Ciclopista del Sole
The Bicycle Route of the Sun
|
ATTENTION |
THE CYCLE-ROUTE OF THE SUN
(CICLOPISTA DEL SOLE)
The CICLOPISTA DEL SOLE (in English should be The Cycle-Route of the Sun ) is a itinerary for cyclist on suitable roads, namely with the lowest traffic available, for traveling from the North to the South of Italy (and viceversa).
Some points need to be explained to avoid too much enthusiasm on this route:
-
At the moment only a small percentage of the route is on proper cycle lane being the rest on minor roads. Where minor roads in Italy is not really synonimous of quite and safe but we tried to find out the best for cycling.
-
The itinerary is only on our paper bacause there is no specific signposting on the roads so you have to count only on the maps and on the description of the route.
-
There is no special programs for eating and rest.
The route is the following:
Enter Italy at the Brenner Pass then follow the nationale Road n° 12 to Colle Isarco (Gossensas) then to Vipiteno (Sterzing) on minor road.
In Vipiteno there are two options,
-
following the Isarco Valley to Bolzano (Fortezza, Bressanone, Chiusa) on a route mainly on the high trafficked NR 12.
-
Crossing the beautiful Giovo pass then S.Leonardo, Meran and Bolzano. This route is difficult in the first part but very nice and quiet after Giovo Pass
After Bolzano the route follow the river Adige and is a cycle lane for about 100 km.
From river to river Mincio through the Garda lake to the city of Mantova. An option is available to visit Verona on the way ro Mantova.
In Mantova the Cps splits in two main route:
1) the inner route (Mantova Bologna Firenze Siena Roma)
2) the tyrrenian route (Mantova, Parma, Lucca, Pisa, west coast, Civitavecchia, Rome.
The inner route
From Mantova the route goes south-east and still follow the river Mincio until the river Po which is crossed near the historical town of S.Bonedetto Po. Then Nonantola with his XI century abbey and then Bologna.
From Bologna to Firenze climbing the Appennini mountains along the Zena valley until the raticosa and Futa passes. Then to Florence passing through Fiesole.
From Firenze to Siena going through the very hilly Chianti area. After siena still in the beautiful (but hilly) Tuscany. Then to Rome following the Cassia Roman Road
The coastal route
From Mantova this route goes south-west to Parma on the banks of the river Po: a very flat area very rich in cultural atmosphere and good food. You have an option to visit the old historical site of Canossa choosing another way.
You cross the Appennini montains on the Cisa pass then to Pontremoli Aulla. In Aulla you climb again to reach the sea in Carrara. From Carrara follow the coast line (traffic) to Pietrasanta then Lucca and Pisa.
From Pisa to avoid the croudy town of Livorno you go back to the sea more south in Cecina.
From Cecina to Civitavecchia follow the coast line (with some minor roads in the maritime pine forest) and then to Rome.
From Rome to Napoli the route is not yet well established but we have some ideas on minor roads that is possible to try.
At the moment we have three published Maps (in Italian and 1:100000 scale)
N° 1 Brenner to Trento
N° 2 Trento to Mantova
N° 3 Mantova to Cisa pass (coastal route)
The price is about 6 USD each map
These maps cover about 500 km of the route and report essential services for the cyclist: repair shops, hostels and campings, refreshments especially in remote or mountain areas. Also report connections with public transport (train, bus, ferry) especially when particular service for the bicycle are available.
The rest of the route is available as a red trace on fotocopies of the 1:200.000 national map.