Climbs around Lucca are like outfits — choose one based on your mood, schedule, and the occasion. There truly is no hierarchy so take the numbers with a grain of salt. Here are ten (of many) to get your wheels turning
10. Fiano
5 kilometers, average 5.5%
A local treasure, Fiano is the good ol’ faithful of Lucca cycling. Only 12 km away and easily reached won’t detract from its fascination. Similar to a charm bracelet, Fiano’s only complete with accessories like Passo Lucchese, Passo Sella or Fondagno.
9. Pitoro
6.5 kilometers, average 5.1%
The first climb I did in Italy that also happened to steal my heart. Like Fiano, it’s a local climb that can be stacked with other climbs like you’d construct a lego castle. It’s an essential that overlooks the Tyrrhenian Sea within 30 minutes from Lucca. You’ll have a stracciatella-fuelled Strava empire in no time.
7. Monte Serra
8.4 kilometers, average 7%
This mountain is Pisa’s pride and joy. It’s their only mountain, after all, and with an ancient history of animosity, they’ll never let you presume it belongs to the Lucchesi. It can be “mounted” as the Italians say three ways to the same summit: Buti, Calci, and Sant’Andrea di Compito. All three merit exploration, but note that Sant’Andrea is the longest, hardest, and closest to Lucca. The view from Calci of Pisa’s sprawl, the Tyrrhenian Sea and even the Leaning Tower on a clear day should help transcend your suffering.
7. Vellano
10.3 kilometers, average 5.8%
Nestled in the Pistoian mountains, Vellano is an underutilized porthole to La Lima and the beautiful and elegant Serchio Valley. There’s a grand piazza in Pescia with a plethora of cafes should you need to draw one final arrow from your quiver before entering the enchanting forest. Once beyond Pescia you’re surrounded by country folk downing caffè corretti at lunch and retirees endlessly absorbing the sun’s rays from public benches.
3. San Baronto
3.9 kilometers, average 7.2%
Consider San Baronto a stairway to heaven where bicycles coast on clouds and cars and motorcycles are prohibited. Where one can ride all day without any threat of crisi di fame or crises of hunger. If not heaven, then surely enlightenment. San Baronto raises you to the ridge where Leonardo da Vinci conceived the Mona Lisa. More accurately, where Leonardo was born on April 15, 1452. Don’t forget to take a selfie in appreciation of cultural, societal and creative advancements during the Renaissance. Preferably with a stick.
3. Cappella
4.7 kilometers, average 6.5%
A stone’s throw from Lucca, Cappella is Via Michele Rosi on Friday and Saturday nights; that is, where the entire twenty-something population of Lucca gathers. If you haven’t already left it all out on the road, then Cappella is your final chance for redemption before your afternoon engagements. This is exactly the tactic of the Lucchesi cyclists between 11 am and 1 pm on weekends. A good final effort on Cappella will merit an entire afternoon lazing semi-conscious at the Versilian seaside.
4. Passo Sella
7.7 kilometers, average 6%
Sella is saddle in Italian and, to me, it’s the closest link from Lucca to Garfagnana Valley. The Lucchese side is steeper with a gradual descent through Fabbriche di Vallico (shown) where I hear they’re selling houses for a euro. At the top, there’s an option to take a slightly longer route or a shortcut. Opt for the longer route; it’s well worth it. Also, take my free advice and spend your euro on a cappuccino instead of these houses.
3. Capezzano
5 kilometers, average 6.6%
Growing up in North America watching TGIF programming while eating Doritos, I believe to have understood the town of Pietrasanta is a highly cultured place. Home to painters and sculptors, Pietrasanta proudly displays the fruits of their labor, and the ring road with its Capezzano and Caprilia climbs is no exception. Take in the statues, the cathedral, and maybe also a panino from the piazza before zig-zagging up the hillside where you’ll see all of Pietrasanta from above and the Tyrrhenian Sea on the horizon.
2. Montefegatesi
5 km, avg. 6.6%
1. Vergemoli
2.9 kilometers, average 6.8%
My newest discovery, this little piece of paradise is accessed through either Passo Sella or Garfagnana. The road takes you around the Pania della Croce, Panie being a series of peaks in the Apuan Alps and Croce trumps them all (see no. 1). It’s a jewel; if you can dedicate a day to Vergemoli, don’t pass it up. Oh, and stop for lunch in Barga and load up on pasta—because you’ll burn through kilojoules at the rate Juan Pelota did EPO.
Will cycling in Lucca be in your near future?
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Just rode the Passo Sella today. Started climbing from Via dei Norchini between Vallone and Valpromaro and passed trough Pescaglia on my way to the top. Lots of 8-10 % climbs on the way up. However in Pascoso after turning right at the restaurant the climb really picks up. I hit a section with 17 % on the way up. The descent through Fabbriche di Vergemoli is nice.
Monte Sera or Pizzorne is next I think.
Jakob — yes, lots of climbing. We call Via dei Norchini “Gombitelli.” You took the longer route I’m referring to above but there’s an easier shortcut through Focchia. Keep up the good work!
Ciao,
I am currently in Lucca and I would be really happy if you could give me an advice for a nice cycling round on the hills where there are not many cars (aprox. 50-70km).
Kind regards
Francesco
Francesco—if you click over to my Tuscany Route Collection, the ride of your dreams will magically appear in your inbox!
Hi Alison,
I’m in Lucca for a couple of days and would love to try your super-scenic Lucca hills ride!
I haven’t ridden any climbs around Lucca at this stage.
Kind regards,
Pat
Get out and there and after it, Pat!
November in Tuscany and a Saturday afternoon bathed in sunshine before the rain came last week. Still 17 degrees at the bottom, perfect conditions.
Close to Pescia with just a couple of hours of sunlight after arriving and unpacking the bike, so took a chance at getting up Vellano. A beautiful climb, always very fair and a pretty constant 6% all the way up. The town is omnipresent after just a KM or so, and is breathtaking. The false flat when you reach Vellano gives a little respite before climbing again through silent forests giving you glimpses of the valley below. It takes about 45 minutes to tap it out, but it’s a joy.
When you get to the very top you’ve a 10km rolling section with 4 descents to choose from to get you down to Montecatini Terme, I choose one (the third) with an amazing surface for a couple of KM’s before it got a little bit ‘Italian’ with a few cracks but was still a joy. At the bottom a quick circle of Montecatini Alto and back home.
The Vellano climb will become a firm favourite over the next few years for sure.
A little added note that sometimes small is beautiful, the weather didn’t hold and the long flat straights east of Lucca in the rain were a little stressful, but the Montecarlo climb at just 3k long was a delight on a rainy day through vineyards to a beautiful village. Worth seeking out.
Thanks for the Vellano recommendation…..
Thanks for eloquently sharing your experience of Vellano. OooOooh how nice it is to see a road or a place for the first time!
Without knowing it our stolen week also took in San Baronto from Vinci. This has to be the best way up, as I don’t think I saw a car once I’d climbed above Leonardo’s home town (he was born out of town up the road, but let’s not play around with a legend). One of the key’s to this ride is finding the best approach from the flatlands, which can be a little busy but once off the main roads (I started in Buggiano, by Montecatini Terme) it was a delight of rolling vineyards and sleepy towns.
This climb is pure joy, it’s not hard, not a huge test, but it is a attack on the visual senses with the autumnal colours mixing with the afternoon sunshine it was an rusty orange overload. Some Neoclassical and even a couple of Palladiun Villa’s to enjoy in some delightful slope hugging villages. The view back down from 300m to the pan flat basin a stunner.
I took the descent to Lamporecchio which felt more of a main road (so maybe not climb this way) which is a fast one for those braver than me. Would definitely do again and will work on finding a better route to and from this delightful test.
Andrew,
The hills and flat lands west of Montalbano are undoubtedly metropolitan but there are ways to navigate those areas with very little traffic. We have a route from Lucca that’s part of our paid content (Lucca Region & Ride Guide). It took some time to master but I think I’ve found the one!
Have fun and keep up with your astute observations!
Alison