The future of cycling walks and excursions will be that of e-bikes. An opportunity for occasional cyclists to reach places that were once only accessible to experienced riders.

Italy's offering grows year on year, with incredible routes to choose from. Among these, some are excellent for trekking but can also be tackled on a pedal-assisted bicycle. Care is needed on certain stretches, such as the first section of the Via Julia Augusta or the Flaminia Militare, due to difficulties related to the condition of the terrain or the gradient.

Read also: E-bikes: everything you need to know about pedal-assisted bicycles

A sustainable holiday, that of e-bike routes, in the spirit of nature — one that the platform Virail, which compares all modes of transport via an app, recommends reaching by train. This way, less CO2 is emitted compared to travelling by car or plane. Let's look at some of the routes that can be tackled by e-bike or on foot.

E-bike routes: Alpe-Adria Trail

A route spanning no fewer than 43 stages and 750 kilometres, crossing three countries: the Alpe-Adria Trail starts in Carinthia, Austria, passes through Slovenia, and descends into Italy as far as the port of Muggia in Friuli-Venezia Giulia. The route can be joined at any point, in either direction, including from Trieste: each stage is twenty kilometres long.

For cyclists, only certain sections are open, while the Ciclovia Alpe Adria Radweg is available: running from the Austrian city of Salzburg to Grado, a town a few kilometres from Monfalcone in Friuli-Venezia Giulia. In Italian territory, the route partly follows the track of the old disused railway line, and from Tarvisio it passes through Gemona, Udine, Aquileia, and finally Grado on the Adriatic Sea. Train-bike-bus transport is available.

E-bike routes: Liguria along the ancient Via Julia Augusta

Travelling along what remains of this ancient Roman road, it is possible to observe the ruins of several monuments. On certain stretches of the Via Julia Augusta, you can cycle immersed in Mediterranean scrubland, with a panoramic view of the sea and even a glimpse of the island of Gallinara.
Along the ancient road connecting Albenga to Alassio, you walk for nearly six kilometres along a sheer drop to the sea, with the opportunity to stop along the way at the necropolis of the Roman settlement of Albingaunum and the ancient church of Sant'Anna ai Monti, before arriving at the Church of Santa Croce in Alassio.

Via degli Dei: from Bologna to Florence along the Flaminia Militare

Between myth and history, departing from Bologna and arriving in Florence across the Apennines: this is the Via degli Dei, a 130-kilometre itinerary retracing the ancient Flaminia Militare, used since Roman times. The name "Via degli Dei" derives from the places passed along the way, such as Monte Adone, Monzuno (Mons Iovis, the mountain of Jupiter), Monte Venere, and Monte Luario (from Lua, the Roman goddess of expiation). Some stretches are demanding — this route is best suited to experienced riders who are willing to work up a sweat.

Crossing central Italy along the Coast2Coast by e-bike

From the Adriatic Sea to the Tyrrhenian, 440 kilometres by bicycle spread across nine stages to discover central Italy: this is Italia Coast2Coast, the route linking the Adriatic to the Tyrrhenian through four regions. It sets off from Portonovo, near Ancona, reaches Umbria at Nocera Umbra, and continues to Assisi. The route then crosses the Valle Umbra and enters Lazio, with a stop at Orvieto, before continuing towards Sorano, the first of the "tufa cities", in Tuscany. The final stages head towards the sea to reach Orbetello.

Along the Dormiente Sannita: Campania's landscape by e-bike

Read also: Via Francigena by bicycle: an ecological, restorative and community-building journey

The Via Francigena, once it enters Campania, meets the Dormiente del Sannio: the Taburno massif appears to form a stylised image of a woman lying down, known as "la Dormiente". Also doable on foot or on horseback, it takes around three and a half hours for a total of 35 kilometres from Montesarchio to Vitulano. An e-bike route that allows you to admire the natural beauty of the Taburno-Camposauro regional park.

Il Cammino Materano: all roads lead to Matera

Il Cammino Materano consists of four routes (Via Peuceta, Via Ellenica, Via Sveva, Via Dauna) which, following paths of historical age and ancient drove roads, allow travellers to set off from Bari, Brindisi, Trani or Lucera and arrive at the Cathedral of the Madonna della Bruna in Matera. In total, there are 170 kilometres of walking that, through trulli, farmsteads, as well as cathedrals, medieval villages and cave churches, enable travellers to discover the beauty and breadth of the Apulian and Lucanian heritage.

E-bike route with sea views: the Zingaro Nature Reserve in Sicily

Seven kilometres of unspoilt nature along the Sicilian coast: this is the itinerary crossing the Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro, starting from either of its two entrances — to the north near San Vito Lo Capo or to the south from Scopello. An e-bike route among dwarf palms, the symbol of the reserve, with the hope of spotting the rare Bonelli's eagle. Along the way, it is impossible not to stop for a rest in the wonderful coves.

This is just a selection of the many e-bike routes available across Italy and beyond, offering a holiday at a slower pace while still keeping active. The only precaution is to make sure which routes are suitable for cycling and which are best suited to your own abilities.