Outside the walls of the town lies a peaceful, mostly agricultural countryside with walking routes easily accessible to those who wish to stroll without first driving. On a quiet and cool early morning one can take an hour’s hike and return to the Bar Centrale for a cappuccino as the town is coming to life. The immediate vicinity of Sarteano contains a number of interesting sites to punctuate the walk: the ruins of the church of Santa Vittoria (XI century Romanesque); the small shrine of Madonna del Uccellino with Sienese fresco (Jacopo di Mino del Pellicciano); another small chapel, the Madonna del Portone; a little temple known as Madonna di Capo (if she can’t cure your headache, you need an espresso); a larger temple of the Madonna delle Spiagge. The road underfoot on this route was the one used by Etruscans going to Chiusi, the neighboring town. The road continues through olive groves and past a number of beautiful old country houses, and returns to Sarteano. Much longer routes for serious cyclists are to be found on the strade bianche (dirt roads) in the more level agricultural region below and to the north of Sarteano. Another slightly more arduous hike leads westward to the ruined convent of I Cappuccini, to which was annexed the 16th century church of San Bartolomeo (standing). See “Hiking routes sites within walking distance of town.”
