuovo dell’Abate. A few hundred meters onward to the Sant’Antimo Abbey, a Romanesque church where Charlemagne started the construction of the monastery in 781 on his way back from Rome along the Via Francigena pilgrim route. Leaving the monastery behind, going in and out of woods and vineyards, the ascent towards Il Cocco, one of the highest points of the entire race, meeting up with the Brunello Crossing 14km, to head towards Montalcino through another medieval entry gate, Porta Cerbaia, to then enter the city through the main street until the arrival in the main square, Piazza del Popolo.