English Italy isn’t short on great cycle paths, but the real challenge is choosing one without getting distracted by gelato shops and hilltop trattorie along the way. From the Riviera dei Fiori’s sea breezes to the apple orchards of Val Venosta and the olive groves of Puglia, each trail offers a different slice of Italian life on two wheels. Italians love cycling, it’s in the country’s sporting DNA, and more and more expats are catching the bug, using weekend rides as a way to discover corners of Italy they’d never find by car.
If you’re wondering when to ride, spring and autumn are the sweet spots. April to June and September to October give you longer days, cooler temperatures and fewer crowds. Summer can be glorious but think siesta-style: ride early or late and leave midday for lunch or a nap. Winter cycling is possible in the south but the Alps and Apennines can be snowbound.
Breaks are built into the culture. Every few kilometres you’ll find a café or bar serving espresso and pastries, and even on the most rural cycle paths there’s usually a fountain or a bench to pause on. Some routes run through old railway tunnels that stay cool on hot days, while others have bike-friendly inns and “bicigrill” stops serving pasta instead of power bars. It’s one of the pleasures of Italian cycling: you’re never far from a cappuccino or a view.
Expats living in Italy often say cycling helped them feel at home faster than any language class. It’s a social icebreaker: you stop at a café, lean your bike against the wall, and within minutes someone’s telling you about their favourite climb or giving you tips on where to refill your bottle.
With so many routes across Italy, a few stand out as favourites among locals, travellers, and expats alike. Here are some of the most loved cycle paths, each offering not just a ride but a glimpse into the landscape and traditions of its region.
Riviera dei Fiori – Liguria’s Seaside Classic
📍 Location: Liguria, stretching between San Lorenzo al Mare and Ospedaletti, near Sanremo.
🚴 Type of tour: Flat and easy 33 km seaside ride, perfect for families or relaxed day trips.
✨ Famous for: Coastal views, fishing villages, beaches and flowers.
Once a railway line hugging the Ligurian coast, this route has been transformed into a wide, car-free promenade. Cyclists roll past colourful houses and tiny harbours, stopping for gelato in Sanremo or a dip at one of the pebble beaches. Because it’s flat and well-paved, it’s a favourite for beginners and families – though seasoned cyclists still love it for the views and sea breezes. Along the way, you’ll find cafés, picnic spots and bike rental points, making it one of Italy’s most accessible coastal rides.
Val Venosta / Vinschgau – Alpine Descent in South Tyrol
📍 Location: South Tyrol, from Resia Pass at the Austrian border down to Merano.
🚴 Tour style: About 80 km downhill ride, suited for day trips or leisurely touring. Moderate route if ridding uphill.
✨ Famous for: Apple orchards, castles, alpine scenery and smooth paths.
Starting at the high-altitude Resia Pass, the trail winds down through orchards and alpine villages before reaching Merano. The gentle gradient makes it accessible for all fitness levels. Along the way, cyclists encounter medieval castles, mountain lakes and local farms. In autumn, apple harvest season turns the route into a rolling celebration of South Tyrol’s fruit-growing tradition.
Valtellina Trail – Lombardy’s Green Corridor
📍 Location: Lombardy, running along the River Adda from Lake Como to Tirano.
🚴 Tour style: 80 km riverside route, suitable for touring bikes and e-bikes. Easy-moderate route..
✨ Famous for: Vineyards, mountain landscapes and wine culture.
The Valtellina Trail offers a peaceful ride through northern Italy’s wine country. Starting near Lake Como, the cycle path follows the River Adda through a valley framed by alpine peaks. Riders can stop at vineyards to sample local reds, visit historic towns like Morbegno, or simply enjoy the mix of nature and culture. It’s a favourite for long, relaxed day rides or overnight trips with stays in agriturismi.
Arno Cycle Bike Trail Route – Tuscany’s Art and Countryside
📍 Location: Tuscany, following the River Arno from its source to Pisa and the sea.
🚴 Tour style: Around 270 km when complete, with current open sections near Florence, Arezzo and Pisa. Mostly gentle terrain.
✨ Famous for: Renaissance cities, Tuscan countryside and river landscapes.
This route combines cycling with some of Italy’s greatest art cities. You can ride through the rolling hills around Arezzo, stop in Florence to admire the Duomo, and continue west through Pisa to the Ligurian coast. Vineyards, cypress trees and small hilltop towns add to the scenery, while stretches along the river keep the riding gentle. It’s ideal for multi-day tours that mix culture and countryside.
Alpe Adria Cycle Paths – Cross-Border Adventure
📍 Location: From Salzburg in Austria to Grado on Italy’s Adriatic coast.
🚴 Tour style: Multi-day international route, crossing alpine and Friulian landscapes. Medium difficulty (mix of alpine descents and rolling terrain).
✨ Famous for: Alpine tunnels, old railways, hilltop towns and cross-border cycling.
The Italian section of the Alpe Adria is a highlight for riders who love variety. After crossing the Alps, cyclists follow old railway lines through tunnels and bridges, descend into Friuli’s rolling hills, and finally reach the Adriatic coast. It’s a journey of contrasts: mountain passes, vineyards, Roman ruins and seaside towns, making it one of Europe’s best cross-border bike adventures.
Treviso–Ostiglia Cycle Path: A Ride Through Venetian Countryside
📍 Location: Veneto, running about 118 km between Treviso and Ostiglia.
🚴 Tour style: Mostly flat, paved and traffic-free; easy to moderate depending on how much you ride in a day.
✨ Famous for: Venetian villas, canals, rural landscapes and historic railway stations.
Following the route of a former railway line, the Treviso–Ostiglia cycle path cuts across the Venetian plain linking the city of Treviso with Ostiglia on the River Po. Cyclists roll past historic stations, canals, tree-lined avenues and fields dotted with old farmhouses. Because it’s almost entirely car-free and well signposted, it’s ideal for families, touring cyclists and anyone who wants a full day in the saddle without steep climbs. Along the way you’ll find rest areas, cafés and bike hire points, making it a popular and accessible route for both locals and visitors.
Apulian Aqueduct & Valle d’Itria – Olive Groves and Trulli
📍 Location: Puglia, running through Valle d’Itria and parts of the historic Apulian aqueduct.
🚴 Tour style: Gentle countryside trails, ideal for day rides or short tours. Easy-moderate.
✨ Famous for: Olive groves, trulli houses, Adriatic views and southern cuisine.
In Puglia, cycling feels like a slow journey through tradition. The cycle paths passes olive groves, whitewashed villages and trulli houses with their conical roofs. Riders can stop in towns like Alberobello or Locorotondo for a glass of local wine and a plate of orecchiette pasta. Views of the Adriatic appear between fields, reminding cyclists that the sea is never far away.
Valsugana Cycle Path – Mountain Rivers and Quiet Woods
📍 Location: Trentino and Veneto, between Levico Terme and Bassano del Grappa.
🚴 Tour style: 80 km cross-regional route, well-signposted and family-friendly. Cycle paths are moderate, with some gentle climbs.
✨ Famous for: Alpine rivers, forested valleys and bike-friendly cafés.
The Valsugana route follows the River Brenta through quiet valleys and wooded hillsides. Cyclists enjoy a mix of mountain scenery and welcoming towns, with plenty of bike-friendly stops offering local food. Along the way, rental points and well-marked paths make it easy for visitors to explore without planning every detail. It’s especially popular in summer, thanks to the refreshing riverside stretches.
E-Bikes: Opening the Trails to Everyone
You don’t have to bring your own bike to enjoy these routes. On the Alpe Adria cycle paths, for example, you can pick up a simple city e-bike in Treviso for about €30 a day, while a high-spec full-suspension e-MTB from another shop in the same area can reach €75 a day. In practice, nearly all the other trails mentioned also have bike shops close by, so wherever you go in Italy it is now common and easy to rent an e-bike near your chose cycle paths. Renting on site means you can tackle longer distances and hillier sections without worrying about fitness or transport. It is a great way for newcomers or families to enjoy Italy’s cycling trails with less effort and more time to take in the view.
The Road Ahead
Cycling in Italy is as much about the journey as the destination. The cycle paths here aren’t just lines on a map – they’re a moving postcard of sea, hills, towns and cafés waiting to be discovered. With infrastructure steadily improving and seasons that favour long rides in spring and autumn, it’s easy to plan your own adventure. Pack your bike, your curiosity and maybe a spare inner tube, and give yourself time to stop. In Italy, the best moments on two wheels often happen when you’re off the saddle, sipping an espresso or staring at a view you didn’t expect.
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