IMAGINE GLIDING ALONG A WIDE, TREE-LINED PATH HIGH ABOVE A HISTORIC ITALIAN CITY. BELOW YOU, ANCIENT TERRACOTTA ROOFTOPS STRETCH OUT, AND IN THE DISTANCE, THE GENTLE TUSCAN HILLS COMPLETE THE POSTCARD-PERFECT SCENE. THIS ISN’T A DREAM; IT’S THE EVERYDAY REALITY OF EXPLORING LUCCA BY BICYCLE.
LUCCA OFFERS A CYCLING EXPERIENCE UNLIKE ANY OTHER IN ITALY. WHILE MANY TUSCAN TOWNS ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR CHALLENGING HILLS, LUCCA IS WONDERFULLY FLAT, MAKING IT A PARADISE FOR CYCLISTS OF ALL AGES AND ABILITIES.
THE STAR OF THE SHOW IS ITS MAGNIFICENT RENAISSANCE-ERA CITY WALL, NOW A SPRAWLING URBAN PARK WHERE LOCALS AND VISITORS ALIKE PEDAL, STROLL, AND SOAK IN THE VIEWS. THIS GUIDE WILL WALK YOU THROUGH EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW TO DISCOVER THE CHARM OF LUCCA ON TWO WHEELS.
FROM FORTRESS TO GREENWAY: A BRIEF HISTORY
LUCCA’S MASSIVE WALLS WEREN’T ORIGINALLY BUILT FOR LEISURELY BIKE RIDES. CONSTRUCTED BETWEEN THE 16TH AND 17TH CENTURIES, THESE FORMIDABLE FORTIFICATIONS WERE DESIGNED TO PROTECT THE CITY FROM OUTSIDE THREATS, PARTICULARLY FLORENCE. FOR CENTURIES, THEY SERVED AS A MILITARY STRONGHOLD, A SYMBOL OF LUCCA’S INDEPENDENCE AND POWER.
BY THE 19TH CENTURY, THEIR DEFENSIVE PURPOSE HAD BECOME OBSOLETE. INSTEAD OF TEARING THEM DOWN, THE FORWARD-THINKING DUCHESS MARIA LUISA OF BOURBON REPURPOSED THE WALLS. SHE TRANSFORMED THE WIDE TOPS INTO A PUBLIC PROMENADE, PLANTING THE PLANE TREES THAT PROVIDE WELCOME SHADE TODAY. THIS VISIONARY ACT PRESERVED A PRICELESS PIECE OF HISTORY AND CREATED THE BELOVED GREEN SPACE THAT DEFINES LUCCA’S IDENTITY.
CYCLING ATOP LUCCA’S WALLS
THE RIDE ATOP LUCCA’S WALLS IS AN EXPERIENCE YOU WON’T SOON FORGET. THE 4.2-KILOMETER (NEARLY 3-MILE) LOOP IS ENTIRELY PAVED, FLAT, AND TRAFFIC-FREE, CREATING A SAFE AND SERENE ENVIRONMENT FOR EVERYONE.
THE RIDE AND THE VIEWS
THE PATH IS REMARKABLY WIDE ALMOST 90 FEET ACROSS—SO YOU NEVER FEEL CROWDED. AS YOU PEDAL, YOU’LL ENJOY A BIRD’S-EYE PERSPECTIVE OF THE CITY’S LANDMARKS, INCLUDING THE GUINIGI TOWER WITH ITS ICONIC ROOFTOP TREES AND THE BEAUTIFUL PIAZZA ANFITEATRO. LOOK OUTWARDS, AND YOU’LL BE TREATED TO PANORAMIC VISTAS OF THE APUAN ALPS.
A LEISURELY CIRCUIT TAKES ABOUT 25-30 MINUTES, BUT YOU’LL WANT TO ALLOW MUCH MORE TIME. THE WALL IS MORE THAN JUST A BIKE PATH; IT’S A SOCIAL HUB. YOU’LL FIND CHARMING CAFÉS FOR AN ESPRESSO BREAK, GELATO CARTS FOR A SWEET TREAT, AND PLENTY OF BENCHES FOR A REST. ON WARM EVENINGS, THE WALLS COME ALIVE AS LOCALS ENJOY THEIR TRADITIONAL PASSEGGIATA ON TWO WHEELS, SOCIALIZING AS THE SUN SETS.
SAFETY AND AMENITIES
THE PATH IS WELL-MAINTAINED AND SAFE FOR FAMILIES. HOWEVER, IT’S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE INNER EDGE OF THE WALL IS LARGELY UNFENCED. ALWAYS SUPERVISE CHILDREN TO ENSURE THEY STAY ON THE MAIN PATH. ALONG THE ROUTE, YOU’LL FIND WATER FOUNTAINS, A PLAYGROUND, AND PUBLIC RESTROOMS, MAKING IT A COMFORTABLE OUTING FOR A FEW HOURS OR AN ENTIRE AFTERNOON.
BEYOND THE WALLS: OTHER CYCLING ROUTES
WHILE THE WALLS ARE LUCCA’S MAIN ATTRACTION, THE CYCLING DOESN’T STOP THERE. THE CITY’S FLAT TERRAIN MAKES IT AN EXCELLENT BASE FOR EXPLORING THE SURROUNDING COUNTRYSIDE.
- SERCHIO RIVER PARK: JUST A SHORT RIDE FROM THE CITY CENTER, THIS PARK OFFERS A PEACEFUL ESCAPE. AN 11-KILOMETER LOOP RUNS BETWEEN TWO BRIDGES, PONTE SAN QUIRICO AND PONTE SAN PIETRO, FOLLOWING THE RIVER THROUGH SCENIC AGRICULTURAL LAND. IT’S A FAVORITE SPOT FOR LOCAL FAMILIES AND A GREAT WAY TO SEE A DIFFERENT SIDE OF LUCCA.
- AQUEDUCT OF NOTTOLINI: FOLLOW THE PATH OF A 19TH-CENTURY AQUEDUCT THAT ONCE BROUGHT WATER TO THE CITY. THIS 4.8-KILOMETER TRAIL RUNS ALONGSIDE MORE THAN 400 ELEGANT STONE ARCHES, STARTING FROM A SMALL TEMPLE-LIKE TANK AND LEADING TOWARD THE MOUNTAINS.
- COASTAL VERSILIA CYCLE ROUTE: FOR A LONGER DAY TRIP, CONSIDER THE PUCCINI CYCLE PATH, WHICH FOLLOWS THE SERCHIO RIVER FOR ABOUT 35 KILOMETERS TO THE SEA AT BOCCA DI SERCHIO. FROM THERE, YOU CAN CONNECT TO THE CICLOVIA DELLA VERSILIA, A 28-KILOMETER COASTAL PATH STRETCHING FROM VIAREGGIO TO MARINA DI MASSA, WITH PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR A SEASIDE APERITIVO.
RENTING YOUR BIKE
LUCCA IS A BIKE-FRIENDLY CITY, AND RENTAL SHOPS ARE ABUNDANT. YOU CAN RENT BY THE HOUR OR FOR YOUR ENTIRE STAY. MOST SHOPS OFFER CITY BIKES, MANY WITH BASKETS AND LOCKS INCLUDED. HELMETS ARE AVAILABLE BUT NOT COMMONLY WORN BY LOCALS FOR CASUAL RIDES ON THE WALLS.
A COUPLE OF HIGHLY-RECOMMENDED SHOPS INSIDE THE CITY WALLS ARE:
- CICLI BIZZARRI: LOCATED IN PIAZZA SANTA MARIA, THIS IS A POPULAR AND CONVENIENT OPTION NEAR ONE OF THE MAIN ACCESS RAMPS TO THE WALL.
- TUSCANY RIDE A BIKE: OFFERS WELL-MAINTAINED BIKES AND PROVIDES PERSONALIZED SERVICES, INCLUDING TAILORED TOURS.
TIPS FOR A GREAT RIDE
- FOR FAMILIES: THE WALLS ARE PERFECT FOR KIDS. CONSIDER RENTING A TANDEM BIKE OR A FOUR-WHEELED QUAD-CYCLE FOR EXTRA FUN. REMIND CHILDREN TO STICK TO THE PATH AND BE AWARE OF PEDESTRIANS.
- FOR CASUAL CYCLISTS: YOU DON’T NEED SPECIAL GEAR. THE LOCALS RIDE IN EVERYTHING FROM SUITS TO SKIRTS. JUST WEAR COMFORTABLE CLOTHES AND ENJOY THE RELAXED PACE. A BIKE WITH A BELL IS USEFUL FOR POLITELY ALERTING PEDESTRIANS.
- BEST TIME TO RIDE: EARLY MORNING AND LATE AFTERNOON ARE IDEAL, AS THE PATH IS LESS CROWDED AND THE LIGHT IS BEAUTIFUL. AN EVENING RIDE IS A PERFECT WAY TO JOIN THE LOCALS FOR THEIR DAILY PASSEGGIATA.
AN UNFORGETTABLE WAY TO SEE TUSCANY
EXPLORING LUCCA BY BICYCLE IS MORE THAN JUST A FUN ACTIVITY; IT’S A WAY TO CONNECT WITH THE CITY’S UNIQUE CULTURE AND HISTORY. FROM THE PANORAMIC VIEWS ATOP ITS ANCIENT WALLS TO THE TRANQUIL PATHS ALONG THE RIVER, CYCLING OFFERS A SENSE OF FREEDOM AND DISCOVERY THAT IS SIMPLY UNMATCHED. SO ON YOUR NEXT TRIP TO TUSCANY, BE SURE TO SET ASIDE A DAY TO PEDAL THROUGH LUCCA. IT’S AN EXPERIENCE THAT WILL STAY WITH YOU LONG AFTER YOU’VE RETURNED HOME.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION’S
DO I NEED TO BRING MY OWN BICYCLE TO EXPLORE LUCCA?
NOT AT ALL! LUCCA OFFERS PLENTY OF BIKE RENTAL SHOPS WITH A VARIETY OF BICYCLES TO CHOOSE FROM, INCLUDING OPTIONS FOR FAMILIES AND LARGE GROUPS.
ARE THE CYCLING PATHS IN LUCCA SUITABLE FOR BEGINNERS?
ABSOLUTELY! THE CITY’S ANCIENT WALLS PROVIDE A FLAT AND EASY-TO-NAVIGATE PATH THAT’S IDEAL FOR ALL SKILL LEVELS, FROM BEGINNERS TO EXPERIENCED CYCLISTS.
CAN I CYCLE IN LUCCA ALL YEAR ROUND?
YES! LUCCA’S MILD MEDITERRANEAN CLIMATE MAKES IT A GREAT DESTINATION FOR CYCLING IN ANY SEASON, THOUGH SPRING AND FALL ARE PARTICULARLY POPULAR FOR THEIR PLEASANT WEATHER.
ARE GUIDED CYCLING TOURS AVAILABLE IN LUCCA?
YES, THERE ARE MANY GUIDED TOURS AVAILABLE. THESE TOURS OFTEN INCLUDE HISTORICAL INSIGHTS AND HIDDEN GEMS THAT YOU MIGHT NOT DISCOVER ON YOUR OWN.
IS IT SAFE TO CYCLE IN LUCCA WITH CHILDREN?
DEFINITELY! THE CYCLING PATHS, ESPECIALLY THOSE ATOP THE CITY WALLS, ARE SAFE AND SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE TRAFFIC, MAKING IT A PERFECT ACTIVITY FOR FAMILIES.
