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THE GARFAGNANA VALLEY
6 Days, 353 km/ 219 mi.
This is a climber's tour. After an easy day from Pisa to
Lucca, each succeeding day involves at least one big climb.
Two of these climbs are rated X: wicked steep and wicked
long. These are the kind of climbs that have words of
encouragement spray-painted on the pavement, where every
passing rider cries out a greeting, and where the triple chain
ring rules. You will want to be in shape for this one.
The remote Garfagnana region lies between the coastal
Apuan Alps and the central Apennine mountain chain. It is
barely mentioned in most guide books and thus retains an
unpretentious and genuine atmosphere. This is not the area
to search for famous frescoes and gargantuan cathedrals. A
tour of the Garfagnana is more about scenery than culture,
more about smooth roads, no traffic, grueling climbs, and
exhilarating descents. If you’ve “done” the classic Tuscan
landscapes of columnar evergreens, olive trees and wheat
fields and want to try something a little different and a bit
more challenging, then this is the tour for you.
Day 1: Pisa—Lucca, 33 km/ 20.5 mi., G
Day 2: Lucca—Barga, 52 km/ 32 mi., PG-13
Day 3: Barga—Sillano—Barga, 82 km/ 51 mi., X
Day 4: Barga—Pievepelago, 62 km/ 38.5 mi., X
Day 5: Pievepelago—Bagni di Lucca, 52 km/ 32 mi., PG-13
Day 6: Bagni di Lucca—Pisa, 72 km/ 45 mi., PG-13
Castiglione di Garfagnana
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