We’re looking for well-paved cycling tracks in the Tuscany region. Last summer, we cycled around the hills, farms, and sea in Sylt, where they had excellent dedicated bike paths. We’d love a similar experience in Tuscany—smooth, well-marked routes for self-guided exploration, rather than rugged off-road trails. Any recommendations?
Much easier on Sylt as an island--I can't think of anything so confined in Tuscany--people are either road bikers or mountain bikers (tons of both), or in a rural area you will be sharing the road. I have ridden a couple times in Maremma park, where for example if you have children in your group you would feel safe riding. There are paths all through the park, several rental operations including e-bikes (nice for getting over the incline to see amazing views and reach hiking paths to the sea).
You might want to share where else you plan to be, not sure if Maremma park would be close enough.
Biking is very popular in Lucca, but aside from the town walls, you will run out of paths quickly unless you go outside town to the park where you can ride along the Serchio River. Now I am thinking of some of the other coastal parks in Tuscany, where biking may be possible--there is one near Pisa.
Last, you can ride on the via Francigena is some places.
I was once an active long distance cyclist, but NO WAY would I bike on highways in Italy.
I am very experienced on roads here in Colorado with over 30 years doing major rides and tours, i would never ride in Italy unless you are on a dedicated or very lightly travelled route and those are rare. You can ride on the Strada Bianca or the limestone gravel roads where the event “L’Eroica” takes place. But other than that, stay with the car.
FYI, I no longer ride on the roads here in Colorado. As a retired personal injury lawyer that had to handle too damn many bike accident cases, it is simply too risky with all of the distracted driver here and in Italy.
Can you suggest any biking track near Chianti region, not necessarily near any sea or lake.