30 must-ride routes in Italy
Ten climbs for road bikes, ten routes for gravel and ten areas for mountain bikes. It is not an official ranking: it is a selection of very well-known, much-loved routes with the essential facts.
How it was chosen. We gathered routes mentioned repeatedly by cycling guides and portals and grouped them by bike type, not by “beauty”. Numbers (km, elevation, gradient) appear only when the sources at the bottom of the page report them, and can differ slightly by side of the climb and how it is measured. Always check weather, road conditions and pass openings before you go.
Road bike: 10 climbs and rides
Passo dello Stelvio
South Tyrol / Lombardy
The Alpine icon: dozens of hairpins on each side and a summit above 2,700 metres. The Lombardy side from Bormio is about 21.5 km and 1,533 m.
- 24.3 km from Prato allo Stelvio
- 1,808 m of climbing
- 7.4% average gradient
- summit 2,758 m
Passo Gavia
Lombardy
A narrow, wild road above 2,600 metres, among the toughest and most spectacular Giro d’Italia climbs.
- 17.3 km from Ponte di Legno
- 1,363 m of climbing
- 7.9% average gradient
- summit 2,621 m
Passo del Mortirolo
Lombardy
Short but brutal: steady gradients above 10% through the woods, one of Italy’s most feared climbs.
- 12.4 km from Mazzo di Valtellina
- 1,300 m of climbing
- 10.5% average gradient
- max 18%
- summit 1,852 m
Monte Zoncolan
Friuli Venezia Giulia
Considered one of Europe’s toughest climbs: few bends, relentless gradients and a finish that gives no rest.
- 10.2 km
- 1,210 m of climbing
- 11.4% average gradient
- max 22%
- summit 1,750 m
Colle delle Finestre
Piedmont
Endless hairpins above the Susa Valley; the last kilometres are unpaved, so wider tyres and easy gearing are worth it.
- 18.6 km
- 1,700 m of climbing
- 9.1% average gradient
- max 14%
- summit 2,176 m
Tre Cime di Lavaredo
Veneto
A unique Dolomite panorama: the final climb from Misurina toward Rifugio Auronzo is short and steep.
- 5 km last section from Misurina
- 473 m of climbing
- max 19%
- summit 2,300 m
Sella Ronda e Passo Pordoi
Dolomites (Trentino-South Tyrol / Veneto)
The four-pass loop around the Sella group (Pordoi, Sella, Gardena, Campolongo) is a classic: steady gradients and postcard scenery.
- 12.8 km Pordoi alone
- 6.3% average gradient
- max 9%
- summit 2,239 m
Blockhaus
Abruzzo
Central Italy’s big climb, in Maiella National Park: long, steady and scenic.
- 17.6 km from Roccamorice
- 8.4% average gradient
- max 14%
- summit 1,665 m
Madonna del Ghisallo e Muro di Sormano
Lombardy (Lake Como)
The cyclists’ shrine above Lake Como and, nearby, the legendary Muro di Sormano: a ride that tells cycling history.
- max 25%
- Sormano: about 1.7 km and 300 m of climbing; Ghisallo: up to 14% in the first 2.5 km
Scanuppia
Trentino
For those chasing limits: one of Italy’s steepest paved roads — bring very easy gearing and fresh legs.
- 7.5 km
- 17.6% average gradient
- max 45%
Gravel: 10 routes
L’Eroica – circuito permanente
Tuscany (Chianti, Crete Senesi, Val d’Orcia)
White roads through Tuscan hills with permanent signage: gravel in its most classic form.
- about 205–209 km (a 135 km version also exists); 3–5 days suggested
Via degli Dei
Emilia-Romagna / Tuscany (Bologna–Florence)
From Bologna to Florence across the Apennines, starting with the climb to the San Luca sanctuary.
- 130 km
- mostly unpaved; best over several days
Tuscany Trail
Tuscany (Massa–Capalbio)
Bikepacking at its finest: from Massa to Capalbio through gravel, hills and villages.
- 543 km
- unsupported; the route changes every year
Veneto Gravel
Veneto
A big loop through white roads, cycle paths and backroads, from plains to Veneto hills.
- 700 km
- unsupported
South Tyrol Trail
South Tyrol
White roads and scenic trails among orchards, vineyards and South Tyrol mountains.
- 400 km
- base gravel track; permanent route, self-supported
Liguria Bike Trail
Liguria (from Ospedaletti)
A route along the Ligurian ridge, between sea and mountains, with military roads and Mediterranean views.
- 410 km
- tracks on military roads, gravel and some trails; unsupported
Monsterrato – Strade Bianche del Monferrato
Monferrato (Piedmont)
Vineyard hills and white roads: ideal for day rides or a long weekend.
- three routes of 50, 95 and 230 km
Jeroboam Franciacorta
Lombardy (between Lake Iseo and Lake Garda)
A gravel ride between Lombardy’s lakes, with well-loved views and a good deal of climbing.
- 300 km
- plenty of climbing
Gravel Marche
Marche
Hills, villages and white roads in a region still uncrowded: the network of tracks allows tailored rides.
- a network of tracks shared on Strava and Komoot
Stelvio – percorso gravel e MTB
South Tyrol / Lombardy
An off-road alternative around the Stelvio Pass, with remote lakes and unpaved descents.
- unpaved tracks away from the tarmac, with a possible mountain-hut stay
MTB: 10 areas and trails
Finale Ligure
Liguria
One of Europe’s best-known enduro destinations: trails above the sea, the Manie plateau and the 24h of Finale at the end of May.
- a network of about 1,370 km of trails
Val di Sole
Trentino
One of Trentino’s best-known MTB areas, with big tours, descents and plenty of services for riders.
- big tours and a bike park
Seceda – NR6
Dolomites (Ortisei)
A Dolomite trail made famous by huge views: genuine and demanding, to be ridden with care.
- summit 2,518 m
- starts by cable car; last stretch pushing to the ridge
Monte Baldo – sentiero 601
Trentino (Garda)
From the Baldo ridge to Lake Garda: a long descent that tests brakes, suspension and legs.
- a descent of almost 2,350 m, steep and technical
Etna
Sicily
Trails among lunar landscapes and ancient pine forests: a unique environment, to be approached carefully.
- 17 km
- single track
Alta Valtellina
Lombardy
True high altitude: military roads, mule tracks and passes for those after a challenge.
- military roads, mule tracks, glaciers and passes
Pila e Courmayeur
Aosta Valley
Trails popular with locals, with views of Mont Blanc.
- views of Mont Blanc
Canyon Trail – Massa Marittima
Tuscany
Fast, flowing single track with natural “toboggans” cut into the ground: speed and skill.
GEA Bike
Tuscan-Emilian Apennines
A 600 km mountain bike journey along the Apennines, almost entirely off-road.
- 600 km
- 22,000 m of climbing
- about 60% single track, 35% gravel, 5% tarmac
Livigno
Lombardy
Italy’s “little Tibet”: a good base for high-altitude rides and bike-park descents.
- official guides and bike park
Plan your ride with VeloAI
Choose start, distance, climbing and terrain: VeloAI offers 3 routes on real roads with a safety estimate, weather and a GPX file.
Sources
Data and descriptions derived from the pages below; always check up-to-date information before you ride.
- Rivaluta – Le salite più famose in Italia
- Montagna.tv – Le 5 salite più dure delle Alpi
- Red Bull – Le salite più dure d’Italia
- OA Sport – Le salite che hanno fatto la storia del Giro
- SportOutdoor24 – 10 grandi viaggi gravel in Italia
- Pedal North – Italy’s best gravel bike routes
- Italy Bike Hotels – The 7 most scenic MTB itineraries