10 best one day rides in Italy
With so many routes to choose from and so much beauty on offer, Italy offers the perfect place to cycle, explore and inspire the soul. Our team have handpicked the 10 best one day rides for cyclist of all abilities anywhere in Italy. Rides that will take you beyond the guidebook and in to the soul of Italy. Nothing beats the smell of fresh coffee as you ride through enchanting lanes, or even the sight of the sun setting over the Tuscan hills or maybe it’s the taste of that second glass of wine at lunch that makes you fall in love with Italy. Awaken your senses and fall in love with Italy on one of our day rides through the heart of Italy.
EXPLORING BERGAMO AND CITTÀ ALTA
Discover the foothills of Bergamo, famous for its upper town with remainders of the Roman Age. A relaxing ride on the cycle path through lush greenery, we’ll come across a 13th century sanctuary, a gentle uphill with great views of the countryside takes us into the historic centre, Cittá Alta. Once a Roman settlement, it is literally one of the most well-preserved and gorgeous old towns in Italy, thanks to the Venetian Republic who built the 15th century Venetian walls, now a UNESCO heritage. You will enjoy a well-deserved lunch in an authentic trattoria with a view, where we will taste Bergamasque specialties, accompanied by the local Valcaleppio wine! After lunch it’s time to explore the highlight of the day: Cittá Alta and its churches, squares, towers and little alleys with our expert local guide. Of course we’ll show you some hidden gems that only locals know!
Highlights
Lovely cycle paths
13th century sanctuary
Amazing guided tour Città Alta
Venetian walls, UNESCO heritage
Roman remainders
Destination: loop ride to Città Alta, Bergamo
Ride: 40 km, level 2, mostly cycle path, total elevation 200 mt.
Suggested bike: trekking bike, gravel bike, e-bike
VALLE BREMBANA
Starting in Zogno, take in the wildly beautiful Brembana Valley, on two wheels. The cycle path was built on the disused railway track in 1906 that connected Bergamo to San Pellegrino Terme and Piazza Brembana. Experience riding through old railway tunnels that add a special touch to this fabulous ride. In San Pellegrino Terme a coffee stop at the famous Pasticceria Bigio is a must-do! A quick sneak-peak of the Terme and Casino shows why San Pellegrino was THE venue for the European aristocracy in the 19th century.
In Piazza Brembana we will enjoy a typical Italian aperitivo, then we ride back some 20 minutes to ‘Ferdy’s’, a unique agriturismo where the chef will prepare us a remarkable ‘slow-food’ lunch. On our relaxed ride back to Zogno we’ll stop at a little hamlet, Camerata Cornello, where the Tasso family invented the postal service system that was copied worldwide.
Highlights
Lovely easy ride in a lush green valley
San Pellegrino and its Art Déco architecture
Ride through railway tunnels
Lunch at a unique agriturismo
Camerata Cornello hamlet
Destination: Zogno to Piazza Brembana and back
Ride: 42 km, level 1, mostly cycle path, total elevation 50 mt.
Suggested bike: trekking bike, gravel bike, e-bike
Meeting place: Zogno
LAKE ISEO EAST COAST
This is one of our favourites, we love the amazing and easy ride along the east coast of Lago d’Iseo, a mix of great views, enchanting villages, and more! You will soon understand why Lake Iseo is the best-kept secret in Northern Italy...
After a stroll through Iseo’s old town, we ride to Sulzano for a coffee stop overlooking Monte Isola. Phones on the ready for some great pictures here.. Further north the mountains are rocky, with a steep drop into the lake, unique scenery guaranteed! In fact we ride through some stunning cycle path tunnels, inside these majestic mountains. Pisogne with its lovely old centre invites us for an aperitif Italian style. Soon after we arrive in Lovere, worth a visit after our typical Italian lunch on the main square. Those who wish to complete the Lake Iseo loop can ride the west coast with our guide to Iseo, another 35 km, easy and flat. Those who prefer to relax will visit a special place to taste the extraordinary olive oil produced in this area. We will all meet again in Iseo for ice cream.
Highlights
Beautiful and easy ride along the lake shore
Visit Iseo, Pisogne and Lovere
Typical Italian lunch in a very scenic setting
Olive oil tasting
Complete the lake loop riding to Iseo
Destination: Iseo - Lovere
Ride: 30 km, level 1, mostly cycle path, flat / extension lake loop to Iseo, 65 km, level 2
Suggested bike: trekking bike, gravel bike, road bike, e-bike
FRANCIACORTA VINEYARDS
In Adro we hop on the bikes for a journey to the heart of Franciacorta, in the midst of nature at its best. The wine in this region is primarily sparkling white and the ever so slight rolling hills make the riding accessible and enjoyable for all. Absolute bliss. We will visit the ‘Torbiere del Sebino’ Nature Reserve, a great place to take pictures.. Then back in the saddle to a refined renovated ‘cascina’: Borgo Santa Giulia for a truly memorable lunch experience with a view to the vineyards.
Our final destination is the vineyard of Barone Pizzini. With a reputation for excellence and its organic wine producing process this is a ‘must’ place to visit. Spectacular views while walking through endless vineyards, a visit to the wine cellar where the sommelier will explain the wine-making process, and several great wines to taste. What is not to be loved... After the wine tasting it’s only a few kilometres back to our departure point.
Highlights
Lovely ride through the famed Franciacorta vineyards
Torbiere di Sebino natural reserve
Barone Pizzino wine tour and tasting
Destination: Franciacorta vineyards area
Ride: 40 km, level 2, mostly flat, cycle path and quiet roads
Suggested bike: trekking bike, gravel bike, road bike, e-bike
MILAN – VIGEVANO
We hop on the bikes in the famed Piazza Duomo Milan and head south-west through little historical streets to see the Roman Columns of San Lorenzo before taking the cycle path along Naviglio Grande canal. On a stunning ride alongside the Milan canal we travel through Lombardia farmlands to our final destination of Vigevano. A town blessed with one of the architecturally most important piazzas in Italy.
The ride into the Renaissance Piazza Ducale will take your breath away as will the quality of wine that accompanies lunch. Plenty time to visit the impressive Sforza Castle, one of the largest fortified complexes in Europe, and climb the Bramante Tower for great views. Leonardo da Vinci lived and worked here, an excellent occasion to get to know more of his genius in the Leonardiana museum. Our favourite lunch venue is a true hidden gem, where you can fall in love with local cuisine and the great wines made in this area.
Highlights
Beautiful ride along the Naviglio canal
Stunning Vigevano: Piazza Ducale, Castello Sforzesco, Torre di Bramante, Leonardiana
Lunch in a hidden gem just outside town
Destination: Vigevano
Ride: 41 km, level 1 mostly flat, 150 m elevation
Suggested bike: trekking bike, gravel bike, road bike, e-bike
LAKE GARDA
Today we will discover the lovely southern coast of lake Garda, on cycle paths and little roads surrounded by lush flowering Bougainville and Oleander trees. Lake Garda boasts a very mild climate, and this truly reflects in the overwhelming subtropical flora. Starting from historic Desenzano with its lovely little harbour, we will pass by the peninsula Sirmione, chosen by the Romans to build a castle and the first spa! An ideal stop to show you the Italian way of coffee drinking. At the Terme di Catullo do not miss the moment to take great pictures of the lake and its picturesque Roman remainders!
Heading east, the beautiful coastal cycle path brings us to Lazise, called little Venice for its canals and stunning main square that resembles the famed Piazza San Marco. In Bardolino you will have free time to wander around and soak in the Italian sunshine. Here you actually feel ‘going back in time’. After a delicious lakeside lunch we’ll transfer to the heart of Valpolicella for a truly fabulous olive oil tasting, with home-made bread and local cheese.
Highlights
Beautiful and relaxing ride along the lake with its lush vegetation
Sirmione old town, Castle and Terme
‘Little Venice’ Lazise
Bardolino and its lovely lunch venue
Olive oil tasting in Valpolicella hills
Destination: Desenzano to Bardolino
Ride: 35 km, flat, level 1
Suggested bike: trekking bike, gravel bike, e-bike
PROSECCO LOOP
A journey through the heart of Italy’s most famous wine region awaits those joining us for a ride of 30 kilometres passing through a succession of beautiful landscapes, learn about history, art and nature of the Prosecco. The Veneto region is rightly considered to be one of the most beautiful regions in Italy and the best way to explore this paradise is on two wheels. The day’s riding is on the famed rolling hills of the Prosecco region and after a short climb (what goes up must come down) leading to Refrontolo, you will descend towards Solighetto before passing Col San Martino and Colbertaldo.
We will of course stop in Valdobbiadene, the city of wine to enjoy the delights on offer. Wine tasting awaits at Fasol Menin, a fascinating place to visit for wine and art lovers. Salami and local cheese will also be enjoyed. The perfect place to end the perfect day.
Highlights
Spectacular landscape
Wine tasting and vineyard tour
Medieval villages
Delicious homemade lunch
Destination: Prosecco Loop to Valdobbiadene
Ride: 30 km, level 3, rolling hills, 900 mt elevation.
Suggested bike: trekking bike, gravel bike, e-bike
MONFORTE D’ALBA - BAROLO
A stunning day awaits those joining us for a ride of a cycling lifetime through the magical rolling hills of the Langhe. We ride through endless vineyards used to make the famous Barolo wines in the time honoured fashion.
This famous full bodied wine is rightly considered to be one of the best red wines anywhere in the world. During the ride we will visit the medieval castle that sits above Barolo and learn about the fascinating history that has shaped the Langhe.
More rolling hills await on the ride back to La Torricella. Our day finishes with a tour of the Diego Pressenda winery. Our favourite family-owned vineyard boosting very special views toward Torino. The tour will consist of tasting several wines as well as enjoying beautiful truffles and homemade olive oil.
Highlights
Spectacular landscape
Wine tasting and vineyard tour
Castle tour
Destination: Monforte d’Alba - Barolo
Ride: 48 km, level 3, rolling hills, total elevation 1.500 mt.
Suggested bike: road bike, gravel bike, e-bike
FAENZA TO BRISIGHELLA LOOP
This ride offers great landscape variety, history and cultural delights in both Faenza and the unique little town of Brisighella. Starting in Faenza, city of ceramics, we will have a sneak-peak into some lovely craft shops, and after a short ride we will be surrounded by the magic of the peaceful Romagna hills. As we pass through the ‘Chalk Vein Park’ a few challenging ascents await us, but what rewarding spectacular views we enjoy here - photographers love this extraordinary area!
In the stunning town Brisighella, built on three chalk outcrops, enjoy a walk around the medieval centre, and admire the ‘Donkey Alley’, an elevated road famous for its extraordinary architecture, as it supplied cover to the many carts and donkeys which used it in the past. The Brisighella area boasts a particular quality of olive oil, in fact it has its own classification. We won’t miss a chance to taste this fantastic olive oil at the outdoor oil museum.
Highlights
Faenza old town and ceramics
Stunning Chalk Vein Park nature reserve
Charming landscapes
The truly hidden gem Brisighella
Outdoor oil museum tour, superior oil tasting
Destination: Faenza - Brisighella loop
Ride: 45 km, level 2, rolling hills, elevation 450 mt.
Suggested bike: trekking bike, gravel bike, road bike, e-bike
RIMINI TO VERUCCHIO
Before hopping on our bikes in Rimini, some important Roman remainders like the Tiberius bridge
are waiting to show us their splendour. Rimini is also the home town of famous film director Federico Fellini... Riding towards the hinterland you will notice that every hilltop has its medieval village with
a castle, and we picked the best for you: Verucchio, city of art and wine! You will feel like biking in a painting by Piero della Francesca.. No visit to Verucchio is complete without a lunch at the famous Oste del Castello, with breath-taking views over the area. For those who wish to ride more, our guide will take you to stunning San Leo, accessible only through a road carved into the majestic rock. We will pedal back to Rimini along scenic little roads. A last stop in Sant’Arcangelo, a lovely hilltop village where time stands still. The village was built on a network of mysterious tufa caves, as we will experience ourselves...! Enjoy the sea breeze and spectacular views on the relaxed ride downhill back to Rimini.
Highlights
Spectacular landscape
Rimini’s Roman splendour
History, culture and pure beauty in Verucchio,
San Leo and Sant’Arcangelo
Extraordinary ride
Destination: Valmarecchia cycle route to Verucchio
Ride: 65 km, elevation 700 mt. / San Leo extension 85 km
Suggested bike: road bike, gravel bike, e-bike
