Ride along the Tuscan coast from the leaning tower of Pisa to Elba on this self-guided holiday. Combine the hilly landscape of Tuscany with the Etruscan coastline as you follow the vineyards and olive trees to the coast. A real highlight of the trip is the Isle of Elba, the place of Napoleon’s exile.
With picturesque trails winding through national parks, olive groves and vineyards and a host of cultural attractions, this is an unforgettable holiday!
Day 1: Arrival in Pisa
This evening there will be a welcome briefing and rental bikes will be distributed. You can also take some time today to discover Pisa. Visit the exquisite old part of town, you will not be disappointed.
Day 2: Trip to the sea approx. 30 km + train journey
Setting out from Piazza dei Miracoli, home of the Leaning Tower, you will find lovely trails which wind their way through the national park‚ Macchia Lucchese’ and directly to the sea. After riding along, past the sandy beach and the tempting, refreshing waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea, you will come to the charming sea side town and spa Viareggio. At the end of the day, there is only a short train ride back to Pisa.
Day 3: Pisa – Castiglioncello approx. 40 km + train journey
This morning, you will take a short train ride to Livorno. This charming port city offers a lot to see, including the well-known quarter ‚Venezia Nuova’ with its many canals. The bike tour then continues, past the Belle Epoque villas along the river promenade, and deep into the hinterland. An extended ascent will bring you through the national park ’Monti Livornesi’, passing through traditional Tuscan villages along the way until you reach the descent, which will bring you down towards the sea, rewarding you with magnificent sea views as you ride. Today’s accomodation is located close to steep cliffs. The trails along the beach and swaying palm trees add to the truly Mediterranean atmosphere.
Day 4: Castiglioncello – Marina di Castagneto approx. 50 km
Today’s ride is all about the Etruscan coastline. Heading out along the famous white sandy beaches of Vada you will pass through some of the most striking pine forests in all of Italy. After that, a cool, pleasantly shaded cycle path leads you through the nature park‚ Tomboli’, and then on to Bibbona. From there your journey takes you to the well known wine region of Bolgheri. It is here that the very best Tuscan grapes are pressed! After passing the longest avenue in Italy, which is lined with cypresses, you will find that you are once again heading towards the sea. Marina di Castagneto is a classic Italian sea side town characterized by its many beach cafes and promenades.
Day 5: Marina di Castagneto – Piombino approx. 60 km
Today, you will begin by ascending towards the medieval town called Castagneto Carducci. Here, you can enjoy a well deserved break over a cup of cappuccino and take in the stunning views that you climbed for. Afterwards, the ride continues upwards, on a winding mountain road, through romantic cork oak forests. Take time for a few breaks in the little traditional villages. The memories of the stone built houses will stay in your memory forever. Now, you can enjoy the descent through olive groves, that takes you to the well-known beach ‚Golfo di Baratti’. Now there are only a few kilometres left until you reach Piombino, an impressive seaside town where you can relax on the Piazza by the sea.
Day 6: Day trip to the island of Elba approx. 15/35 km + ferry ride
A 1 hour ferry ride will take you to Portoferraio. The first glimpses of the island and stunning scenery will keep you occupied on board. A short cycle path, on a panoramic route, will lead you to several secluded bays and coves. The longer tour takes you through the hilly hinterland with its characteristic island vegetation of the ’Macchia Mediterranea’. The return journey will take you to Piombino, where a picturesque and glorious sunset over the sea will be the perfect ending to the day.
Day 7: Departure or extension
Difficulty: Challenging
At least one cycling holiday a year is pretty much compulsory for you! You are a perfect example of one of our typical guests, who regularly goes out for bike rides at the weekends. Now and again, you like to battle with a long, steep hill or a days cycle ride with an undulating profile. But, in order to have time to enjoy the rest of the ride, the route should then become flatter and more leisurely again afterwards.
The terrain is mainly flat to slightly hilly. The only two strenuous stretches are during the two legs in the hinterland. Nearly all cycle paths are asphalted and some segments along the sea will be on rustic but well maintained trails. Due to lack of cycle paths along some sections, cycling briefly on roads with moderate traffic is unfortunately unavoidable.
Total distance cycled: 215 km
Route Map (For guidance only):
Routes maybe subject to change or alteration. All route notes, maps and day-by-day information will be given to you upon arrival at the first hotel or at the welcome meeting. GPS/GPX Files are available for most our the cycling holidays we offer. Please ask us for details
Starting point of the tour: PisaV
Route Overview (For guidance only):
Stage | Kilometres | Special notes regarding the route |
Pisa – Viareggio – Pisa | approx. 30 km | Today’s route is predominantly flat. |
Organisation: | ||
The return trip from Viareggio to Pisa by train: the trains run every 30 minutes and take 20 minutes. You will be given the tickets at the welcome briefing and they are valid for yourself and your bike. Please validate your tickets at the station with the yellow ticket box. | ||
Pisa – Castiglioncello | approx. 40 km | At the start of the stage there are 2 short, but steep hills of about 200m each. From the 11th km, there is a long hill of about 6km (and about 3km of this is steep). From the 26th km, the way is slightly undulating for about 5km. |
Organisation: | ||
Train journey from Pisa to Livorno: journey takes about 15 minutes. You will get the tickets at your welcome briefing and they are valid for yourself and your bike. Please validate your tickets at the station with the yellow ticket box. | ||
Castiglioncello – Marina di Castagneto | approx. 50 km | Mainly flat along the route, however from Bibbona onwards slightly hilly with several short ascents of about 200/300m. Today you cycle also on natural surfaces over longer sections (through the pine forests). |
Marina di Castagneto – Piombino | approx. 60 km | Today, there is a bit more traffic than previously until you get to Castagneto Carducci; the road to Cafaggio has also got more traffic at the 29km point, also between the 50.8 and 53.3km points at the entrance for Piombino there is a lot of traffic – please be careful! This stage is mainly on tarmac, only between the 47.2 and 49.3km points it is on a gravel path, which does not always have clear sign posts. At the start, until you get to Castagnetto Carducci there is a steep hill that lasts for about 2.5km, there is then another hill that lasts for about 2km on your way to Sassetta (but is less steep than the first). |
Insel Elba | approx. 15/35 km | There are two different routes that have been made for you onthe island: The shorter route goes along the coastline with 2 possiblevisits to beautiful beaches. The longer route goes through the centre of the island with three large ascents each between 2 and 3km long; altogether there is more traffic on the island. The longer route is only recommendable for more sporty cyclists due to the topography and due to the amount of traffic. (especially in the summer months!) |
We recommend flying to Pisa airport to reach the starting point of this cycling holiday.
Flights are available with a number of airlines to your required airport or you can travel to the start using alternative methods such as rail or road.
By train:
Hotel Repubblica Marinara: take the bus „LAM blu“ from the main station (costs €1) towards Ospedale Cisanello and get off at bus stop B4373( 6 stops later) and then there is a 2 minute walk to the hotel. Alternatively take a taxi for approx. €10.
To the Hotel Bologna you get by taking the bus line 13 from the mainstaion towards Ospedale Cisanello to Crispi 2. From there it’s just a 3 minute walk to the hotel. To the Grand Hotel Duomo you get by taking the bus line 13 from the mainstaion towards Ospedale Cisanello to Pacinotti. From it’s around 8 minutes to the hotel.
By plane:
Pisa Galileo Galileo: distance approx. 3 km
Take the red bus line to Piazza della Stazione/hotel (departs every 10 minutes, fare approx. €1) or by taxi (approx. 3 km, approx. €10). You can also take the train (situated on the left side), since the airport has its own train station – there is a train every 20 minutes to Pisa.
Florence Amerigo Vespucci: distance approx. 80 km
Take the shuttle bus to Santa Maria Novella Florence train station (every 30 minutes, it costs approx. €5 per person), then continue by train to Pisa (every 30 minutes, it costs approx. €9).
We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best flight prices by date or Rail Europe for European rail travel. There is customer car parking available at most hotels for a supplement. Please contact us for more details.
Please use local transport to arrive at the starting point or call us on 0161 703 8161 for more specific travel advice.
You do not need to go back to the starting point of the cycling holiday as all hire bikes are left at the final hotel.
Important: Please book your flights only after the cycling holiday has been confirmed by invoice or email. Flights and transfers are not included in the advertised holiday price.
The Tuscany Coast and Elba cycling holiday includes the daily transfer of luggage to the next hotel and local support if required.
Included Services (Subject to confirmation)
- Overnight stays in the selected category
- Breakfast buffet
- Personal tour information
- Luggage transfer between hotels
- Excellently planned routes
- Detailed travel information (route maps or overview maps, route description, tourist attractions, important telephone numbers)
- Signposting
- Service hotline
Not Included
About the Rental Bikes
This cycling holiday uses quality crossbar and unisex hybrid bikes based on KTM frame technology, Selle Royal saddles, Shimano components and puncture-proof tyres to ensure that you have an enjoyable cycle tour. The bikes feature modern V-brakes, aluminium frames with mudguards, comfortable saddles and a rack for a supplied waterproof pannier.
You will also receive a handlebar bag and map holder for easy navigation when riding your daily itinerary. Prices advertised on the website include standard bike hire (unless stated). Colour and specification may vary from the image shown.
Unisex Bike (Colour may vary)
Men's Bike (Colour may vary)
Electric Bike (Colour may vary)
Rental Bike PLUS
For 2020, there is an additional bike rental option available for a supplement. The PLUS hybrid bike now available on most cycling holidays is sportier with higher quality brakes (Magura HS 11) and better specification gears (Shimano Deore XT). The riding position is designed to have a slightly sportier sitting posture and a high quality Suntour suspension fork gives smooth riding on most surfaces. All accessories are compatible with the new PLUS bike rental option.
Accessories
If you would like GPX files for a suitable device, please request them at the time of booking. Devices are not provided and please make sure that you bring along with you any fittings required to attach the Garmin (or similar) to the handlebars. You might want to download maps onto your phone to avoid data charges when roaming.
All bikes are provided with standard flat pedals. You can bring your own cycling pedals, but ensure that you have the correct tools to remove the pedals if the tour does not have a welcome meeting. You may also not be able to travel through airports with the tools if you are carrying hand luggage only.
You can rent a men's bike with a crossbar, unisex/female bike with a sloping tube or an electric bike for a supplement.
Gears
7 speed bikes are equipped with a Shimano Nexus gear hub and 21 speed bikes have a Shimano Alivio derailleur. We request 21 speed bikes for all cycling holidays (when available).
Frame Sizing
When you make a booking with us, we take your height(s) and the appropriate bike size is matched up accordingly. Unisex frame 21-gears with freewheel. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 / 43 cm. Unisex 7-gears-bikes with back pedalling brake. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 cm. Men’s speed bikes 21-gears with free wheel and crossbar. Sizes: 64 / 60 / 56 "sloping" cm. Helmets are not provided and you will need to bring your own to use.
We always recommend wearing a helmet when on your cycling holiday!
Bike Hire Insurance
This cycle tour benefits from bike insurance against rental bike theft and damage in the holiday price. Please make sure you lock up the bike, leave it where told by the hotel and treat your hire bicycle as if the bike was your own. Any negligent treatment of the bike will exempt you from cover. We advise you to ensure that you have adequate travel insurance for your cycling holiday prior to arrival.
Electric Bike Hire
Why not upgrade your cycling experience to an E-Bike (Electric Bike)? Using a power assisted bike is a great way to go on a cycling holiday and will help you smooth out inclines or longer days in the saddle. Each E-Bike features an LCD display, removable batteries for easy charging and assistance up to 25 km/h with a range of around 120 km for each full charge depending on usage.
E-Bike upgrade prices vary per tour, but if you require any more information about bike hire and electric bikes, please get in-touch with us on +44 (0) 800 703 8161.
This cycling holiday stays in good quality hotels with private facilities carefully selected for their proximity to your cycle route and comfort. If you wish to know specific information about the hotel facilities, Wi-Fi and upgrades used on the holidays, please contact us on 0161 703 8161 for more information.
Please note that the hotel list is subject to change and should be used as a guide only.
We will confirm the exact hotels prior to arrival.
Tuscany Coast AND ELBA | sample hotel LISt |
Etappenort | Hotel |
Pisa | Repubblica Marinara 4**** |
www.repubblicamarinara.it | |
Castiglioncello | Hotel Miramare 3*** |
www.albergo-miramare.it | |
Marina di Castagneto | Hotel Alta La Vista 3*** |
www.hotelaltalavista.com | |
Piombino | Hotel Esperia 3*** |
www.hotelristoranteesperia.it |
You will receive your final hotel list approximately 4 weeks prior to your arrival date detailing the hotels used on your cycling holiday. If you wish to know more about the hotels prior to completing a booking form, please contact our Customer Services team via email or by phone.
You can find out more about this cycling holiday by completing a Contact Form or call 0161 703 8161 to speak to one of the team.
Season | Date Band | Arrival Day |
Season 1: | 25.04.-15.05.2021 | 26.09.-10.10.2021 | Sundays |
Season 2: | 16.05.-25.06.2021 | 05.09.-25.09.2021 | Sundays |
Season 3: | 26.06. - 04.09.2021 | Sundays and Saturdays |
Category Type | Accommodation Overview |
Category A: | 3* hotels by the sea. 4* hotel in Pisa |
Season | Season 1 | Season 2 | Season 3 |
Double | £725.00 | £785.00 | £880.00 |
Single Supplement: | £255.00 | £255.00 | £255.00 |
Bikwe Type | |
21-gear unisex incl. rental bike insurance | £80.00 |
21-gear gents incl. rental bike insurance | £80.00 |
7-gear incl. rental bike insurance | £80.00 |
rental bike PLUS incl. rental bike insurance | £125.00 |
Electric bike incl. rental bike insurance | £180.00 |
Location | Price DBL/BB | Single Supplement Price SGL/BB |
Pisa: | £65 | £100 |
Piombino season 1 + 2: | £60 | £95 |
Piombino season 3: | £70 | £105 |
Date From | Date To |
---|---|
25 April 2021 | 10 October 2021 |