Tappa 1 - Lucca -  Ponte a Moriano

The itinerary could only start from Museo Casa Natale Puccini Museum where Giacomo Puccini was born. 
We proceed through the squares and streets of the old city and exit the splendid Renaissance walls through Porta Santa Maria.
We follow the signs for the river park to reach Foro Boario, site of the weekly Saturday farmers' market. 
We take Puccini cycle-pedestrian path, proceeding on a stretch of dirt road that runs along the Serchio river and takes us safely to Ponte a Moriano.

Tappa 2 - Ponte a Moriano - Celle Puccini

After crossing the town of Ponte a Moriano we leave the cycle-pedestrian path and continue along Via Ludovica in a northerly direction to the village of Diecimo, where we turn to cross Val Pedogna to the beginning of the climb that takes us to the hamlet of Celle Puccini, birthplace of the composer's grandfather and where the Maestro spent part of his childhood. 

The ancestral home, amidst the woods on the edge of the village, houses today a museum dedicated to the family and, in the courtyard during summer, a series of opera concerts.

Tappa 3 - Celle Puccini - Farneta

Leaving Celle Puccini, we take the beautiful and essentially traffic-free road that climbs to the church of San Pietro Apostolo in Fiano, where we begin to descend along the panoramic road that leads to San Martino in Freddana. 

From SP1, which crosses the Freddana valley and connects Lucca with the coast, we take the stretch of Via Francigena that leads us, practically car-free, to the Certosa di Farneta, after passing through small villages including Piazzano and San Macario in Piano.

Tappa 4 - Farneta - Chiatri

In Farneta, known for its Certosa, sadly known for the massacre perpetrated by Nazi troops on the night between 1st and 2nd September 1944, we begin to climb along a deserted and wonderful road that takes us to Chiatri Puccini, home to one of the villas owned by the composer; 

"from up there you can see an enchantment: the coast, from Livorno to La Spezia; Arno and Serchio; Corsica in clear weather, the islands of Gorgona and Capraia besides the scrubland of San Rossore, Migliarino and Lucca's scrubland of the Bourbons".

Tappa 5 - Chiatri - Lucca

Leaving Chiatri behind us, we pedal first to Monte Quiesa and then to the Lake of Massaciuccoli, a protected area of delicate landscapes. At Ripafratta, we find Puccini cycle-pedestrian path, which runs along the Serchio river and, crossing San Pietro bridge, leads us again to the outskirts of Lucca.

Note:

Those who wish to undertake a simpler and less physically demanding itinerary can take advantage of this track, limiting themselves to the stretch from Ponte a Moriano (north of Lucca) to Lake of Massaciuccoli; about thirty kilometres with practically no difference in height. This is the so-called 'Ciclopedonale Puccini' that runs along the Serchio river to the lake beloved by the artist.

Physical effort: Medium

Technical difficulty: Medium

Length: 95 km

Height difference on ascent: 1100 m

Height difference on descent: 1100 m

Maximum altitude: 450 m

Unpaved road surface 25%

Paved road surface: 75%.

Recommended period: March to October