Best Gravel Cycling In Italy

Compare the Best Tours,
Roads & Regions

Looking for the best gravel cycling holidays in Italy? Whether you’re chasing adventure on remote mountain trails, flowing along white gravel ridgelines, or exploring cultural towns off the beaten path, Italy offers unforgettable terrain for gravel cyclists of all abilities.

At Volta Pro Tours, our Gravel Tour Italia series delivers three distinct cycling experiences across Italy’s most captivating regions: Umbria, Marche, and Abruzzo. All tours include premium gravel and e-gravel bikes, exceptional support, distinctive accommodations, and a focus on local cuisine and culture. But each journey offers its own rhythm, terrain, and personality.

 

Gravel Trail in Gran Sasso, Abruzzo

The Common Thread:

Volta’s Signature Experience

 

Before comparing the regions, here’s what you’ll find on every Volta gravel cycling holiday:

✅ Premium gravel bikes (and e-gravel bikes available at no extra cost)

✅ Fully supported rides with expert guides, mechanics, and feed stations

✅ Point-to-point journeys with seamless luggage transfers

✅ Handpicked hotels full of local charm and comfort

✅ Authentic cuisine and regional wines

✅ Small group sizes (max 15 riders) for a personalised experience

Each tour is crafted to offer a refined gravel adventure that balances challenge with hospitality — ideal for road cyclists intrigued by gravel, or gravel riders seeking something deeper and more cultural.

 

Gravel Tour Italia: Umbria

The Elegant Journey Through Italy’s Green Heart

 

Umbria is where gravel cycling meets cultural immersion. Known for its strade bianche (white roads) winding through olive groves, vineyards, and hilltop towns, this route blends accessible gravel with scenic tarmac for a smooth and varied riding experience.

  • Duration: 5 days
  • Daily Distance: 60–90km
  • Terrain: Compact gravel & tarmac
  • Best For: Road cyclists new to gravel, e-bike riders, cultural travellers

Highlights:

  • Ride from Orvieto to Assisi via San Gemini and Norcia
  • Gently rolling landscapes, ideal for mixed-level groups
  • Stay in restored palaces and boutique hotels
  • Evenings of Umbrian wine, truffle dishes, and medieval town strolls

Why it stands out:

Perfect for those seeking an elegant, accessible gravel cycling holiday in Italy, where every pedal stroke leads to another cultural moment.

View the Umbria Gravel Tour →

Group of cyclists waiting on a gravel trail in Umbria for a friend to catch up

Gravel Tour Italia: Marche

The Remote Ridge Routes of Central Italy

 

Marche is a region of untamed beauty and mountain drama. This 5-day tour ventures into the Monti Sibillini National Park, offering steep climbs, technical descents, and panoramic ridgelines that few cyclists ever see.

  • Duration: 5 days
  • Daily Distance: 60–80km
  • Terrain: Steep gravel climbs, forest trails, ridge roads
  • Best For: Intermediate to advanced riders, or experienced e-bike users

Highlights:

  • Deep mountain passes and rolling vineyard trails
  • Historic villages and serene countryside stays
  • Gritty white roads followed by rustic, regional meals
  • Balanced stages with both technical and flowing segments

Why it stands out:
Marche is for cyclists who want to explore the best gravel roads in Italy, without the crowds. It’s a challenging gravel tour paired with rural hospitality and hidden gems.

Explore Gravel Tour Italia: Marche →

Gravel trail climbing into the mountains of Marche on the Gravel Tour Italia

Gravel Tour Italia: Abruzzo

The Ultimate Gravel Challenge in Italy’s Wild Heart

 

If you’re searching for the most dramatic gravel cycling in Italy, Abruzzo is your destination. This high-altitude adventure carves its way through Gran Sasso National Park, home to rugged peaks, alpine plateaus, and untamed ridgelines.

  • Duration: 5 days
  • Daily Distance: 60–80km
  • Terrain: High-altitude gravel, technical climbs, fast descents
  • Best For: Advanced riders and e-gravel cyclists seeking bold challenges

Highlights:

  • Ride Campo Imperatore (aka Little Tibet), a legendary gravel route
  • Climb over 2,600m+ on the toughest stage
  • Descend into quiet valleys and medieval mountain towns
  • Stay in distinctive hotels with Abruzzese cuisine and Montepulciano wines

Why it stands out:
A test of stamina and skill, this is gravel cycling at its boldest—best suited to riders who embrace physical challenge and raw natural beauty.

Discover Gravel Tour Italia: Abruzzo →

 

Winding road to Gran Sasso Abruzzo

E-Gravel Bikes:

Confidence and Freedom

on Every Ride

 

All three Volta gravel events include the option to ride premium e-gravel bikes, offering pedal-assist power that helps you conquer climbs and go farther with confidence.

Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist looking to conserve energy, or you’re newer to endurance riding, our e-bikes allow everyone to enjoy Italy’s best gravel cycling tours without limits.

  • Lightweight frames, wide tyres, and intuitive handling
  • Battery support that feels natural but empowering
  • Ideal for mixed-ability groups

Read more about E-Gravel Cycling in Italy →

Cyclists relaxing at a shaded café during a coffee break on the Grand Tour Italia: Marche & Abruzzo.

Which Gravel Tour is Right For You?

Feature Umbria Abruzzo Marche
Tour Name Gravel Tour Italia: Umbria Gravel Tour Italia: Abruzzo Gravel Tour Italia: Marche
Duration 5 Days 5 Days 5 Days
Region Central Italy (Umbria) Gran Sasso / Abruzzo Monti Sibillini / Marche
Terrain Rolling white roads & gravel trails High-altitude climbs & rugged trails Technical descents & steep ridgelines
Difficulty Moderate Demanding Advanced
Bike Options Gravel & E-Gravel Included Gravel & E-Gravel Included Gravel & E-Gravel Included
Highlights Assisi, Norcia, San Gemini Campo Imperatore, Gran Sasso peaks Sibillini Park, hilltop villages
Best For Gravel newcomers & road cyclists Experienced gravel riders Fit cyclists craving remote routes

No matter your choice, each Volta gravel tour is designed to elevate your ride, connect you to Italy’s rich heritage, and leave you with a sense of achievement and wonder.

 

​Start Your Gravel Cycling Adventure in Italy

From the spiritual skyline of Assisi to the dramatic heights of Gran Sasso, Volta’s gravel cycling holidays in Italy take you beyond the ordinary.

Spaces are limited. Book your 2026 or 2027 gravel tour now.

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