9 destinations for cycle tourists and specific itineraries for traveling with children
Which destinations to choose for a cycling trip after the health emergency? Bikenomist, a Milan-based company specializing in bicycle communication, suggests 9 travel destinations to add to your itinerary.
“When the COVID-19 containment measures are relaxed, Italians will want to leave behind the restrictions of home and spend as much time as possible outdoors. For this reason, I am convinced that, despite all the difficulties, cycle tourism and outdoor tourism in general will be the fields that will most likely guarantee the greatest degree of freedom, even for children, while still respecting physical distancing measures,” says Paolo Pinzuti, CEO of Bikenomist.
Many operators, such as Jonas, Girolibero, Funaktive Tours, and Due Ruote nel Vento, offer group bike tours and also organize tailor-made trips for small groups, families, or couples, to guide travelers through their first cycle tourism experiences.
Valtellina (Lombardy)
From family-friendly cycling routes to the legendary alpine passes of Stelvio, Gavia, and Mortirolo, to mountain bike trails immersed in greenery: Valtellina, located on the border between Italy and Switzerland in northern Lombardy, is a cyclist’s paradise. Not to miss is the Sentiero Valtellina, a cycling and walking trail through nature, following the Adda River from Colico (on Lake Como) to Bormio, covering a distance of 114 km.
Alpine Pearls Italy
Alpine Pearls is an international network of some of the most beautiful tourist destinations in the Alps, united by a focus on promoting sustainable vacations. Numerous options for cycling holidays in Italy’s mountains, including Limone Piemonte, Cogne, Moena, and Alpe Cimbra.
Ferrara (Emilia-Romagna)
Ferrara, the city of bicycles, is a completely flat area with an extensive cycling network. The entire province is crisscrossed with fantastic cycle tourism routes, connecting the city with the countryside, nature reserves, and villages, making cycling easy in a landscape without elevation changes.
Brescia (Lombardy)
Among the unmissable routes is the Ciclovia dell’Oglio, a 280 km nature trail starting at Passo del Tonale, 1,883 meters above sea level, in the heart of the Adamello Park, and crossing Lombardy. The GreenWay, which runs through the heart of the Brescia mountains, connects the city of Brescia with Valle Trompia and Valle Sabbia, offering 3,500 km of cycling routes, including 74 routes for slow, road, and mountain bikes, and 9 tours suitable for both families and mountain and road bike enthusiasts. The “slow bike” trail allows you to enjoy the landscapes of these two valleys, featuring museums related to old forges and the mining history of the area, farms offering local products, a hydroelectric power plant, Monte Maniva, and the shores of Lake Idro.
Bike to Coast (Abruzzo)
A 130 km cycle path running along the entire Abruzzo coastline, with mountain biking routes, downhill circuits in the hills and mountains of Abruzzo, and numerous cycle tourism trails. The “Abruzzo Bike Friendly” offer integrates institutional promotion with commercial offerings, providing a network of accommodations and complementary services to enhance a smart vacation experience, satisfying those who love to explore the region sustainably, combining sport with the discovery of local places, landscapes, and cultures. The initiative is part of the wider regional policy promoting “Active and Sustainable Tourism,” establishing guidelines and procedures to create an eco-friendly hospitality system and services, in collaboration with Legambiente, to preserve the authenticity of the places and further enhance the nature and parks of Abruzzo.
Pollino Park (Calabria)
The Apennine itinerary (Ciclovia dei Parchi della Calabria) is a combination of roads, paths, and cycling trails along the main ridge of the Calabrian Apennines. Mountain biking through the numerous trails that cross the Pollino National Park is one of the most scenic and stimulating experiences. Trails through the southwest park, such as from Piano Novacco to Piano Campolongo or Piano del Minatore, offer flat terrain under the shade of large beeches. Alternatively, you can take the challenging ascent to the Piani di Pollino from Piano Ruggio – Colle Impiso – Vacquarro.
Terres Monviso (Piedmont and France)
VéloViso is a cross-border project uniting Italy and France in the Monviso area. The project aims to enhance the cycle tourism offer by connecting operators, routes, and territories across the Po, Varaita, Maira, Grana, and Stura valleys in Italy and the Guillestrois, Ubaye, and Queyras regions in France. This region has a strong cycling tourism appeal, having hosted many successful stages of the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia on its 16 mountain passes. Together, Italy and France have worked to strengthen the cycle tourism offer in the Monviso area. The result? 125 routes and 3,000 km of bike trails around Monviso, a cycling network for both athletes and families across 6 valleys in Cuneo Province and 4 in France. On the website www.veloviso.eu, you can find maps and itineraries with technical information for cycling days, MTB rental points, e-bike rentals, sherpa buses for luggage transport, bike-friendly accommodations, eateries, and cycle repair shops for 360° support.
Navigli, Milan, From the city to the countryside
ARDA – A Rhythm of Waters identifies watercourses south of Milan as a central feature of a territory to be enhanced through the development of itineraries. The area south of Milan is characterized by scenic agricultural landscapes, canals, ancient farmhouses, and valuable structures, where people live and work in innovative ways.
Val di Ledro (Trentino)
Val di Ledro is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, known for its serene forest scents and rare mountain flowers, with breathtaking landscapes just a stone’s throw from Lake Garda. One way to explore it is on an e-bike, easily reaching Lake Ampola, a rare protected biotope in its natural state. A pleasant walk will reveal how abandoned land can be converted into blueberry and raspberry cultivation, as well as aromatic herbs. Travel packages organized by the Jonas tour operator are also available.
