{"id":17720,"date":"2024-04-10T21:19:36","date_gmt":"2024-04-10T19:19:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/?p=17720"},"modified":"2026-10-05T07:44:20","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T07:44:20","slug":"terre-di-pisa-biketrail-tuscany","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/en\/verhalen\/terre-di-pisa-biketrail-toscane-2-0","title":{"rendered":"Terre di Pisa Biketrail: Tuscany 2.0"},"content":{"rendered":"

Wherever you say Tuscany, you\u2019ll find white gravel roads like the Strade Bianche, old historic villages, and the typical cypress trees that tower everywhere in the rolling landscape. Of course, we all know Siena as the epic center of Tuscany when it comes to cycling \u2013 and nowadays also to the Grappa \u2013 and especially the Piazza del Campo where the Strade Bianche finishes. Pisa is known for the Tower of Pisa. You know, that tilted tower that tries to push all the tourists right with that iconic photo. When you\u2019re in Pisa, take a look around, because you\u2019ll be laughing your ass off at how many rows of people there are with two arms out for visibility and someone shouting \u2018No, a little more to the left. Higher. Yes!\u2019 You\u2019ll also see many more beautiful historical buildings than just that tilted white tower. Case in point: \u2018Trust me, I\u2019m an engineer\u2019.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Text and photos: Andrea Lodder<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"The
The famous tower of Pisa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Bikes
Bikes ready? <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Terre di Pisa Biketrail<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Terre di Pisa Biketrail starts at Piazza del Duomo, in front of the Tower of Pisa. The route covers a whopping 524 kilometers before you reach it again and you can say that you have successfully completed it. You can easily complete the route in 1 week, and also enjoy the beautiful surroundings a little while you learn all about them from me later on. You can go all-in and pack the route like a real adventurer, or go for the \u2018fast\u2019 option with a few items and drive from hotel to hotel. It\u2019s totally up to you! We only have 3 days left, so we\u2019ve prepared the most beautiful places that you really shouldn\u2019t miss when you\u2019re in the Pisa region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Mysterious
Mysterious peaks, beautiful trails<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Casciana Terme<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Our first day on the Terre di Pisa Biketrail starts in Casciana Terme. A village known for its thermal springs that according to an ancient legend have a healing effect. As warm the water coming from here is, so cold and wet it will be today. We start right away with a climb to warm up our legs and roll on the first gravel path. Okay, to be honest, it\u2019s secretly a little warmer than expected, and Italian rain feels different than the cold Dutch rain. The legs are therefore getting tired quickly, and the first ride in shorts of the year is a fact. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Pisa,<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Mysterious peaks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After an hour of climbing, we reach the top, shrouded in mist. You can\u2019t see very far ahead, but the view is sure to be beautiful. The descent is definitely that, at least! We are lucky that we can even put on a dry and especially warm coat at the bottom of the descent before we make a loop around the lake \u2018Lago di Santa Luce\u2019. A welcome change from the muddy gravel paths of this morning. A watery sunbeam provides some warmth on the way to our much-discussed lunch spot. Because you know, if there is one thing Italians are passionate about, it\u2019s food. And that\u2019s in a word how you can describe Dario. One of the passionate forces behind this so-called \u2018Agriturismo\u2019. Everything you eat here at Il Poggio Della Pieve is grown locally, and even the olive oil is made on the farm itself. There are numerous olive trees in the garden that are used for this purpose.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Pasta
Pasta. Obviously at il Poggio<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"downhill,
Down it goes!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Further up towards Teatro del Silenzio<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having filled our bellies, we continue on our way for an 8-kilometer climb and the subsequent descent. Meanwhile, the clear blue sky has turned into a true Tuscan sun as we set course towards Lajatico, where today\u2019s finish line is located. And that is in a remarkable place. Namely, Andrea Bocelli\u2019s open-air theater \u2018Teatro del Silenzio\u2019. Those who were born in Lajatico \u2013 a musical piece of history, because who doesn\u2019t know Bocelli?! We end the day with a small musical ode. Fortunately, we still have the footage of it here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Italian
Italian spring is \u2026.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Tuscany,
Typical Italian streets<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Pisa
\u2026enjoy!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

New day \u2013 even more beautiful strade<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For day two, we head off to the southernmost point of the Terre di Pisa Biketrail. A loop with a start and finish in the geothermal area of Pomarance. You might think; geothermal? That has to do with volcanoes, right? That\u2019s true! Don\u2019t ask me too much about it, but there are many active sources in the ground here where a lot of sulfur gas comes out, which is also visible \u2013 and can be smelled \u2013 everywhere, and with that also many underground geysers that provide a lot of energy and leave the Earth with the necessary force. A hugely impressive sight! Never knew this was possible in Tuscany. That is, I think, one of the beautiful surprises the Terre di Pisa Biketrail brings with it. The route shows you another, perhaps slightly undiscovered, side of Tuscany.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Bankje,
Enjoying \u2013 Terre di Pisa style<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Villages, hills, grandmothers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So are the small picturesque villages up on the mountains. Or hills. For us Dutch people, they are mountains. Where an Italian nun can\u2019t help but smile when she sees our group with \u2018beautiful young men\u2019 and with a smile from ear to ear tells how nice she finds it that there are people in her \u2018village\u2019. These are the moments you don\u2019t easily forget. Just like the approaching climb that alone looks challenging on the Komoot profile. But first, lunch. We eat a nice pasta, with some \u2018geothermically brewed\u2019 beers included Vapori di Birra<\/a>. One will call it courage, the other a welcome break. Nevertheless, a lovely local business with once again a beautiful story behind their products.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Climbing
Beautiful climbing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Fiat
Fiat Panda<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Through
narrow streets<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Steeper, steeper, steepest<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We are approaching the steepest climb of the day. Just a little heads-up: on Komoot you don\u2019t see what the exact terrain is. Neither does this veritable wall of boulders. I think this part is the \u20182.0\u2019 in the title. When only locals on gravel bikes pass by alongside our group, and they also have a hard time doing it, you know that it\u2019s serious. But that might just be what makes the challenge so beautiful. Here you have to focus on driving the right line, keep pressing down on the pedals, and every now and then scream at yourself that you can do it. If not? you turn around, go down a bit and do the part you didn\u2019t manage the first time over again. Just to show that you can, which is also the point. I won\u2019t be the only one doing this, though. Still? In the end, everyone gets up at their own pace, which is already a feat in itself. The ultimate reward lies just above the top, where you can see the reflection of the sun between the mountain peaks in the Mediterranean sea. This is pure (cycling) luck, if you ask me.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pisa<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The slope was sloping downwards<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The words \u2018from here on it\u2019s a steep descent\u2019 I also don\u2019t forget quickly. Let\u2019s say that for Italian terms this is a steep descent. Anyway, no more long climbs but small descents where you just have to bite your tongue for a moment. We head towards the sunset, something beautiful on a bike too. The air turns orange when the small humming Fiat Pandas pass us on the highway towards Pomarance. Just before dark we arrive. A bus ride to Volterra follows, from where we start our final stage tomorrow morning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Volterra as a starting point for day three<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So today we\u2019re starting from Volterra. The beauty of this place is hard to put into words. The city has a small population of about 10,000 inhabitants and is one of the Etruscan cities, bringing with it a lot of history. This is also reflected in the Roman theater located just outside the city walls, as well as the recently discovered Teatro Romano di Volterra, which is still being excavated. There\u2019s plenty to see when you\u2019re here! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Volterra
The theater of Volterra<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Pisa<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"lunch
lunch with a view<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We descend further before starting a beautiful gravel climb of about 10 kilometers, surrounded by the typical cypress trees, and yes\u2026..finally the white Tuscan gravel! Great that with a radiant sun and blue sky, and you get a smile from ear to ear. Today is a relatively easy day when it comes to the terrain. Certainly a welcome change from yesterday. After kilometer 30 it mostly goes downhill and there are some rolling hills and a few tough climbs before we reach kilometer 45 at what is perhaps the most beautiful restaurant I have ever seen. Not necessarily beautiful in the sense of \u2013 beautifully built \u2013 but the location is truly breathtaking. The terrace overlooks the beautiful Tuscan landscape, and in the distance you can see the \u2018Teatro del Silenzio\u2019 where we finished yesterday. The relaxed Italian atmosphere also certainly helps, not to mention the food. Because let\u2019s be honest, we secretly bike to eat, and when the bike takes us to a place like Agriturismo Diacceroni, we\u2019re already very happy. Here too, everything you eat comes from local farms and is prepared fresh. Besides this great restaurant, you can also spend the night here in one of the old farms, with a swimming pool that overlooks the landscape. A dream come true if you ask me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Terre<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Terre<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Party pace derailed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Only 15 kilometers left until this amazing trip comes to an end. We are heading towards Peccioli, where the finish line of this trip is located. But not without a little final sprint, because as much as we love the \u2018easy gravel pace\u2019, a sprint is and remains a serious matter. The last 5 kilometers are then a straight course to the sign \u2018Peccioli\u2019, after which we head to a caf\u00e9 for a well-deserved aperitivo to celebrate a great trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The creators of this trail have put their heart and soul into it, and that is really noticeable. Daniele and Daniele \u2013 really \u2013 are real locals and know all the beautiful places and are more than happy to tell you all about their beautiful Pisa. The Terre di Pisa Biketrail is truly not what you expect, or perhaps just because of the word \u2018trail\u2019. It is truly a trail and certainly not a route for the \u2018faint hearted\u2019. Any technical riding skills are definitely a must here and you should definitely not be afraid to end up in some more remote places without service. That is, in my opinion, also the essence of gravel and bikepacking, that you might encounter yourself and above all that you should be a bit self-sufficient.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Official launch on October 9, 2024<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On October 9th, the route will officially be launched and you can ride it in various ways. Bikepacking style, or as light as possible with only the essentials. The entire route has 527 kilometers and a little over 10,000 meters of elevation gain and almost 50% kilometers are unpaved. The estimated duration of the entire Terre di Pisa biketrail is about 8 days, but of course you can choose to complete the route as quickly as possible. Please note, it is not a competition so you will not win anything from it. I therefore recommend taking your time here and enjoying the beauty of the route as much as possible. Below you will find the route collection by Erwin Sikkens who was with us on this trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n