10 gravel events in Tuscany

Bikeboobs Trail is a bikepacking event that aims to encourage more women to travel by bike. Participants can put themselves to the test by riding independently and choosing the mode that best suits their style: gravel, MTB or e-bike. Usually taking place in September, 3 route variations are offered with distances ranging from 124 to 186 miles or 200 to 300 kilometers, to be tackled over 2, 3 or 4 days.

May 22–24 sees the return of Sterro Appalla, the event dedicated to biking on gravel roads, touring and mountain bikers along the unpaved roads of Chianti. It offers routes of varying difficulty and length, designed to suit the skill level of each participant. The program is spread over 3 days, with departure from Florence and transfer to the base camp in the municipality of Bagno a Ripoli, the actual ride day, then back to Florence by bike.

The Terre di Pisa Bike Trail is a permanent itinerary, ideal for gravel bikes and MTBs, that runs for over 310 miles or 500 kilometers encompassing the entire province of Pisa, ideally starting from the city of the Leaning Tower. From here, the route extends southward to Pomarance, offering a variety of views along dirt and secondary roads. To offer a taste of the extensive itinerary, a 1-day event with a shorter route from inland to the coast is organized every spring.

The Tuscany Trail is the largest bikepacking event in Tuscany, attracting thousands of cyclists from all over the world every year. This is a non-competitive event for gravel bikes and MTB, with 2 routes: a large loop of about 310 miles or 500 kilometers through many coastal and hilly areas versus a short version of about 100 miles or 160 kilometers. The event is totally self-supported, with no fixed milestones or deadlines to complete the route. Riders usually set off in May, in recent years with departure from the municipality of Campiglia Marittima.

Asprevie is an experience in the heart of the Apennines among the forests and villages that crisscross the Tuscan Valtiberina, a true borderland. The event takes place mainly in the territory of the municipality of Anghiari, also passing through the lands of Monterchi and Sansepolcro. 3 routes of different lengths (short, medium and long) and difficulty are planned. Riders can take part on gravel bikes or MTBs, including e-bikes.

Nova Eroica unites the epic spirit of the historic Eroica with modern bikes, held in the spring in Buonconvento, one of Italy’s most beautiful villages and a symbol of authentic cycling. Characterized by the “Race, Ride, Relax” format, it alternates competitive timed sections with free-running sections on the unpaved roads of Terre di Siena and Val d’Orcia.

Arezzo Gravel is a bicycle touring event designed for gravel and mountain bike enthusiasts, starting in the historic center of Arezzo. Its 4 routes follow the tracks of the permanent route of the renowned Ciclostorica L’Ardita (a vintage cycling event with short, classic, Ardita and Arditissimo routes), embracing the localities of Arezzo, Castiglion Fibocchi, Capolona and Subbiano.

Maremma in Gravel takes place in May and offers 2 great routes immersed in the wildest nature of Maremma. Each route then offers a choice between a long and shorter version. Among the stops: the Maremma Park, Diaccia Botrona Nature Reserve, Cala Violina, Talamone and Punta Ala.

The Granfondo Cicloturistica del Mugello is a permanent road course of 75 miles or 120 kilometers with an elevation gain of 7546 feet or 2300 meters, starting in Scarperia and with a maximum elevation of 3281 feet or 1000 meters. In June, the official event kicks off, offering 3 road routes and 2 gravel routes (classic and super gravel), along the gravel roads of Mugello and villages such as Luco, Borgo San Lorenzo, Vicchio and San Piero a Sieve.

With fall also comes Val d’Orcia Gravel, among the famous UNESCO heritage hills. It is usually held in mid-October, based in Castiglione d’Orcia. The event offers 4 routes on dirt, gravel and asphalt roads, combining sport, landscape and local flavors.