Day1: Castelnuovo Garfagnana – Ponteccio
Individual arrival in“piazza Umberto I”, welcome, tour information, delivery of E-bikes by our representative. After leaving Castelnuovo you cycle in the countryside visiting Castiglione, one of the most beautiful and best preserved fortified complexes in the province of Lucca, and Corfino, a nice village overlooking the Serchio Valley. In an idyllic natural environment you continue through forests and glades entering the Orecchiella nature reserve, a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Passing through a centuries-old chestnut wood you get to Sillano to continue then directed to the inn “Il Castagno”, a reference point for traditional cuisine.
q: 39km – < total ascent: 1200m (3900 feet)
Day2: Ponteccio – Ligonchio
The day starts with a leisurely and panoramic descent that leads cyclists back to the village of Sillano from where the climb begins to reach Pradarena Pass, important communication route in Roman times and frequented by travelers and pilgrims in the Middle Ages. During the ascent we recommend a stop at the idyllic pond Lamastrone and arrived at the pass you can leave the bicycles and reach the summit of Mt Caval Bianco, a great vantage point. One last easy descent to the emilian side of the National Park leads to Ligonchio, mountain village located at the entrance of Ozola Valley, a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.
q: 30km – < total ascent: 800m (2620 feet)
Day3: Ligonchio – Civago
The journey continues pedaling around the ridge formed by Mt. Cusna – with its 6.953 feet is the second highest peak in the North Apennines – Mt. Cisa and Mt. Prampa, among small mountain villages, stone water mills and ancient watchtowers. The village of Cervarolo deserves a stop to visit the fine church before to keep pedaling along the valley of the river Dolo and getting to Civago, pleasant town famous for its ancient forest called “Abetina Reale” where huge specimens of silver fir survives as relicts from colder weather eras.
q: 45km – < total ascent: 800m (2620 feet)
Day4: Civago – Castelnuovo di Garfagnana
Final magnificent stage that takes place in the easternmost part of the national park offering nice views on infinite series of valleys and mountain peaks. A ride that takes you up to the 5.080 feet high of the Radici Pass, that welcomes cyclists back in Tuscany giving them an interminable descent towards the Garfagnana.
q: 37km – < total ascent: 550m (1800 feet)
