Stage 1 - Marlia

Inaugurated in 2012 thanks to the idea of ex-professional Michele Bartoli, BioGiro is a fully signposted itinerary within an exciting and poetic rural setting that starts from Villa Reale in Marlia (Capannori) a beautiful Renaissance villa that is also easily reachable from the city centre of Lucca thanks to the Puccini cycle path. From here, the road climbs gently up the hill in the direction of Matraia, which is reached after only 4 km.

Stage 2 - Matraia

Matraia is a small village of Roman origins, famous for its sandstone quarries. It is the highest point of the itinerary (300 m at sea level) and is a hilly balcony that allows you to contemplate the marvellous panorama of the area below, the Piana di Lucca, and Monte Pisano in front of you.

The route continues at altitude on the road surrounded by olive groves as far as the eye can see, mixed with fruit trees, vines and cypresses that make for a romantic and evocative cycling trip.

Stage 3 - Valgiano

The itinerary continues through small clusters of houses in Valgiano and San Pietro in Marcigliano, where one can clearly see ancient churches, farmsteads and stone-built inns, typical in these areas, as well as luxury structures and agritourisms for the more demanding tourists who choose these secluded and quiet places for relaxing holidays. After Valgiano, the road begins to descend, encountering more small houses and farmsteads and crossing some covered wooded stretches alternating with those exposed to the sun.

Stage 4 - Capannori

Having reached the plains at Capannori, we easily return to Marlia and the loop closes passing through inhabited but secondary roads without risk.

Note:

The complete tour is 18 km long, ideal for those who want to train along an ideal circuit and for those who want to pedal in peace in an evocative landscape rich in history. It can also be cycled in the opposite direction, which is slightly more difficult than the clockwise route, but without any particular difficulties. Thanks to small deviations, it is possible to visit two other sumptuous villas on Lucca's villas route: Villa Mansi and Villa Torrigiani.

Physical effort: Easy

Technical difficulty: Easy

Length: 18 km

Height difference on ascent: 350 m

Height difference on descent: 350 m

Maximum altitude: 300 m

Unpaved ground: 0%

Paved ground: 100%

Recommended period: All year round