Cycling in Lucca / Tuscany
Renaissance walls, pro test climbs and Italy's finest riding
Best time to ride
Best months
March to June, September to October
Temperature
13-27 C across the riding season
Rainfall
Spring and autumn bring occasional wet days; summer is dry and hot
The riding
Lucca is Italian cycling distilled: a perfectly preserved walled city sitting between the flat Piana di Lucca — ideal for recovery spins and group work — and the mountains of the Garfagnana and Monte Pisano. Generations of professionals have based themselves here, and Monte Serra remains one of the sport's most famous test climbs, the road where Tuscan careers are measured.
Variety is the region's gift. South, Monte Serra offers four distinct ascents. North, the Garfagnana valley climbs into the Apuan Alps on quiet, dramatic roads beneath marble peaks. West lies the coast at Viareggio for flat tempo; east, rolling vineyard hills towards Montecarlo. A short transfer opens the strade bianche country south of Florence for gravel days.
Italian road culture is the quiet star — drivers wait, café stops are sacred, and every village has a fountain. Surfaces vary from billiard-smooth provincial roads to rougher mountain lanes; the riding rewards a 28 mm tyre.
Key climbs & routes
- Monte Serra from Buti (9 km, avg 7%) — the classic side of Tuscany's test climb, a benchmark effort for every pro who has lived here
- Monte Serra from Calci (10 km, avg 7%) — the harder, more irregular western approach
- San Pellegrino in Alpe (13 km, avg 8%, ramps to 18%) — the Garfagnana monster, one of the hardest climbs in the Apennines
- Passo delle Radici (20+ km, avg 4-5%) — the long, steady way over the Apennine spine
- Pizzorne (10 km, avg 6%) — Lucca's local plateau climb, switchbacks straight out of the plain north of the city
Practical info
Getting there
Pisa (PSA) is 30 minutes away with direct flights from Dublin and most of Europe; Florence (FLR) is an hour. Both are well used to bike boxes.
Bike hire
Quality road hire in Lucca town and through cycling hotels in the area. Stock is thinner than Mallorca — book well ahead for spring.
Where to stay
Inside or just outside Lucca's walls is the classic base, with every ride starting through the city gates. Cycling-dedicated hotels around the Piana offer guided groups and workshop facilities.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lucca good for cycling?
Lucca is one of Europe's great cycling bases: flat valley roads for easy days, the legendary Monte Serra test climb 30 minutes away, the Apuan Alps and Garfagnana to the north, and Italian café culture throughout. Many professionals have made it home.
What is the famous climb near Lucca?
Monte Serra — roughly 9-10 km at 7% with several distinct approaches. It has been the benchmark climb for Tuscan professionals for decades, and the Buti side is the standard test effort.
When is the best time to cycle in Tuscany?
April to June and September to October are ideal: 18-27 C, green landscapes or harvest colours, and stable weather. July and August are hot but rideable with dawn starts. Winter is quiet and cool with occasional rain — many locals ride year-round.
Can I ride gravel near Lucca?
Yes. The hills around Lucca hide plenty of strade bianche-style white roads, and the famous gravel country of the Crete Senesi and Chianti is within a 1-2 hour transfer for a day trip.
How do I get to Lucca with a bike?
Fly to Pisa (PSA), 30 minutes from Lucca by car or direct train. Ryanair operates from Dublin year-round. The train accepts boxed bikes, and most cycling hotels arrange airport transfers with bike transport.
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