Nestled in the Valtellina valley and immediately south of the vertiginous Passo dello Stelvio lays Bormio, a cycling mecca of Northern Italy. The Stelvio has a staggering 48 hairpins and is a route carved…
Better known for its winter sports, the Dolomites are an inspiring destination to visit between late spring and autumn too. Once the snow melts and skiers disperse, cyclists flock to the ‘Pale Mountains’…
Straddling the borders of three distinct regions – Lombardy, Trentino Alto-Adige and the Veneto – Lake Garda attracts a variety of visitors. For warm weather cyclists, pedal eastwards and explore the…
Set in the shadow of the snow-covered Rhaetian Alps and nestled in between vertiginous, green hillsides, Lake Como is the most beautiful of Italy’s major lakes. Wend your way along a shoreline littered…
Stretching from the Gulf of Venice in the north to the Capo d'Otranto in the south, Italy’s Adriatic coastline is a beautiful but largely unknown destination to many except its locals. Based near the…
Known as Italys premier pasta region, and the countries culinary capital, Emilia-Romagna is the perfect destination for cyclists with a big appetite. This guided group trip takes you on memorable rides…
The Tiber valley runs from Mount Fumaiolo, on the Tuscan border with Emilia Romagna, through the Valtibertina and onwards through Umbria, to Rome and the Tirreno sea. On this tour, we show you the Upper…
Picture Tuscany in yourimagination and chances are you are picturing therolling hills, beautiful towns and spectacular colours that make thisone of our best new itineraries for 2020.Ride between the Chianti…
Picture Tuscany in yourimagination and chances are you are picturing therolling hills, beautiful towns and spectacular colours that make thisone of our most exciting new itineraries for 2020.Ride between…
Tuscany is a road cycling heartland.Few places in the world are as perfectly suited toa drop handlebar bike quite as well as Tuscany is. The famous hills, that roll endlessly, blanketed inrich, green vegetation…
Starting in Vicenza, famed for Palladian villas and a UNESCO world heritage site, this tour takes you on a grand tour of the Veneto region of Italy. Your route takes you through the staggeringly beautiful…
Enjoy iconic Italian countryside with fine wines and gastronomic delights. Pedal your way gently along quiet side roads and tracks; travel the ancient via Flaminia highway of the Roman empire; and feast…
From the cypress-lined paths of Gladiator to the beautiful villa featured in Kenneth Brannaghs Much Ado About Nothing, this dreamy Tuscan self guided cycling tour seems to take you from one beautiful film…
Pedal your way gently along quiet side roads and tracks; travel the ancient via Flaminia highway of the Roman empire; and feast on wondrous Italian fayre and delicious Italian wines…
From the narrow streets, waterways and canals of the floating city to the Po delta, weaving through fishing villages; all the way to the art and opera of Mantua…
Start in Ravenna once the capital of the Western Roman Empire and cycle through the Romagna region all the way to Bologna, the culinary capital of Italy. This tour allows you to explore the famous ceramics…
On this self-guided cycling tour you will ride through Italys premier pasta region. After a day of leisurely cycling, enjoy gourmet evening meals that will include some of the finest traditional fayre…
This self-guided cycling tour takes you into the real heart of Cilento National Park and then on to the iconic Amalfi coastline. Starting at ancient Paestum youll discover landscapes, towns and villages…
An incredibly scenic tour through the dramatic mountain landscapes in the South Tyrolean Alps, this tour helps you to get a feel for rural Italian life. You can either stick to the cycle paths that are…
This incredibly scenic tour is one of great contrasts: dramatic mountain terrain and the shimmering flat waters of Lake Garda. Youll discover old-world villages in the hills and vibrant cities brimming…
Savour the dramatic mountain scenery of the Dolomites, while avoiding the need to ride up any long climbs. We explore the beautiful valleys of the Alta Pusteria on two wheels, visiting Brunico, Lake Toblach…
Combining the best of two of our most popular Italian cycling trips, this itinerary offers the unique challenge of riding right across Italy [1] from the Adriatic to the Tyrrhenian sea. Expect a rewarding…
Few landscapes in Europe match the beauty of the jagged limestone Dolomites. The route starts with incredible views of Trentino's dramatic mountains, cycling on relatively easy roads and tracks along the…
The Tuscan landscape is one of the most evocative and romantic in Europe with cypress trees lining the roads, olive groves, vineyards, ancient hill-top towns and, of course, classic Renaissance cities…
Often referred to as the 'land of silence', Sardinia is a place of outstanding natural beauty, with its crystal-clear sea, limestone ridges and deep gorges. During the week we ride across the wild and…
Cycling is a great way to explore the stunning natural and cultural treasures of Campania. This tour takes us through the best routes and contrasts of the region, from the relatively unknown and unspoilt…
This epic ride starts in the charming Italian town of Cuneo, before climbing into France in search of some of the most iconic climbs in cycling history. The first big challenge is the Col de la Bonnette…
In the deep south of Italy, [1] nestled between the Adriatic and Ionian seas, lie the captivating regions of Puglia and Basilicata. This extensive itinerary explores the very best selection of all the…
Sicily is not only the biggest island in the Mediterranean but also one of the most fascinating. Its incredibly diverse heritage of civilizationsincluding the Phoenecians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans…
The Italian lakes of Como and Maggiore are famed for both their spectacular scenery and their well-heeled residents. The rich and famous clearly have good taste as the scenery here is simply wonderful…
Treviso, located just a short drive north of Venice in the foothills of the Dolomites, is thought to be the most cycled province in Italy [1] thanks to the great variety of scenic roads and picturesque…
Cycle between two iconic cities; from Pisa to Florence pedal through delightful Tuscan landscapes; rolling hills, olive groves, picturesque villages and renaissance architecture - this itinerary has it…
The date of the Maratona dles Dolomites - Enel 2021 is Sunday July 4, 2021. Closed road Italian Gran Fondo riding at its very best, The Maratona dles Dolomites - Enel is widely regarded as one of the toughest…
A VINTAGE CYCLING TOUR - 2021 DATES NOW AVAILABLE Stunning scenery and a fantastic climate would be reason enough to join a Tuscan cycle tour. Add in the heady scent of the region’s famous Chianti…
If you have experience cycling in the mountains and maybe a Raid or two under your belt, then the natural progression of things should lead you to the pinnacle of your Raid career: the Raid Dolomites…
This cycling holiday gives you the chance to conquer the Dolomites best cycling climbs. Often thought of as the most beautiful mountain range in the world, the Dolomites is a landscape of lush green valleys…
Made infamous by the Giro dItalia, the Dolomites is one of the worlds greatest places to ride a bike, every road leading to another exquisite climb, each with their own character. This road cycling holiday…
Enjoy a quick escape to the heart of the Alps and conquer giants as Passo dello Stelvio, Passo Gavia and Mortirolo. Epic climbs that will stay in your heart (and legs) forever. In between the rides discover…
Discover the best of the Alps riding from Bormio, a little gem nestled in the mountains, to elegant Lago di Como. Stunning views, terraced vineyards and the most magnificent lake blend together for this…
Mountains have been flattened! Hop on your powerful e-bike and discover the heart of the Italian Alps. Charming hamlets, stunning views and a pristine nature perfectly combine for this unique cycling…
Welcome to the Food Valley, an unspoiled microcosm of everything beautiful about Italy: delicious food, warm hospitality and a rich cultural heritage. Our expertly planned itinerary blends rolling hills…
Welcome to the Food Valley, birthplace of world renowned delicacies as Parmigiano Cheese and Parma Ham. Hop on your powerful e-bike and ride from Parma, the Unesco creative city of Gastronomy to Camogli…
The good news, however, is that there are a multitude of incredible cycling destinations all over Europe. These places offer passionate cyclists an opportunity to hone or even test their skills while also enjoying some of the most staggeringly beautiful views in the world.
In Italy they’re as passionate about cycling as they are about food, fashion and… Well… pretty much else to which the Italians turn their hands. Home to a great number of natural and architectural marvels, Italy also has some of Europe’s finest cycling routes…
Most popular cycling areas in Italy
You’ll find no shortage of wonderful places in which to pump those pedals in Italy. Some of the most famous cycling destinations for Italians and tourists alike include;
Lake Garda- Within striking distance of Venice and the beach resort of Lido di Jesolo, Lake Garda has no shortage of stunning scenery, nestled as it is between the Dolomites and the Alps. There are plenty of flat cycling trails here for beginners as well as more mountainous terrain for veterans.
Tuscany- One of the most famously beautiful regions of Italy has a lot to offer cyclists of all levels of experience and proficiency. Some of the best can be found in the walled medieval town of Lucca where motor vehicles are largely banned. Easy riding, stunny architecture and few cars? Sounds like bliss to us!
Sardinia- Known for its sandy beaches and rugged, yet verdant terrain Sardinia offers a wealth of unique challenges for cyclists. Cycle along the coastline if you feel like an easy ride or venture up into the mountains if you feel more like an adventure.
History of cycling in Italy
Like most of Europe, Italy fell in love with cycling at the end of the 19th century and when motorised vehicles came to the region the humble bicycle came to represent the nobility of the Italian working class. Perhaps Italy’s most famous cyclist was Enrico Toti, the First World War volunteer who cycled with just one leg and became a national hero after his death on the front.
Famous races in Italy
Italy plays host to a wide range of well-known cycling races. Chief amongst them is the Giro d'Italia (Italy’s equivalent of the Tour de France). However, there are a multitude of other famous races including the Giro de Medio Brenta, Milano Torino, Gran Piemonte and Coppa Agostoni - Giro delle Brianze to name but a few. The amateur scene is also big with a whole host of events in the Gran Fondo sporting calendar including the Nove Colli, Strade Bianche, Granfondo La Fausto Coppi, Eroica and the Gran Fondo Prosecco to call out just a few.
When to Visit
July and August can be punishingly hot in Italy, not to mention extremely busy due to the influx of tourists. September is still fairly busy, although not quite as bad as August and offers far more clement weather.
