Massarosa - Pescia - Massarosa

The route starts in the quiet Massarosa, a charming village in the Tuscan hills, perfectly situated as a starting point for a challenging road biking route through the varied landscape of Tuscany. From Massarosa, we first cycle towards Pian del Quercione and then to Pitoro, where the landscape quickly begins to unfold with rolling hills and vineyards.

After a relaxed start, we continue on a quiet stretch through Vallone to Valpromaro, with its picturesque surroundings of olive trees and cypress. We head towards Monsagrati, where the landscape becomes increasingly hilly and the roads begin to climb.

The first serious climb begins from San Martino in Freddana on the Via Don Aldo Mei. The road is narrow and winds through dense forests, presenting a significant challenge. Along the way, you pass the village of Loppeglia, where the Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta offers a lovely resting point.

The climb continues towards Fiano di Pescaglia, where the Chiesa di San Pietro Apostolo makes you pause for a moment to appreciate the beauty of the region. Following that is a technical descent via Trebbio to Piegaio Basso and Fondagno. The narrow roads and hairpin bends require focus, but the views over the valleys are stunning.

After the descent, you arrive in Valdottavo, where the Chiesa dei Santi Pietro e Paolo is a characteristic Tuscan church. The road then follows the winding course of the Serchio river, with a beautiful view over the surrounding landscape.

Along the bank of the Serchio, the route continues via Sesto di Moriano to Monte San Quirico, where the Chiesa di San Quirico forms another picturesque resting point. After that, you arrive in historic Lucca, a city known for its well-preserved city walls and medieval architecture. A short ride through charming Lucca offers a chance to admire the beautiful old buildings.

From Lucca, you cycle further to Capannori and then to Porcari, where you pass the beautiful Chiesa di San Giusto. The route through this part of Tuscany is relatively flat, providing a welcome break after the previous climbs.

After Porcari, you arrive in Collodi, the famous village of Pinocchio. Here, the Villa Garzoni and the Pinocchio park are an interesting attraction. The road winds through the village and leads you to San Gennaro and then to Petrognano, where you can enjoy the expansive view of the valley.

After Petrognano, a steep climb follows to Tofori and then to Valgiano, where the landscape becomes rougher and the gradients increase. The area is famous for its olive trees and vineyards, and the narrow roads are quiet, ideal for a serious bike ride.

The road continues to rise towards Matraia, a beautiful village with some historic walled villas. Afterwards, you descend to Marlia, where you can admire the Pieve di Santa Maria Assunta. This descent is fast, technical, and demands attention.

After Marlia, you continue the route to San Pietro a Vico, after which you return to Monte San Quirico. From here, the route takes you back through the quiet countryside towards Sant Alessio and Ponte San Pietro, where you face one of the last climbs.

The climb to Chiatri from Farneta is a challenging conclusion to the day. This climb is steep and winds through the hills, but the view from the top makes it all worthwhile. After the peak, a fast descent follows to Bozzano.

The last kilometers take you back through the quiet roads of Tuscany to Massarosa, where you can reflect on an impressive and varied road biking route.

Distance and Difficulty:

Total distance: Approximately 121 km

Difficulty: Challenging, with several steep climbs and technical descents.

Conclusion:

This route offers a mix of historic villages, tough climbs, and breathtaking views over the Tuscan hills. The climb to Monte San Quirico, the passages through Collodi, and the challenging climb to Chiatri make for a memorable journey. Whether you enjoy the tranquility of the countryside or the historic sights in Lucca, this ride through Tuscany is one to remember.