Route LUNIGIANA TRAIL

WHAT IS THE LUNIGIANA TRAIL: the LT is an itinerary in stages to be tackled in a “bikepacking” style, suitable for MTB and E-MTB that runs in a circular way (clockwise) throughout the Lunigiana area.

DEPARTURE / ARRIVAL: the most suitable starting points are Pontremoli or Aulla, both are easily reachable with the A15 motorway and by train with the Parma-La Spezia line, however, being a circular itinerary, everyone can leave where they prefer.
The ROUTE: the LT remains at the highest altitudes of the Lunigiana area where nature has still remained intact and full of woods, ridges and high altitude pastures. In the northern part of the territory you will be cycling at the foot of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines in a continuous crossing of valleys, streams and medieval villages;
once in the southernmost part, the Apuan Alps will make you struggle, with their sharp peaks that will accompany you until you reach the Ligurian Apennines and its gentle ridge that divides Tuscany from Liguria and from which you can admire airy views of the Tyrrhenian sea and the Gulf of La Spezia, this will therefore be the scenario you will encounter, in a 230 km long adventure that will lead you to discover this beautiful and unexpected corner of Tuscany.

DIFFICULTY: the Lunigiana Trail measures 230 km x 6400 m elevation gain. It develops mainly on dirt roads with good surfaces but there will be parts with rougher surfaces and parts of the path. There are no portage sections (intended with the bike on the shoulder) but only a few short technical sections that could force you to push the bike for no more than 100 meters. Where it was not possible to use dirt roads suitable for the Trail, you will find asphalt with low vehicular traffic. There are no signposts on the route and it is therefore necessary to download the GPX track.

WHERE TO SLEEP: along the LT there are numerous accommodation facilities, from the cheapest Hostels to local farmhouses, from B&Bs to Hotels. For your convenience, we have listed the facilities that are located directly on the trail or in the immediate vicinity, (see waypoints with relative telephone numbers) but there are others nearby, which can be consulted on the website visitlunigiana.it

Also for those who want to tackle the LT in total self-sufficiency with a tent, we have indicated on the track some Waypoints named “Rest Areas” that we believe are more suitable for bivouacking, (by clicking on the relative NOTES of each Waypoint you can see the characteristics of the area and where to get the nearest water supply) however, free camping is well tolerated and you will find many other places where you can stop at your leisure without particular problems.

NOTE FOR E-BIKE: the LT lends itself to being tackled with E-Bike. As already indicated in the DIFFICULTY heading, there are no portage sections (intended with bike on your shoulder) but only a few short technical sections that could force you to push the bike for no more than 100 meters (intended on foot with the bike at your side) .
To recharge the battery, you will have to rely on the accommodation facilities, all equipped with an electrical network with a domestic socket, but it will be necessary to bring your own battery charger with you as they do not have specific universal charging stations. All the accommodation facilities indicated in the trace, (except the B & Bs), also offer catering service for lunch, therefore they can be used to recharge the battery while eating a meal.

WATER / FOOD: you will find several fountains along the way and you will surely find one in every town you pass, if you are in difficulty ask some local who will be happy to show you one. In the most important centers you can find food and refreshments.
TRAIN + BIKE: the F.S. Pontremoli, Aulla, Equi Terme and Monzone are daily connected by Regional Trains with bike transport service. Thanks to this service, you can interrupt the stages at your leisure and return by train to the starting point. For info see: www.trenitalia.com.

BIKE ASSISTANCE AND RENTAL SERVICE:

• VILLAFRANCA: Due Ruote shop and assistance tel. 0187 495541 – 335 223917
• AULLA: Biciclo shop and assistance tel. 0187 408020
• FILATTIERA: Sigeric rental services tel. 333 6502210
• FIVIZZANO: AlterEco rental services tel. 338 5814482

INFORMATION NOTE: The proposed route has the sole purpose of suggesting an idea to bikepacking enthusiasts. The information and the gpx track (downloadable free of charge) have the sole purpose of giving general indications of the places that will be touched, of the structures present on the path, of the type of ground, of the altitude and of the length of the itinerary, in order to allow each potential user to evaluate, based on their experience and physical / technical ability, whether or not to tackle the Trail.
Whoever decides to follow it, therefore, assumes all the risks and responsibilities of the activity carried out, also considering that the practicability and condition of the roads and paths changes over time. Therefore, any liability for consequences related to the use of the track or information is declined.

SOME PROPOSALS FOR THE STAGES: