Details: 70km / 660m or 100km / 1400
The day begins by leaving Pisa behind, riding along flat roads that allow the group to quickly settle into a steady rhythm. After the first kilometres through the countryside, the landscape opens onto the wetlands surrounding Lake Massaciuccoli, one of the most important natural ecosystems in northern Tuscany.

The riding is smooth and continuous, ideal for building mileage without sharp changes of pace, as we pass through Massaciuccoli, a place deeply connected to Giacomo Puccini, who found inspiration and tranquillity here. After the lake, the route enters a historic borderland, long disputed between Pisa and Lucca.

From here the road becomes gently rolling, introducing the first short rises that break the flat terrain and add dynamism to the ride. We reach Balbano and Nozzano, dominated by its imposing medieval castle, which for centuries marked the western boundary of the Republic of Lucca.

Passing through Gattaiola and Sant’Andrea di Compito, an area known for its historic camellia gardens, we finally return to Lucca. Riding onto the city walls marks the end of a smooth and rewarding transfer stage, perfect for fully settling into the rhythm of the tour.

Details: 65km / 1050m or 58km / 1340
We leave Lucca heading northeast, where the hills begin to rise gradually. After Arsina, the road becomes more undulating and leads into the heart of the Lucchesi Hills, a landscape long shaped by viticulture and dotted with historic villas and rural villages.

We ride through Valgiano and San Gennaro, areas renowned for their high-quality olive oil and wines, following quiet and well-paced roads that encourage a steady rhythm. The climbs are never long, but constant, ideal for an efficient and controlled effort.

The route then descends towards Collodi, famous for the Pinocchio Park and its well-preserved medieval village. From here we tackle the ascent to Montecarlo, one of the most picturesque fortified towns in the area, with its fortress overlooking the Lucchese plain.

The return to Lucca follows smooth, flowing roads through vineyards and cultivated fields, completing a loop that combines elevation, scenery and pure riding pleasure — a perfect day to consolidate rhythm and sensations before the transfer stages.

Details: 58km / 920m or 68km / 1310m
We leave Lucca heading west, crossing the countryside towards Farneta, where the road begins to rise gradually and the group immediately settles into the rhythm of a true transfer stage. The climb to Chiatri is steady and regular, ideal for establishing a solid pace while enjoying the first views over the Lucchese plain.

After a short and technical descent to Quiesa, we regain elevation with the climb to Pieve a Elici, an ancient village of Lombard origin overlooking Lake Massaciuccoli. Here the landscape opens up, with increasingly wide views towards the coast and the Apuan Alps behind us.

The route continues towards Montemagno, one of the most scenic viewpoints of the day, before descending into Camaiore for a stop in the heart of the historic centre, a traditional crossroads along the Via Francigena. It’s the perfect moment to recover and prepare for the second half of the stage.

From Camaiore we tackle the final climbs to Montebello and Monteggiori: short but decisive efforts on quiet, well-surfaced roads, rewarded with spectacular views over the sea. The long final descent leads smoothly towards Viareggio, with the arrival along the seafront marking the symbolic transition from hills to coast.

A complete and rewarding stage, combining elevation, continuity and the satisfaction of reaching the sea under your own power.

Details: 68km / 790m or 90km / 1500m
We set off from Viareggio following the seafront northwards, an ideal start to quickly find a good rhythm and get the legs turning. The riding is smooth and flowing, with the sea alongside us, until we reach Pietrasanta, an elegant town long associated with artistic traditions and marble craftsmanship, and a cultural hub of the Versilia area.

Continuing along the coast, the route remains fast and fluid as far as Marinella di Sarzana. Here the landscape changes and marks the entrance into Liguria: we leave the shoreline to tackle the climb to Montemarcello, short but intense, rewarded with spectacular views over the Gulf of Poets.

The descent towards Lerici is technical and panoramic, followed by a rolling section through Pitelli, an ancient seafaring village perched above La Spezia. The final kilometres lead gently into the city, with the arrival in La Spezia bringing to a close a long and demanding stage.

A full day of cycling, where coastal flow alternates with decisive climbs and more technical sections, requiring careful effort management, focus and strong legs.

Details: 62km / 1390m 
We leave La Spezia riding south towards Portovenere, one of the most iconic places along the Ligurian coast. The coastal road is rolling and panoramic, with constant changes of rhythm and open views over the sea; arriving in Portovenere, dominated by the Church of San Pietro and the Doria Castle, offers the first visual reward of the day.

After retracing our steps, the stage enters its most demanding section. The climb along the SP70 begins decisively and steadily, gradually taking us higher above Riomaggiore. The Cinque Terre villages remain below us, suspended between sea and land, as the road becomes quieter and the pace settles into a controlled, sustained effort.

We pass through Volastra, historically linked to terraced viticulture, where vines have been cultivated for centuries on steep slopes. From here the route continues at elevation, with a succession of panoramic rises and descents that demand careful effort management and concentration, while offering some of the most striking scenery of the entire tour.

The long final descent into Monterosso closes the stage with a deep sense of satisfaction: a short distance, but rich in elevation, character and beauty. An arrival that marks the true entrance into the heart of the Cinque Terre, earned metre by metre.

The final active day of the journey is designed to experience the Cinque Terre at a personal pace, after the demanding stages of the previous days. The villages, intentionally left in the background during the cycling stages, become the main focus today.

Those who choose to walk can follow the trails that connect the villages, along ancient paths suspended between the sea and terraced vineyards. It’s a scenic trek, never monotonous, offering direct contact with the landscape and the history of this unique area, shaped over centuries by human effort.

Alternatively, it is possible to move at a more relaxed pace by using the local train, stopping in each village to explore freely, without constraints of distance or time, among small harbours, narrow lanes and seaside squares.

For those who prefer to get back in the saddle, a coastal ride towards Levanto, Bonassola and Framura is offered. A smooth and panoramic route, ideal as an active recovery ride, allowing the tour to conclude with the pleasure of fluid riding and the sea always in view.

A free day, yet fully in line with the spirit of the journey: experiencing the Cinque Terre in an active, mindful and personal way.