On your Bicicletta!
Italy, a legendary destination for cycling
Italians love their bikes, as testified by the numerous sport events celebrating cycling. No wonder tourists will find thousand of cycling paths to enjoy Italy on two wheels!
Cycling in Abruzzo – emotion on two wheels
Abruzzo is perfect for slow pace rides with hundreds of kilometres of cycle paths between hills, mountains and the coast. The “Bike to Coast” runs along 130 km of the national Adriatic Cycle Route next to beaches and centuries-old pine forests. Inland Abruzzo, itineraries take cyclists to the highest peaks in the Apennines, along vineyards or into the challenging Altipiani Maggiore d’Abruzzo. Cyclists should use the Abruzzo Bike Friendly brand which identifies accommodation, F&B, services and partners.
Emilia Romagna – a new itinerary and events in 2021
Emilia Romagna stands out for the promotion of cycling tourism. Circuits allow one to discover nature parks, reserves and historical sites. Visitors can use Terrabici, a cycling association of 43 hotels and tour operators. This year, the region launches “Via Romagna”, a 512 km circuit covering
exceptional sites. Emilia Romagna is also home to many biking events. One of the largest is the Nove Colli di Cesenatico in May (the event must be confirmed according the pandemic situation) which attracts over 12,000 participants from more than 50 countries.
Multi-country biking trails in Friuli Venezia Giulia
Being a neighbour to Austria and Slovenia provides Friuli Venezia Giulia with itineraries where history matches alpine and maritime landscapes. The Alpe Adria Cycle Route starts in Salzburg, Austria, to reach Italy. It then passes the Alpine Tarvisio and the morainic hills before reaching the Adriatic Sea. The Pedemontana and Collio Cycle Route links Sacile to Gorizia across the Pre-Alpine arc. The route crosses vineyards, art towns and villages. Finally, the Plain and Natisone Cycle Route connects Udine to Caporetto, passing through Cividale.
Lombardy – a sensorial approach
Touring Lombardy by bicycle means witnessing destinations with a sensorial approach. Lombardy has selected for travellers 10 itineraries offering authentic experiences.
Among them, the Mincio Bicycle Path brings the atmosphere of the Renaissance between Lake Garda and the Po River. The Oglio Bicycle Path goes from Ponte di Legno in Brescia to reach the plains, along traces of ancient glaciers. And the vineyards of Franciacorta give an opportunity to smell roses or enjoy a glass of wine.
Piemonte – the legend behind Italian Cycling
Travellers discovering Piedmont by bike have a different kind of view of the rare beauty of the Western Alps. An adventure on Lake Maggiore and Lake d’Orta takes place amidst nature and culture, or along the rice fields between Novara and Vercelli.
The VeloViso cycling routes between Italy and France allow cyclists to explore the Monviso and Occitan Valleys in Cuneo. The Natural Park of the Maritime Alps, 50 km away from the French Riviera, is a real treasure of biodiversity with 3,000m peaks and more than 80 lakes.
San Marino: fascinating itineraries for all bikers
The sector has grown rapidly in recent years, with the development of “cycling stays” in San Marino. 23 routes of varying difficulty start from inside the Republic and spread out to the surrounding area. San Marino Cycling Experience organises beautiful and surprising itineraries, and cyclists can count on bike hotels that offer all kind of services, as the organisation caters specifically for the cycling community. Completing the offer are also many secondary initiatives related to entertainment, food & wine, and wellness.
Tuscany, immerse your biking time in art, gastronomy and history
An increasing number of travellers are finding it fun to combine a seaside holiday with cycling activities in the Versilia area in Tuscany. Itineraries range from the promenades of Viareggio to the Massaciuccoli lake, with picturesque hamlets along the way. For those favouring less crowded beaches and wilder landscapes, why not choose the Tuscan Archipelago? The “Grand Tour in Maremma” is a route crossed by greenery and spectacular panoramas. For fans of amazing landscapes combined with gastronomy, the “Terre di Siena” covers Chianti, Crete Senesi, Valdichiana and Val di Merse.
Trentino: cycling for passion, cycling for fun
Dozens of paths and trails linking the Dolomites to Lake Garda testify that Trentino is at the forefront for cycling tours. The backbone of this network is a 100km cycle path along the Adige valley, linking Bolzano to the plain of the Po. All cycle paths offer GPS tracks. For those who prefer the thrill of the descent, “bici bus” (bike buses) and “bici + treno” (bike + train) services bring travellers to the top of peaks from which they can head downhill.
