Cycling routes in Italy: maps and itineraries

Travelling slowly to discover the hidden beauties of our territory: a journey to be made alone or in company.

In Italy there are more than 18,000 kilometres of cycle routes that connect some of the most beautiful places in our country. In some cases, these are true cycle paths suitable for long-distance cycling, in others, short cycle routes that, in one or two stages, give us a slow weekend.

In this article you will find the 24 cycle paths where you can cycle in Italy and here all the info on the best travel bikes.

The most beautiful cycle paths in Italy

• Ciclopista del Sole

• Adriatic cycle path

• Via Silente

• Garda by bike

• Permanent Eroica Route

• Bourbon cycle path

• Valtellina Trail

• Lake Varese Cycle Path (Lombardy)

• Mincio and Po River Cycle Path (Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna)

• Po River Cycle Path

• Pusteria Cycle Path (Alto Adige)

• Martesana Canal (Lombardy)

• VenTo (Veneto, Lombardy, Emilia - Romagna and Piedmont)

• Venosta Valley Cycle Path (Upper Adige)

• Flower Cycle Path

• Assisi - Spoleto - Norcia

• Val di Merse cycle path

• Via Francigena cycle path

• Dolomites Cycle Path

• Via Claudia Augusta

• Via dei Lupi

• Conero cycling route

• Ponale Path

• Oglio Cycle Path

Bicycle Trails

There are more and more cycle paths in Italy: there are routes suitable for those who practice sport, those who prefer to cycle along historical, cultural and spiritual itineraries, those who seek out hidden places suspended in time, and those who 'get out' of the city for a day in contact with nature.

Autumn and spring are the best time to ride the most beautiful cycling routes in Italy. On bicitalia you can find the routes, paths and cycle networks planned by the Federazione Italiana Amici della Bicicletta.

SEE ALSO: WALKS IN ITALY

Italy's most beautiful cycle paths

• Ciclopista del Sole

The Ciclopista del Sole is the longest cycle path in Italy. It runs 3,000 km from north to south, from the Brenner Pass to Pelrmo, then up to Cagliari and Olbia.

The Ciclopista del Sole is part of a much larger cycle route, EuroVelo 7, which connects the North Cape to Malta via Italy. On the section from Rome to Campania, there are still no roads suitable for bicycle tourism, but the rest of the route is easy and practicable even for short stretches. Among the easiest and well-marked sections are the Val di Chiana cycle path and the Adige cycle path, which leads from the Brenner Pass to Verona.

• Adriatic Cycle Route

The Ciclovia Adriatica starts in Trieste and reaches Leuca in Apulia. Along the first section to the Po Delta there are several cycle paths and greenways.

The section in Abruzzo is also characterised by a long cycle path on a separate seat. Beyond Ortona a long stretch of former coastal railway is being transformed into one of the most beautiful cycle paths in Italy. Here are the most beautiful cycling routes in the Conero.

• Via Silente

In the province of Salerno there is a cycle route that starts at the sea and returns to the sea, allowing you to discover the Cilento slowly. The Via Silente is 600 km long and passes through low-traffic asphalt roads. It can be covered with any type of bike and is suitable even for the less trained. Only two points are difficult and test the cyclist who is not used to climbing.

• Garda by bike

140 kilometres along the surface of the water around Lake Garda. The Garda by bike is considered one of the most spectacular cycle paths in Europe. In fact, the track clings to the vertical walls overlooking the lake in a scenic route with sustainable engineering solutions. The project is a work in progress that will take the entire perimeter of Lake Garda.

• Permanent route of the Eroica

The Eroica is a beautiful event in which people pedal vintage bikes on the white roads of Tuscany. The Eroica also takes place in other places in the world: on the black roads of Mount Fuji in Japan, on the dirt roads of California, and in many other places.

In Tuscany, the Eroica routes have become marked and permanent routes that can be ridden at any time of year. You can cycle in the Chianti and Montalcino areas. Here you will find all the info on the permanent Eroica routes.

• Bourbon cycle route

The Ciclovia dei Borboni connects Naples to Bari. Unfortunately, 25 per cent of its 334 km crosses highways, while only 1 per cent of the route is actually on cycle paths. The Apulian section, particularly the one from Bari to Castel del Monte, however, is very beautiful and flat and makes it possible to avoid motorised stretches and pass through beautiful villages. From Bari to Matera there is an 80 km variant, also unfortunately only partly cyclable.

• Valtellina Trail(Lombardy)

The Sentiero della Valtellina (Valtellina Trail) is an 80-kilometre cycle path that runs almost entirely along the railway line, making it possible to move easily by train and bicycle. You cycle alongside the Adda between Colico and Tirano. The cycle path is in good condition, almost always with a dedicated track and is well signposted. Here you will find all the information on what to see in Sondrio and the surrounding area along the Valtellina cycle path.

SEE ALSO: DISUSED RAILWAYS

• Lake Varese Cycle Route (Lombardy)

The Ciclovia del Lago di Varese is a loop of only 29 km around the lake, beautiful for a half-day trip. The area is rich in reeds and beautiful mountains reflected in the water.

• Mincio and Po cycle path (Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna)

The Mincio cycle path runs from Peschiera del Garda to Mantova. It is 45 km along the Mincio embankment to Mantova, the city on the water. From here you take the Po cycle path to the Adriatic, passing through Ferrara. There are 70 km in all, passing through cities of art and ancient communication routes.

• Po River Cycle Path

It starts in Piacenza, covering 250 km along the Po route. Most of the cycle path runs along the banks of the river along embankment roads, unpaved country roads and other routes closed to traffic.

If you wish, you can start from Pavia, adding another 80 km to the route.

• Pustertal cycle path (South Tyrol)

On the Val Pusteria cycle path, in the centre of the Dolomites, you cycle along the valley floor and the difference in altitude is not great. The total length is 105 km, which can also be broken up into three stages, as there are many villages in the area to pass through and in which to stop.

• Naviglio Martesana (Lombardy)

The Martesana, Leonardo Da Vinci's naviglio (canal), starts in the centre of Milan and reaches the Adda. The route proceeds through greenery among old farmsteads and villages. It passes Cernusco sul Naviglio (next to the Villa Alari Visconti) and Groppello d'Adda with its noria possibly designed by Leonardo da Vinci himself.

• VenTo (Veneto, Lombardy, Emilia - Romagna and Piedmont)

VenTo (which stands for Veneto and Piedmont) is a cycle route that follows the course of the Po river, crossing Italy longitudinally. Of the 679 km of the route, only 100 km are currently cyclable and unfortunately discontinuous. The Turin Polytechnic's project is in progress. At www.progetto.vento.polimi.it you can find all the updates. Here you will find the most beautiful cycle paths in the Veneto.

• Val Venosta cycle path (Upper Adige)

The Val Venosta cycle path runs from Merano to Resia, famous for the surreal bell tower that emerges alone from the lake. The route measures 83 km and is well signposted. There is also the possibility of a gourmet variant: from the Lagundo lido, past a footbridge to Foresta Castle and Marlengo, to Lana d'Adige, from where you can continue along the Wine Route.

• Ciclovia dei Fiori (Liguria)

From San Lorenzo to Ospedaletti there is a cycle path that follows a recently decommissioned section of the old Genoa-Ventimiglia railway. The cycle path should count more than 60 km, but for now it only measures 24 km, all on an asphalted, dedicated and well-marked track that runs alongside the sea.

LOOK ALSO: SILK CYCLE PATH

• Assisi - Spoleto - Norcia

The cycle path connecting Assisi and Spoleto runs alongside the canals of the reclaimed land, almost always on flat land. The cycle path passes through the villages of Bevagna and Trevi and allows for some fine dining in Umbrian trattorias.

Near Spoleto there is also a cyclosteria on the cycle path where you can shower and eat. Here you will find all the info on the Spoleto - Assisi cycle path. Here you will find all the info on the Spoleto Norcia cycle path along the disused railway.

• Val di Merse cycle path

It starts from the Montagnola Senese and reaches the southern offshoots of the Elsa and Cecina valleys, rolling south to the Ombrone valley, which touches the Grosseto Maremma and the Crete Senesi.

The cycling route develops entirely on secondary roads with no traffic. By choosing the flatter stages, it is also suitable for less experienced cyclists. Here you will find all the information on the Grand Tour of the Val di Merse.

Via Francigena by bicycle

The Via Francigena is an itinerary that leads to Rome and follows the routes travelled by pilgrims to Saint Peter's from the north and south. The Via Francigena can also be travelled by bicycle, choosing on some stretches variants more suitable for two wheels.

• Dolomites cycle path

The Dolomites cycle path follows the route of the old railway line that connected Calalzo di Cadore to Dobbiaco, which was decommissioned in the 1960s.

The first part of the route, from the Calalzo station to the Cortina station, is almost entirely asphalted, and then gives way to a dirt road. Particularly impressive is the section through Oltrechiusa, where from the cycle path it is possible to admire the Pelmo-Croda da Lago, Antelao, Marmarole and Sorapiss mountains.

• Via Claudia Augusta

The cycle path along the Via Claudia Augusta partly follows the ancient Roman road, which is also the easiest and least sloping pass in the Alps. The highlight of this cycle route is the variety of landscapes, from the Venetian plains to the mountains and Alpine villages.

The cycle path starts in Venice and ends in Donauwoerth, a German town on the Danube.

• SEE ALSO: CYCLE PATHS IN VENETO

• Way of the Wolves

The Via dei Lupi is a route to be taken on foot or by mountain bike through the Simbruini mountains in 14 stages through abandoned villages and woods where the Apennine wolf used to live.

• Conero Riviera by bike

The Conero area is marked by numerous trails that have the grace of combining the sea with the hills and in some cases even the most demanding climbs. There are individual thematic routes ranging from those of around ten kilometres to those of around forty kilometres (there is that of the Ancona castles, that of Leopardi's Colli dell'Infinito and those of the sea). These cycle paths can be united into a single route to discover the most beautiful sides of the Conero and the Marche region by cycling slowly.

• Ponale Path

One of our favourite cycle paths is a scenic dirt track that joins Lake Garda with Lake Lecco. The cycle path can be ridden there and back in a single day, but can be linked to other cycle paths in the area for a real multi-day trip in the saddle. The ponale is an old disused road built along the steep slopes of Garda Trentino. It starts in Torbole and through a series of spectacular hairpin bends and tunnels runs along the lake. Not to be missed!

• Oglio Cycle Route

The Oglio Cycle Route is one of the most beautiful in Italy. It starts at Passo del Tonale and reaches Ponte di Barche in San Matteo di Chiaviche, in the Mantua area, crossing the whole of Lombardy from northeast to southwest. It passes through four provinces, touching on breathtaking landscapes of historical, cultural and gastronomic interest. The Oglio Cycle Route is 280 km long with an altitude difference of 1,800 metres. Ninety per cent of the route is on cycle paths or dirt roads (30%), which are perfectly well maintained and suitable for all types of cyclists and bicycles.

Milan cycle paths

There are numerous cycle paths in Milan. In addition to the urban cycle routes, there are numerous paths from Milan to places in the vicinity.

Among the most interesting are those along the Navigli. You start at the dock of Porta Ticinese to cycle along the three canals that have built Milan's commercial and economic importance in the past. On the website of the Municipality of Milan you will find the list and directions of the Milan Cycle Paths.

Rome Bicycle Paths

On the website of the Municipality of Rome, you will find the map with the Rome by Bike routes that marks all the routes of urban cycling and spaces where you can cycle in the city. According to the Corriere della Sera, Roma Capitale has 240 km of cycle paths, 110 of which are located within green areas. Among the most beautiful are the Tiber cycle path, the Rome-Rieti one that crosses the Salaria, and the one from Villa Borghese to the Pista Tiberina. Among the new projects to be implemented are three new cycle paths: the Nomentana, which will connect Porta Pia to the Via dei Campi Flegrei cycle path, the Prenestina and the Tuscolana. At this link you will find information on all the routes and cycle paths in the municipality of Rome, with useful updates for those moving by bike.

Bicycle paths in Turin

On the Metropolitan City of Turin website you will find a guide to the cycle routes in and around the city of Turin. In addition to the city routes, there are a number of itineraries that we recommend, such as the Strade Colori e Sapori (Colours and Flavours Routes), the cycle routes of the Monte San Giorgio - Piossasco Provincial Nature Park, and the cycle route from Turin to Venaria Reale. On the site you will find information on the route, the map, tracks and a guide on how to tackle it, here for more information.

Bologna Cycle Paths

Bologna is the perfect city for cyclists. In the city there is a cycle path network more than 150 km long.

The municipality has laid out 12 routes that will allow you to discover Bologna. Among the most interesting cycle paths is the one from Bologna to Casalecchio del Reno. The cycle path starts in the historic centre and, halfway along the route, allows a diversion to the Barca district. On the official Bologna tourism website you will find all the routes, maps and useful information.

Map of cycle paths: where to find them on Google Maps

Where to find cycle paths? On Bikeitalia you will find an up-to-date list of all cycling routes and itineraries in Italy divided by region. For each cycle path you will find the route, information, map and stages. On gpsies.com you will find the map of the route you are interested in: you can calculate the route, the gps track and the kml file of the map to view with Google Earth. On Mapslow you can create personalised walking and cycling routes.

Google Maps has for some years now included the perfect feature for those who move by bicycle, allowing you to see on the map the best bicycle route taking into account the level of traffic, the gradient of the roads, and the presence or absence of bicycle lanes. The service is not yet available for Italy.

Regulations on cycle lanes

On the Fiab website you will find the main regulatory references on bike lanes Italy, click here for all necessary information. Here you will find all useful information on the new Tourist Mobility Plan finally approved by decree of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

It is highly recommended to take out bicycle insurance before embarking on a cycling trip. You can find useful information and the possibility of taking out insurance on the Fiab website.

Video best cycle routes in Italy

Cycle routes in Europe

The Paris - London, the Camino de Santiago or the Ecovia Litoral in Portugal. There are so many trails that you can cycle around Europe.

Before setting off, we advise you to plan your trip, your stops and your route well. There are numerous tour operators and agencies that allow you to rent bikes locally and organise cyclotours where they take care of everything.

• Italy