Tuscany is not hype. It is a place that touches you. Not by spectacular heights or brutal rock faces, but by the rhythm of the region itself. And nowhere does it feel better than during the Tuscany Trail – perhaps the largest bikepacking event in the world. From May 21 to 28, 2025 The region once again becomes the setting for an adventure through gravel, history, and community spirit.
Photos: TuscanyTrail.it
470 kilometers of pure Tuscany
The Tuscany Trail is a round of about 470 kilometers en 5,900 altitude meters, Across the heart of Tuscany. From Campiglia Marittima on the Tyrrhenian coast to the Val d’Orcia, over the Crete Senesi, via Volterra and San Gimignano: this route connects 26 municipalities into one fluid narrative. No timekeeping, no ranking. During the Tuscany trail, it’s all about you and your gravel bike. The essence of cycling travel, therefore.
The course is challenging, but not extreme. And anyone who wants to experience mountain biking without immediately embarking on a multi-day epic journey will choose the new 160 km variant. This is an accessible route, with the same sense of adventure.
Want to discover more about cycling in this region? Check out our comprehensive article about Tuscany and plan your trip.
Gravel on the rise
According to Strava, the number of uploaded gravel rides in 2023 grew by 55%. That’s not just a sign on the wall. The Tuscany Trail is part of that global trend in which gravel is synonymous with freedom, connection, and slowing down. You discover Tuscany through white roads, gravel roads, and quiet stretches of asphalt that rarely appear on a map. Strade Bianche, but different. You ride through vineyards, past the famous Tuscan cypresses, and over rolling hills that once inspired paintings. Along the way, you encounter fellow riders from more than 50 countries, including an annual amount of 1,000 women. It's a close-knit community.
Cycling without a safety net
The Tuscany Trail is Fully self-supported. That means: you arrange your own accommodations, food, and navigation. That not only makes it adventurous, but also sustainable. You draw up your own plan and have the freedom to deviate from it when the sun sets over a hill town you haven’t yet visited.
Why you want to drive this
- International community: more than 6,000 participants, but no sense of mass
- Authentic gravel experienceYou drive over roads that carry the soul of Tuscany
- Full freedom: determine your own pace and when you want to experience something.
- Biking in its purest form: No ultra-ness at all, just pure enjoyment
Starting point: Campiglia Marittima
In 2025, Campiglia Marittima will once again be the beating heart of the event. This medieval village is located right by the coast and is the perfect base from which to start your adventure or to take a break at the seaside afterwards.
More info & registration: tuscanytrail.it
Do you want to combine your trip with other gravel routes in Italy? Or are you looking for tips on bikepacking gear and accommodations in Tuscany? Contact us or get inspired through our Biking in Tuscany page.
0 responses
Great write-up on the Tuscany Trail. Worth adding for anyone weighing this as a self-guided trip instead of full bikepacking: swap the panniers for a luggage transfer and the daily rhythm changes a lot; you ride with the weight of a day pack, and you know exactly where you are sleeping each night instead of scouting on arrival. Same 470km, same white gravel, much less weight on the climbs out of Volterra and San Gimignano. I run self-guided routes through this exact area (Tuscany Bike Route) if anyone wants specifics on logistics.