The region around Pisa is putting itself firmly on the map as a gravel destination. At 17, 18 and 19 April 2026 find the first Terre di Pisa Bike Days event takes place, a three-day gravel and cycling event with expo, test bikes and guided rides through the Tuscan hinterland. The organisation is a collaboration between the Chamber of Commerce of Northwest Tuscany and the tourism association of 26 municipalities in the region. We previously wrote about the Terre di Pisa Bike Trail as Tuscany 2.0. And editor Sander was there in 2025 and shot the pictures below. Non è male!
Giardino Scotto - cycling from a fortified park
The epicentre is Giardino Scotto, an old fortress in the middle of Pisa that now serves as a city park. A Bike Village will be built there with an expo-area where brands will show their bikes ánd have them tested. Access to the expo is free, but to test bikes you need to register.
You don't test on a round of asphalt here, but on the routes around it. Tuscan surface, in other words.
There is also a Bike Park for kids from 2 to 12 years old, guided by instructors. Handy if you take the family along and want to test yourself.
The rides - Friday gravel, Saturday sea, Sunday mountains
During the three days, guided group rides are scheduled, each with a different character:
| Bye | Ride | Departure |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 17 April | Gravel Ride del Lago | Giardino Scotto |
| Saturday 18 April | Urban Ride del Mare | Lungarno Leonardo Fibonacci, 16:30 |
| Sunday 19 April | Road Ride della Montagna | 9:00 |
Friday: a gravel ride along the lake, starting from the Bike Village. Saturday is a laid-back urban ride towards the sea, Sunday it's into the mountains by road. Three flavours in three days.
Terre di Pisa Bike Trail - if you do go
And then the bigger picture. The Terre di Pisa Bike Trail Is a permanent round of ±535 km, spread over eight stages. Count on some 43% offroad and 9,900 altimeters. The route runs through the interior of the province of Pisa: from the hills near Casciana Terme and the wine region around Lari, via the nature reserve at Santa Luce, to the geothermal steam fields in the Valle del Diavolo at Pomarance. Then on to Volterra with its Etruscan history, the truffle region around San Miniato, and via Pontedera (yes, the Vespa museum) back to Pisa.
We drove sections of it before and can confirm: the routes are beautiful. Tuscan hills, white roads, vineyards, hilltop villages.
Only have one extra day after Bike Days? Then grab the first leg towards Casciana Terme Lari. Got two or three? Drive on to Volterra.
How to get there - fly, rent, sleep
Transavia flies directly from Amsterdam to Pisa, on average twice a week. Flight time: just over two hours. From the airport, take the Pisa Mover to the main train station, and from there you can be in the city centre in no time.
Not bringing a bike? There are local rental companies that deliver gravel bikes to your accommodation. CCT Bikerentals Rents the Giant Revolt 0, among others, Tuscany Biking has gravel bikes with SRAM Apex and also offers shuttle services.
For overnight accommodation, this region is right for you with agriturismi, farm stays where you often also get local olive oil and wine to go with it. E-bike riders: charging points are available in Pomarance and Peccioli, and many agriturismi charge your battery upon request.
Practical
- What: Terre di Pisa Bike Days 2026
- When: 17, 18 and 19 April 2026
- Where: Giardino Scotto, Pisa
- Access expo: free of charge (registration required for bike tests)
- Flying: Transavia, Amsterdam-Pisa, ±2 hours
We will keep an eye on this event. Are you heading to Pisa in April? Or do you have a golden tip for an agriturismo with good bike storage in the region? We'd love to hear about it!
More gravel in Tuscany? Is Tuscany really the best gravel destination (spoiler: yes!)?
