From Montecarlo to Lucca and back

Our itinerary starts from the village of Montecarlo and leads you down to Via Pesciatina. After just over 3 miles (5 kilometers), you’ll find yourself immersed in the peace of the hills that lie quietly on the slopes of the Pizzorne Plateau. Pass through a series of gentle ups and downs, guided by vineyards and olive groves that are part of the Strada del Vino e dell’Olio (Wine and Olive Oil Road). Along the way, you’ll encounter quaint villages such as San Pietro in Marcigliano, Valgiano and Matraia, until reaching the historic Villa Grabau, dating back to the 1400s.

Continuing on, take the picturesque Via delle Ville then connect to the bicycle path that runs along the Serchio River, following this path to the outskirts of Lucca. Here, take a moment to admire the beauty of the walled city before resuming your journey. The return trip sees you pedaling along the plains through Porcari and the Via Francigena, until facing the last 2.5-mile (4-kilometer) climb that takes you back to the Fortezza di Montecarlo.

The route is almost entirely on asphalt, except for the 3.3 miles (5.3 kilometers) of the cycle path along the embankment of the Serchio River.

Itinerary by Strade di Lucca Bike Hub.