The Sieve river flows through a beautiful stretch of Tuscan countryside, first through the Mugello region, where it rises, and then through the Valdisieve valley, to which it gives its name. What we are suggesting here is a short stretch of cycle path or footpath between the municipality of Dicomano and the village of Contea.
he route, which is completely sheltered from road traffic, runs alongside the river: it is known as the Alessandro Bartolozzi cycle and footpath. It is entirely surrounded by greenery, with the River Sieve flowing alongside it; at various points, you can access small beaches where you can sunbathe in the warmer months or go fishing. We recommend exploring this route, either on foot or by bike, particularly in spring and autumn, as some sections are exposed to the sun without the shade of trees; furthermore, certain low-lying sections of the route may be covered by water should the Sieve – which is a torrential river by nature – burst its banks. The trail is about 3.5 km long; it starts in Dicomano near the sports ground, initially running alongside the right bank of the river. A bridge made of laminated timber, reserved exclusively for pedestrians and cyclists, allows you to cross over to the left bank. The landscape becomes particularly picturesque where the valley widens at Casanova: the meadow (which is lush green at various times of the year) is bisected by the railway line, but the view is completely unobstructed.
Along the final stretch, the right bank of the Sieve is characterised by high rock faces that rise vertically above the river.
The track leads to Contea, where you can turn back to complete the loop or catch the train. The course of the Sieve, however, continues to Pontassieve, where the river flows into the Arno. The Sieve is the river that feeds the Bilancino reservoir.
