Last Updated on 10 January 2025 by Cycloscope
Italy is one of the world’s best countries to discover by bicycle, with hundreds of mountains and picturesque views to enjoy. Cyclists can follow the country’s largest river, the Po, which begins in the hills of Monviso and runs all the way to the Adriatic Sea.
There are hundreds of hidden gems travelers can discover, such as quaint villages with tasty food, vineyards with wine tours, and beautiful lakes that glisten in the sunshine.
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Cycling holidays allow you to take complete control of your trip, moving whenever you want to on a schedule designed for you and by you and stopping whenever you feel like it. It’s a great way to travel in groups of any size, even solo; all you need are the essentials for bike travel and your bike repair kit to get started.
Starting in the Alps
Situated in the Northwest of the country, Piedmont is almost surrounded by the Alps. It is bordered by France to the west and Switzerland to the northeast and is believed to be over 40% mountainous.
Bikepackers can follow the country’s second-largest river, the Po, which begins in the hills of Monviso and runs all the way to the Adriatic Sea. The region features over 50 national and regional parks, including Gran Paradiso National Park, which hosts thousands of protected animal and plant species.
One of the most famous areas in the region is the municipality of Gignese, which is regularly used during the Giro d’Italia, with cyclists descending from Mottarone. The Po River drainage basin contains numerous settlements, each rich in culture and history.
Check also: Alpe Adria Cycle Trail – Hints, itinerary, map, GPS tracks, and sights, and Pineta di Ravenna Cycling Route: from Ravenna to Cervia through the Forest
Turin
The capital of the Piedmont region, Turin, is the first city you will encounter, and it’s certainly worth stopping and visiting.
You can ride along Via Rom, which runs between Piazza Felice, Piazza Castello, and Piazza San Carlo, old town squares where you can see stunning architecture and monuments, including the Royal Library of Turin, home to Leonardo da Vinci’s self-portrait. Besides that, there are so many things to do in Turin to keep you busy for at least a whole weekend.
Asti
When heading out of Turin, a slight deviation to the southeast will take you to Asti, a must-see destination, particularly for fans of the sparkling wine named after the region.
Main sights include several beautiful churches, such as the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, a Romanesque-Gothic structure dating back to the 13th century. Other sights include the Piazza del Duomo and Torre del Mangia.
Milan
Heading northeast from Asti leads to Milan, one of the world’s most famous cities.
In addition to its two hugely successful football teams, Milan is also famous for its incredible architecture, as seen in buildings such as Castello Sforzesco, an impressive 15th-century castle, and Milan Cathedral.
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is the country’s oldest active shopping center, attracting consumers and fans of innovative architectural design with its epic arching glass roof.
Como
While not exactly close to the river, the town of Como is another unmissable destination for cyclists. Lake Como is by far the most famous attraction in the city, attracting millions of tourists each year.
Cyclists can enjoy the beautiful views of the lake and the Alps in the background. Other attractions include public gardens, as well as museums, hotels, and restaurants.
Como to the Sea
Returning to the river path will take cyclists through Bergamo and Brescia, two heavily visited destinations that can make good pit stops. Parma, Mantova, and Modena are also options, depending on the route you take.