It has reached its ninth editionItalian Cycle Tourism Oscar which is assigned every year to the green cycle routes of the Regions that promote holidays on two wheels with services aimed at slow tourism.
The proclamation is held today June 1st in Luccaprotagonist with Viareggio of the awards event in the Tuscany Region, winner of last year’s first prize for the Puccini cycle/pedestrian path (the first cycle path with music which, between tradition and innovation, brings together the cultural and natural heritage between Lucca and Versilia, telling the life and places of the great composer, whose centenary of death this year marks).
The winner was the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region with the Pedemontana cycle routethe second prize to the Calabria Region for Val di Neto cycle/pedestrian pathwhile in third place is the Autonomous Province of Trento with the Green Road of Flowers.
Special mention from the Appennino Bike Tour Jury presented by the Liguria Region while the Legambiente Mention rewards the Sardinia Region, with its first victory, for The Santa Barbara Mining Route.
Finally, the Special Press Mention goes to Campania for The Silent Way.
Let’s get to know better, then, the three most beautiful cycle routes in Italy.
First place: the Pedemontana cycle route, Friuli Venezia Giulia region
The Pedemontana Cycle Route of Friuli Venezia Giulia is a route of 180 kilometers between Sacile and Gorizia (which will be European Capital of Culture 2025).
It follows the imaginary line that delimits the regional Alpine arc through an area of high landscape value, rich in points of historical, artistic and food and wine interest: the spectacular Friulian DolomitesUnesco heritage, the nature reserve of Corninomedieval cities like Gemona And Pinzano al Tagliamentothe Lombard art of Cividale del FriuliUNESCO site, the prized wine-growing areas of the DOC Grave, Colli Orientali del Friuli, Isonzo and Collio and seven of the thirteen Slow Food presidia in the Region.
The route is suitable for everyone for the extremely comfortable surface, the average gradients of less than 2%, the services and assistance. In particular, the first half of the route runs parallel to the Sacile-Gemona tourist railway, allowing cycle tourists to use trains with historical material.
Second place: the Val di Neto cycle/pedestrian path, Calabria region
THE Val di Neto cycle/pedestrian path runs for 42 kilometers along the ancient mule track on the left bank of the river of the same name, from the ancient Bruciarello thermal site up to the mouth of the Ionian Seain an area of ancient Magna Graecia rich in the scents, flavors and colors of the Mediterranean scrub. It’s a green road a exclusive use of pedestrians and bicycles which crosses the territory of six municipalities of the Crotone Marquisate: Caccuri, Belvedere di Spinello, Santa Severina, Rocca di Neto, Scandale, Strongoli.
It is also an example of responsible tourismcreated with attention to sustainability in the planning and choice of eco-compatible materials, as in the case of the San Rocco walkway, which perfectly integrates nature and architecture.
Numerous access points facilitate and diversify its use: it is also particularly well equipped with services for use by cycle tourists and travellers, including fitness areas and shelters for
observation of nature; There are also numerous sporting and hospitality activities.
Third place: Green Road dei Fiori, Autonomous Province of Trento
THE Green Road of Flowers it is a cycle/pedestrian path that unites Val Rendena and Val Rendena in a single itinerary Chiese Valley 57 kilometers from Carisolo to the shores of Lake Idro. The Val Rendena Cycle Route is a ribbon designed and well integrated into a highly evocative Alpine setting, in Adamello-Brenta Natural Parkwhich runs along the Sarca river, while the Valle del Chiese is the land of the seven Parishes and there are many artistic testimonies along the route.
It is an even more suggestive cycle path during the flowering period, with over 600 species of flowers which make up an incredible palette of colors, including rare orchids that grow on the banks of the lakes.
In the wooded areas there are beech trees, ash trees, elder trees and the fragrant mountain lime tree which produces excellent honey. There are also some historic villages and the museums and sites that show the signs left by Great War: walkways, trenches and stations for which the cycle route represents an excellent starting point.
Among the many services available to cycle tourists, there is also a shuttle bus on the way back.