Tuscany is a stunning place to ride, with it's rolling hills and varied landscapes, it rewards riders who are willing to put in the effort to make the most out of their day on the bike. There are very few trails that are 100% accessible by shuttle, meaning you have to earn those turns. The riding is for the most part, technical and feature-packed. While mandatory drops and jumps are not common at all, there are many sections that you'll need to keep on your toes for.
The riding in Piombino is tight, rocky and technical; it's not unlike the trails around Finale Ligure town, only they are faster with more built features. You'll find berms and well-established lines in and around the technical rocky descents.
Massa Marritima is nearly all accessed by shuttle; the descents are long and packed full of action, even if the elevation drop is not that high. The trails are graded accurately, and we would say a black here is worthy of the accolade. If you are comfortable riding rocks at slow and high speeds, you should be happy here. where it is not rocky, the ground is dusty with plenty of grip, and quite hard pack.
Campiglia Marittima is a blend of the last 2 locations with looser dirt and rock. Nearly all ride with possibility of hitting them high-paced, with every run needing pedal power to access, you'll love the riding here if you are fit, strong, and enjoy technical terrain.
Elba is a ferry ride away from the mainland and full of trails. Feeling a little more wild and raw, there is plenty of hard and loose rock. Steeper sections of trail with some hike-a-bike possible.
Castagna Carducci has the `flowiest' trails on our program, with smoother turns and sections than found elsewhere on the coastal riding. There is a large jump line here, but it's by no means obligatory and everything is rollable. This is a good location to find your feet and get used the dirt and they way the trails flow, even if there is not a huge amount of technicality.
- Advised bike: 130–170 mm Trail, Enduro or E-Bike (Trail Bikes should have a solid build kit, EXO casing or equivalent tyres)
- Fitness: 4/5 (comfortable repeated climbs and hiking, averaging over 1000m daily ascent)
- Technical ability: 3/4 (rocks, switchbacks, occasional exposure, and technical features on descents)
- Riding style: All-Natural / Spirit of Adventure
Tuscany Trail Gallery
Overall, the riding in Tuscany is best described as technical and feature-packed. While it can be ridden at slower speeds, this will become challenging as you need a certain amount of pace to clear the terrain and enjoy the flow. One of the biggest factors to consider is the pedal fitness required (though not an issue on an E-Bike). if you are a strong rider that enjoys being out on the bike for big days, this maybe the perfect trip.
