Italy by gravel bike

The best gravel bike routes in Italy

Italy is the homeland of gravel in all its facets. The philosophy of the gravel bike, in fact, is very close to the Italian way of conceiving a cycling holiday: dirt roads or roads with broken asphalt, few cars, the scent of spring and summer, good food, good wine and sleepy villages to cross in the silence and tranquility of the encounter with the cordial and welcoming inhabitants. This is why we have decided to select the best gravel bike itineraries in Italy with all the information you need to organize your gravel bike holiday independently or with the support of a tour operator.

To select the best gravel itineraries in Italy, we have taken into consideration some parameters such as compatibility with a 2 to 14 day holiday, the accessibility of the itinerary by means of transport and the presence of cycle tourism services in the surrounding area.

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1. Sicily Divide Gravel Bike Route

Sicily Divide is a permanent itinerary that crosses the center of Sicily. There are several itineraries that allow it to be traveled on with any type of bike, but we recommend doing it with a gravel or mountain bike.

450 km
9000 meters elevation gain
5-7 days
asphalt 60%
gravel road 40%
all kind of bikes

Sicily Divide is a permanent itinerary for gravel bicycles, or mountain bikes, which crosses the center of Sicily. The itinerary was designed to be traveled from Trapani to Catania, or from Palermo to Catania, but you can decide to do the “reverse” version from Catania to Trapani or from Palermo to Trapani. Whichever direction you want to travel, it is always possible to collect the Divider’s Pass free of charge in authorized centers before leaving and the journey certificate once you arrive at your destination.

On the Sicily Divide official website it is possible to see all the characteristics of the itinerary, book bike hotels, rent a bike and locate the checkpoints where it is possible to stamp the pass.

2. Via Francigena by Gravel Bike

The Via Francigena is an itinerary born as a pilgrimage and then adapted to be traveled by bicycle. There are different itineraries for different types of bikes but we recommend using a gravel, mountain or trekking bike.

1100 km
9500 mts elevation gain
7-14 days
asphalt 50%
gravel road 50%
all kind of bikes

The Via Francigena was born as a pilgrimage route for walkers but the original track has also been adapted for bicycles. The route that goes from the Gran San Bernardo to the Vatican in Rome is very fascinating, both scenically and spiritually.

Accommodation system, credential stamps and signage are among the best in all of Italy so fun is guaranteed. Furthermore, the mixed asphalt dirt track is really fun and never leaves room for boredom.

On the official website of the Via Francigena you can download the GPX track, look for accommodation for accommodation and look for the points where you can find the stamps for the credential.

3. Via Romea by Gravel Bike

The Via Romea was originally traced as a path for pilgrims but over time it has also become quite famous among cyclists. Fun is guaranteed as you traverse spectacular locations on mixed terrain.

1090 km
9500 mts elevation gain
7-14 days
asphalt 60%
gravel road 40%
any kind of bike

The Via Romea, also called Germanica, is a very ancient pilgrimage route which leads from Stade in Germany to Rome. The Italian stretch goes from Bassano del Grappa to Rome, crossing some of the most famous cycling resorts in Italy. The mixed asphalt dirt road surface, the many places to see and the variety of the landscape make this itinerary one of the milestones of gravel in Italy. The track, therefore, is perfect for gravel bikes given the percentage of asphalt. We recommend luggage that is as compact and light as possible given the high positive difference in height.

On the official website of the Via Romea you can download the GPX track, look for accommodation for accommodation and look for the points where you can find the stamps for the credential.

4. Grand Cycling Tour of Sicily by Gravel Bike

The Grand Cycling Tour of Sicily by gravel bike is the longest cycle tour in Sicily as it covers the entire tour of Sicily by bicycle for a total of 1200 kilometres.

1200 km
4000 mts elevation gain
asphalt 85%
gravel road 15%
every kind of bike

The Grand Cycling Tour of Sicily can be covered with any type of bike given the low percentage of dirt roads. Despite the high mileage of asphalt, however, traffic is almost always very little or even absent. Why do we recommend the Circumnavigation of Sicily in gravel? Because at any time it is possible to leave the original route for a few meters and divert towards one of the thousands of coves and beaches that you meet along the route.

Visit the official website of the Grand Cycling Tour of Sicily by gravel bike to download the GPX track for free, book accommodation, get information on places to see, things not to miss and find all the fountains to stock up on water.

5. Trasimeno Lake Cycleway

The Trasimeno cycle route by bicycle is a ring itinerary around Lake Trasimeno.

58 km
105 mts elevation gain
2-3 days
asphalt 60%
gravel road 40%
every kind of bike

The Trasimeno cycle path is a very short but also very intense itinerary as it crosses some of the most beautiful villages in Umbria. The route is simple given that the surface is mixed between a dirt road, a cycle path and some sections of asphalt on a mixed road with little traffic. Suitable for any type of bike and any level of training, the Trasimeno Cycle Path, also known as the Trasimeno Cycle Path, is truly suitable for everyone and can be an idea for a weekend by bike with the possibility of swimming in one of the many lidos along the route.

Find out more about the Trasimeno Lake Cycle Way by gravel bike to download the GPX track for free, book accommodation, get information on places to see, things not to miss and find all the fountains to stock up on water.