Aqueduct & Countryside Ride
Cycling RouteThis remarkably scenic route traces the majestic, towering arches of a nineteenth-century aqueduct straight out into the rolling countryside. The path mostly follows quiet service roads and rural lanes, keeping you right beside the continuous line of over four hundred brick arches that stretch towards the mountains. It is a brilliant blend of grand civil engineering and pastoral beauty, cutting through fields and small villages. As you approach the foothills, the landscape becomes increasingly dramatic and lush.
SURFACE BREAKDOWN
ELEVATION PROFILE
WHY WE LOVE THIS ROUTE
Riding alongside an endless Roman-style aqueduct through open fields feels incredibly cinematic, offering a unique blend of grand architecture and serene rural landscapes.
RIDER'S NOTEBOOK
- • Take time to read the inscriptions at the 'Golden Words' bridges, they are a fascinating piece of local folklore.
- • The path near the hills can become slightly uneven, so a bike with decent gears and suspension will make the final stretch much more comfortable.
- 1WAYPOINT
Pisan Mountains Foothills
PENDICI DEI MONTI PISANIThe gently sloping, forested base of the mountain range that separates the territory from Pisa, providing a lush green backdrop to the engineering works.
FULL PLACE DETAILS
OVERVIEW & STATS
- Elevation
- 917 m
to next stop - 2WAYPOINT
Golden Words
PAROLE D'OROA peaceful, wooded area at the base of the hills featuring small stone bridges with gleaming brass lettering that locals mistook for gold.
FULL PLACE DETAILS
ARCHITECTURE & HERITAGE
- Heritage Status
- Italian National Heritage
to next stop - 3WAYPOINT
Guamo Temple Reservoir
TEMPIETTO DI GUAMOA beautifully designed neoclassical cistern building where the spring waters were originally collected before their long journey atop the aqueduct arches.
FULL PLACE DETAILS
ARCHITECTURE & HERITAGE
- Heritage Status
- Italian National Heritage
to next stop - 4HIGHLIGHT
Nottolini Aqueduct
ACQUEDOTTO DEL NOTTOLINIA monumental feat of 19th-century engineering, its endless line of elegant brick arches provides a spectacular visual guide straight through the landscape.
FULL PLACE DETAILS
OVERVIEW & STATS
- Established
- In 1823, making it 203 years old
ARCHITECTURE & HERITAGE
- Heritage Status
- Italian National Heritage
Other Cycling Routes
Check out other routes in Lucca
City Walls Circuit
This is a brilliantly effortless and entirely traffic-free loop along the top of the monumental fortifications that encircle the historic town. Shaded by a continuous canopy of magnificent old trees, the broad path offers stunning, elevated vantage points over the red-tiled roofs, medieval towers, and hidden palace gardens. It provides an immediate and joyous orientation to the city's layout. The ride is entirely flat and wide, making it wonderfully accessible for casual riders on rented city bikes.
view route
Serchio River Nature Trail
Leaving the stone streets behind, this tranquil route follows the gentle curves of the nearby river through a lush green valley. The well-packed dirt and gravel paths run right alongside the water, offering a cooling breeze and plenty of shade from the riverside vegetation. It is a flat, incredibly peaceful ride that provides a glimpse into the rural Tuscan landscape just minutes from the city walls. The environment is rich with local birdlife and dotted with small historical footbridges.
view route
Alternative Ways to Tour the City
Switch your pace. Discover curated routes by bike, foot, or self-guided exploration.
Medieval Heart & Hidden Squares
This highly atmospheric walk wanders aimlessly through the dense, pedestrianised core of the ancient city, where every turn reveals centuries of history. It traces narrow, shaded alleyways that suddenly open up into vast, sun-drenched piazzas surrounded by towering patrician houses. The route is designed to soak in the incredible density of Romanesque architecture and the lively hum of boutique shopping. It is a sensory journey filled with the smell of fresh bakeries and the visual splendour of ornate marble facades.
Silk Lords & Palaces Tour
This opulent journey dives into the immense wealth generated by the city's medieval and Renaissance silk trade, which funded an explosion of lavish civic construction. The route connects the towering strongholds of fiercely competitive merchant families with their later, highly decorated Baroque residences. It explores how economic power manifested itself in architecture, moving from imposing brick defensive towers to delicate, manicured pleasure gardens. You will walk through the corridors of power that kept the Republic independent for centuries.