Stage 10 · Lucca → Pontassieve
- Distance
- 102 km
- Elevation gain
- 380 m D+
- Difficulty
- Moderate-Challenging
- Surface
- 84% asphalt, 16% gravel · 75% on cycle routes
- Terrain
- Valdarno, Florentine hills
- Cycle path
- Arno Cycle Route, Florence-Pontassieve stretch partly incomplete: the Incisa-Le Sieci segment toward Pontassieve is not yet built.
- Hospitality
- Hotels and B&Bs
GPX 1.1 file with the track, elevation and the abbeys as waypoints. Tracks are calculated on real roads and cycle routes (OpenStreetMap): check them on the ground before you set off.
Stage map
Map of the stage Lucca → Pontassieve: track, start, finish, places to stay and abbeys
Hover the profile to see the spot on the map
Tracks calculated on real roads and cycle paths (OpenStreetMap); elevations from SRTM data — to be checked on the ground
This stage on Komoot
The same track is on the project's Komoot profile: save it in the app and ride it with voice navigation.
Overview
Climbing from the Lucca plain towards the Valdarno and the Florentine hills. The route crosses classic Tuscan landscapes of vineyards, olive groves and farmhouses, skirting Florence to Pontassieve, at the confluence of the Arno and the Sieve.
Notes from the road
From Lucca the cycle path follows the Arno only in patches, check the updated route before setting off. On weekends traffic eases on both banks. Florence is easy to cross along the riverside roads, flat and well served by bike lanes. Toward Pontassieve the Arno cycle route still has unfinished stretches, so budget for a few kilometres on ordinary roads. Past Florence the valley narrows and the Arno keeps the bike company all the way to Pontassieve, between hills of vineyards.
What to see
Lucca and its walls, Montalbano hills, Arno valley, Florence (recommended detour), Pontassieve with its Medici bridge, Chianti Rufina hills
Where to sleep
B&B Pontassieve (60-80€); Rufina agriturismo (65-90€); hotel in central Florence (100-150€)
Where to eat
Bistecca alla fiorentina, ribollita, pappa al pomodoro, chicken-liver crostini, Chianti Rufina wines
Tips
Beware of urban traffic around Florence. Detour into the historic centre if time allows. The Sieve valley is quieter and more cycle-friendly.
Water & supplies
Frequent villages and services along the valley floor: Altopascio and the Valdarno towns offer bars and fountains. No isolated stretch, but watch the traffic around Florence, especially at rush hour. Coverage is excellent throughout.
Places to stay on this stage
No places listed for this stage yet: the overnight network is a work in progress.
An amateur, non-profit project. The tracks are indicative: everyone rides independently, at their own risk.