We already reported about the new project of the Italian Ministry of Tourism, ENIT. They want to promote cycling holidays of all kinds and they have done it in the most epic way you can imagine. The Le Vie del Bike (the bike streets) route. A total of 5300 kilometers of roads for cycling in Italy. Then you cycle north via the Dolomites, through central Italy, with popular places like the beautiful Lake Garda and the famous Lake Como. Tuscany And then you head further down to the heel. All the way in the south of the country, you take the ferry for a short crossing to Sicily and once you’re across that island, Sardinia is waiting for you too. Explorer Femke got to try it out a little while ago and after her infectious report of Tuscany, you’ll want to see more right away. Here Umbria, the next stage in the cycling streets of Italy.
Text by Femke Rotteveel, Photos by Francesco Lasca
Umbria: the unknown does not make one indifferent
We cross the regional border from Tuscany to Umbria and slowly the landscape changes. Tuscany’s signature is the beautiful hills with those beautiful rows of cypresses and olive trees. Umbria has much more forest and we cycle through a deep wide canyon with grey rock walls on both sides. Especially beautiful in autumn colors! We also cycle up the Passo Madonna della Cima, which is not exciting for the experienced cyclist. Compared to the hills in Tuscany, I can definitely get into a nice climbing rhythm here.
Cycling destination Umbria
Umbria is much less well known to the average cyclist. Perugia and the capital Terni will ring a bell for few unless you are somewhat familiar with football. (Perugia is the birthplace of Fabrizio Ravanelli). It is hilly like Tuscany, with the highest climb of about 800 meters, the Monte Peglia. If you want to see some more natural spectacle, then descend towards the Marmore Falls. Not bad. Cycling in Italy can therefore also be done in the beautiful Umbria. This is what the Vie del Bike also shows.
Gravel bike needed
The gravel roads in Tuscany are perfectly suitable for cycling with a regular road bike, but more comfortable with a gravel bike. In Umbria, I decide that the gravel bike is the best way to complete the entire Le Vie del Bike tour, because the roads here are full of cracks, potholes, and crevasses. My German travel companion perfectly puts this into words after we have descended a bit over a bump with the question: “How are your teetzh doing?!”. He means my teeth, not…
Gubbio and the surrounding area
Finally, in the distance, Gubbio appears, another village that you simply have to drive through if you are going to cycle this route, even though you will have to brave streets with an incline of 15% or more. Gubbio has a castle built on the slope of Monte Ingino, offering a great view over the landscape. The village has a special connection with cycling: since 1981, around Christmas time, the largest Christmas tree (30 football fields) in the world is made on the mountain, consisting of more than 1000 colored lights. To light the lanterns, you can cycle down from the church with torches to “turn on” the lights. We were just too early for this ritual. This shows once again that cycling on Le Vie del Bike can be particularly enjoyable both in autumn and winter!
Sleeping wonderfully
Are you still looking for a good place to sleep around Gubbio? We sleep in Park Hotel ai Cappuccini, one of the 46 luxury bike hotels in Italy. The name has nothing to do with coffee, but with Capuchins (monks). It is a beautiful hotel in a medieval monastery with a swimming pool, spa and even a newly landscaped padel court. What makes it a luxury hotel then? bike Hotel? All the hotels that are affiliated with this have a guarded bicycle room with the possibility of charging your electric bike, an extra fast laundry room so you can put on a fresh outfit the next day, and for breakfast you can make special requests. So if you have a long day ahead of you the next day, you can just have a big portion of oatmeal!
Route Le Vie Del Bike: Umbria
Here you can find the route from the border with Tuscany to Gubbio. In our collection on Komoot you will find all the routes of Le Vie del Bike. A must-see if you ask us. Cycling in Italy, that’s how we can wake you up every day.
Would you like to go on a cycling holiday and cycle in Italy? Then go out prepared and check out the following articles:
- Basic Packing List
- The cycling holiday travel guide – how do I get to my favorite cycling destination?
Questions & tips
Do you have any questions about this route, or have you been there yourself? Share them here. We read everything and usually respond within a few days.