Gravel Rides in Italy
The best bike rides along Italy for your gravel adventure.
Gravel bikes are the new big trend in adventure cycling. Why? Because of the huge variety of routes they let you ride. With a versatile gravel bike and the right equipment you can build your riding itinerary the way you want. With a gravel bike, it’s easy to leave the tarmac and experience a real adventure!
Whether North to South or in the central regions, Italy offers infinite possibilities for those looking for a holiday to mix sports, adventure and the discovery of magnificent landscapes and cities. Here are some of the most beautiful bike trips you can take, highly recommended for all gravel lovers. From magnificent mountains, to endless white roads, and expansive hill ranges. The Bel Paese has countless dirt paths, ideal for trekking and also for cycling with a gravel bike, an MTB, or even an e-bike!
ITALY NORTH
This loop starts at Lake Iseo and crosses the vineyards of Franciacorta in a succession of paved climbs at gradients of up to 18%, as well as flats along the valley of the Oglio river. The route touches Val Trompia, reaching the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Stella with off-road climbs and steep ascents. The descents are also not to be underestimated, often taking you over dirt roads, stones, and roots. The route features plenty uphill sections, the most impressive being the one that leads to the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Corno overlooking the Parco delle Torbiere and the entire Franciacorta. You can start the 115 km loop from any point on the track. Considering the steep climbs, our suggestion is to tackle the route with a light gravel bike, such as the Grail CF SL.
Recommended bike: Grail CF SL
Franciacorta Gravel – Strade Brute
This gravel bike route is a real adventure through the Veneto region in north-eastern Italy, starting and ending in Piazzola sul Brenta. Covering 690 kilometers, you’ll pedal through the magnificent Venetian cities of Bassano del Grappa, Belluno, Conegliano, Treviso, Padua and Verona and experience the Venetian lagoon. If you wish to take part in the unsupported bike adventure event, now in its fifth edition, you’ll need to take the right equipment and bike bags. As for the bike itself, we recommend a light and fast carbon model, such as the
Grail CF SLX.
But you can tackle this route whenever you want. The path is 50% asphalt and 50% off-road, so it’s the perfect choice for bikepacking with a gravel bike. If you are time-limited, or if you want to have maximum fun on the technical sections, the new
Grail:ON
e-gravel bike with pedal assistance makes travelling the 700 km easier, and lets you carry more gear with you. Whether you’re preparing for the next edition of the event or you’re just going to ride with your friends, this is an absolute must.
Recommended bikes: Grail CF SLX, Grail:ON
Veneto Gravel
The Via degli Dei is a historic road that connects Bologna and Florence through the Apennines, used since Etruscan times. It starts from the beating heart of Bologna, Piazza Maggiore, and alongside the characteristic arcades, climbs steeply up to the sanctuary of San Luca. Alternatively, you can follow a cycle path alongside the river Reno leading directly to Casalecchio. The route is mostly unpaved with a few singletrack sections and short asphalt parts. It is possible to split the itinerary into two or three stages, and if you opt for the shorter alternative, you can enjoy an overnight stay at the inn of the Passo della Futa, very popular with pilgrims.
The path is physically demanding, with steep climbs and unpaved descents with some technical sections. It is possible to pedal the entire route with a gravel bike, if are careful to follow the bike-specific variant, available on specific guides and tracks. Alternatively, you can consider a hardtail mountain bike such as the Canyon
Exceed,
for more control in the downhills. From Florence, you can take a train back to Bologna – they run frequently, and you can, of course, take your bike with you.
Recommended bikes: Exceed, Grail
Via degli Dei
ITALY CENTER
The Costa d’Argento is best known for its beaches – but if you explore the area with your bike, you’ll discover many other treasures that this land has to offer. The tour starts and ends at the Orbetello railway station and comprises multiple stages: the lagoon, the Etruscan-Roman city of Cosa, the charming medieval village of Capalbio, Lake Burano, and the Feniglia Forest Reserve. It is possible to follow route 23 - Orbetello - Capalbio e la Costa d'Argento of Fiab Grosseto. This loop route, a one-day ride, crosses the Maremma hills to arrive on the blue sea of the Argentario. The track includes off-roads, cycle paths and tarmac sections and you can easily ride it with a trekking bike with a suspension fork, such as the Pathlite, for maximum comfort even on off-road sections.
Recommended bike: Pathlite
Maremma e Costa d’Argento Gravel
The permanent route of l’Eroica covers 209 km between the Terre di Siena through the Chianti, the Crete Senesi and the Val d'Orcia. On this tour, you’ll experience characteristic Tuscan landscapes with an ideal track for touring. You can split the route into 3, 4 or 5 stages, and it’s well signposted along the entire route with permanent signs. To take part to the historic cycling race it is strictly necessary to have a vintage bike, but if you decide to organise a bike tour to enjoy the magnificent hills of Chianti, you can also ride a road bike like the Canyon Endurace, at home on the white roads that have made the Tuscan countryside famous all over the world.
Recommended bikes: Endurace, Grail
L’Eroica
ITALY SOUTH
This wonderful route crosses the Cilento National Park between the sea and the mountains. On The Silent Way, you will ride surrounded by silence, rugged nature, and barren landscapes: this is a true adventure.
The route is suitable for everyone, just plan your stages and take at least a couple of weeks to complete the itinerary. 70% of the route is on tarmac, so it’s suitable for trekking bikes, or a gravel bike if you want to tackle steep climbs faster and easier – although these can be circumvented with short detours. More adventurous riders can face the trip with the Grail and a specific set of bags for bikepacking. Cyclists who wish to have even a few hours to relax and swim in the sea can opt for the
Pathlite:ON,
the motor assistance will allow you to travel the stages in less time and tackle the uphill sections with less effort. By mounting the specific bags on the rack, it is be possible to gear up with everything you need.
Recommended bikes: Grail, Pathlite:ON
La Via Silente
The Apulian Aqueduct Cycle Route follows the route of the historical aqueduct pipes. 500 km long, it crosses three regions of Southern Italy and connects the most characteristic and fascinating places of Campania, Basilicata and Puglia.
The route can be split into six separate stages, all with a distance between 70 and 30 km and elevation gain between 800 and 150 meters. The official route is still not completed; access is forbidden in many places. It is therefore necessary to plan separated stages; the recommended ones are Alta Irpina, Vulture Melfese, Alta Murgia, Valle d'Itria, Terra d’Arneo and the hinterland of Salento. This tour is perfect for a bikepacking adventure with our gravel bike, the Grail. If you prefer to travel with your bike and discover the beauties of the Mezzogiorno, you can choose an electric trekking bike equipped with a double battery for greater range and a practical rack to easily mount bike bags, such as our Pathlite:ON.
Recommended bikes: Grail, Pathlite:ON
Apulia Aqueduct’s Bike Path
An epic bike route along the southern coast of Sicily, from Trapani to Siracusa. The itinerary will let you to discover Mediterranean landscapes, archaeological sites, small fishing villages and large towns, long sandy beaches and white cliffs. Most of the route is on secondary roads, with some off-road sections.
The SIBIT Bike Route is marked by specific signs at each point, it is the ideal destination for a bike tour and can be easily ride with a trekking bike or an e-bike. It is possible to split the journey into 8 stages, the track touches several urban centres and cities of historical and artistic interest. You will easily find accommodation for overnight stays in the magnificent villages of the island.
Recommended bikes: Pathlite, Pathlite:ON
Gravel is for everyone. This is because the morphology of the Italian territory allows for a great mix of asphalt and dirt roads, varying in length, inclination and difficulty. These roads all have one thing in common, though, and that is beauty. No matter what region you’re in, if you want to take your gravel bike on thrilling paths of various difficulties, there are dozens of opportunities for you. And if you are just starting out with a gravel bike, do not hesitate further: wherever you are, you’re in the right place.
Gravel gear is here
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