Italy is a dream cycling destination for many. In the age of gravel, it is this country’s white roads – or the “strade bianche” as they are called in Italian – that are proving to be particularly alluring for those seeking quiet and crunchy backroads. In partnership with passionate local cyclists, we at SpiceRoads have carved out some truly epic gravel routes in the Central Italian regions of Marche, Umbria, and, yes, even Tuscany. Let’s dig into what exactly these gravel roads are all about. Italy's famous gravel roads, widely known as the "strade bianche" (Italian for "white roads"), are a wonderful network of unpaved routes winding through the picturesque countryside of Central Italy. Their distinctive whitish color comes from a mixture of chalk, clay, and fine gravel.
For decades, these “white roads” have long been the veins of rural life in the region, connecting farms and villages to one another. It’s only more recently that they have gained international renown thanks to the historic L’Eroica cycling events and the professional Strade Bianche races, it’s from the latter to which they also take their name.
Since 2007, pro racers have tackled the white chalk of Central Italy in the UCI's official Strade Bianche Races, navigating multiple gravel sectors with punchy climbs, thrilling descents, and technical sections, culminating in a dramatic finish in Siena's Piazza del Campo – often hailed as the "Northern Classic of the South" for its demanding nature.
In a different vein, the annual L’Eroica Events are more celebration than competition. Participants gather for a unique, non-competitive ride, often sporting vintage cycling attire and mostly riding pre-1987 steel bicycles against the stunning backdrop of the Tuscan countryside and its white gravel roads. While the "Strade Bianche" name is often associated with Tuscany's unpaved routes, this scenic network extends through other captivating parts of Central Italy, including Marche and Umbria.
If you've joined our Italy Coast To Coast By Gravel Bike or Unseen Central Italy: Marche Explorer cycling holidays, you're in for a treat. Our tours dive straight into the heart of Central Italy, riding past its vineyards, through its rolling hills, along cypress tree-lined lanes and some of the famous gravel sections from the Strade Bianche races and L’Eroica events. Handling our bikes over the loose gravel and uneven surfaces only adds to the fun factor while soaking up some truly breathtaking scenery unfolding around every bend and hill.
Without a doubt, Central Italy and its legendary white roads are a true notch-on-the-belt for any two-wheeled explorer – riding where the pros have battled, soaking in a dose of cycling heritage, all while being mesmerized by the amazing Italian countryside. Intrigued? Read more about our Italian tours here.
