Tuscany is not hype. It is a place that touches you. Not by spectacular altimeters or brutal rocky paths, but rather by the rhythm of the region itself. And nowhere do you feel that better than during the Tuscany Trail - perhaps the biggest bikepacking event in the world. From 21 to 28 May 2025 the region is once again the setting for an adventure about gravel, history and community spirit.
Photos: TuscanyTrail.it
470 kilometres of pure Tuscany
The Tuscany Trail is a round trip of some 470 kilometres and 5,900 altimeters, right through the heart of Tuscany. From Campiglia Marittima on the Tyrrhenian coast to the Val d'Orcia, across the Crete Senesi, via Volterra and San Gimignano: this route connects 26 municipalities in one flowing story. No timekeeping, no rankings. During the Tuscany trail, it's all about you and your gravel bike. The essence of travelling by bike, in other words.
The course is challenging, but not extreme. And those who want a taste of bikepacking without immediately taking on a multi-day epic, opt for the 2025 new 160 km variant. This is an accessible route, with the same sense of adventure.
Want to discover more about cycling in this region? See our extensive article on Tuscany and plan your trip.
Gravel on the rise
According to Strava, the number of gravel rides uploaded in 2023 grew by 55%. This is not just a sign on the horizon. The Tuscany Trail is part of that global trend where graveling stands for freedom, connection and slowing down. You will discover Tuscany through white roads, gravel roads and quiet stretches of asphalt rarely seen on a route 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'll meet fellow riders from more than 50 countries, including some 1,000 women. It is a close-knit community.
Bike without a safety net
The Tuscany Trail is fully self-supported. That means: you arrange your own accommodation, food and navigation. That makes it not only adventurous, but also sustainable. You draw your own plan, so you have room to deviate from it when the sun sets over a hilltop village you didn't know yet.
Why you want to drive this
- International community: more than 6,000 participants, but no mass feeling
- Authentic gravel experience: you drive on roads that carry the soul of Tuscany
- Complete freedom: set your own pace and when you will experience something.
- Bikepacking at its purest: nothing no ultra's, just pure enjoyment
Starting point: Campiglia Marittima
In 2025, Campiglia Marittima will once again be the beating heart of the event. Located close to the coast, the medieval village is a perfect base to start your adventure or to recover by the sea afterwards.
More info & registration: tuscanytrail.it
Want to combine your trip with other gravel routes in Italy? Or are you looking for tips on bikepacking gear and accommodation in Tuscany? Contact us or get inspired via our Cycling in Tuscany page.
