Futa–Mugello Coast-to-Hills Loop (2–3 days · ~220–250 km)
Apennine sweepers via SP65 · Mugello ridges & lakes · motorcycle-friendly stays with GARAGE/secure parking
Introduction
The Futa–Mugello loop distils the Apennines into a ride that is both unhurried and deeply satisfying. It is a compact journey built on rhythm rather than rush, where corners are read in phrases and the day stretches to the tempo of your breathing. Leaving the northern skirts of Bologna, the city loosens its grip almost at once. The carriageways narrow, hedgerows thicken, and the slopes begin to gather. Villages appear as clusters of warm stone and terracotta, half-hidden in folds of oak and chestnut, as if the hills had grown them rather than the other way around.
The SP65 towards Passo della Futa sets the character: long, confident arcs that reward gentle inputs and a steady throttle. Here, riding is less about conquering a gradient and more about stringing together a sequence of curves with that quiet assurance every rider seeks on a good day. Peaks do not crowd the horizon; instead the ridge-lines are broad and civil, offering you time to look ahead and place the bike. There is a sense of movement without strain, the kind of road that invites you to settle your shoulders and let the scenery pass at a thoughtful pace.
As you drop into the Mugello basin the light changes—softer, wider, touched by water. Lago di Bilancino spreads out like a pause mark in the landscape, its edges a loose thread of gravel paths, lawns and shaded corners where you can idle for half an hour with the helmet off. The practicalities are good here too: fuel is straightforward to find, cafés are used to riders, and accommodation options cluster within easy reach of the lake and the circuit. An overnight in Barberino or Scarperia means hearty Tuscan cooking, friendly service and—crucially—secure parking, so the bike is tucked up while you unwind.
Day two carries a different energy. The proximity of the Mugello Circuit lends a hum of focus to the morning; even the roundabouts feel crisper, as if the village geometry had learned something from the track. The climb to Passo del Giogo tightens the radii and spices the cambers, inviting you to work the bike a little more deliberately. Beyond Firenzuola the road lifts again towards Raticosa, where the horizon opens and the old spine of the Apennines runs clean and high. It is a finale of wide sight lines and linking sweepers, a last conversation with the wind before the descent.
This loop suits an unhurried weekend or a careful two-day window in a longer tour. It will not exhaust you with distance, yet it leaves a robust impression: tidy surfaces, human-scale villages, small discoveries—war memorials on ridges, frescoed chapels, a trattoria that makes its own tagliatelle—stitched into a ride that feels complete. Pack for changeable mountain weather, leave room for a lakeside pause, and give yourself permission to ride smoothly. The Apennines will do the rest.
Tech overview
Interactive map
Prefer Google Maps? Open full route.
Downloadable GPX
Day-by-day route
Day 1 — Ridge rhythm (≈110–130 km)
- Route: Bologna outskirts → Pianoro → Loiano → Passo della Futa → Firenzuola → Lago di Bilancino → Barberino di Mugello
- Km / Time / Elevation+: ~115 km · ~3h30 · ~1,400 m
- Road: SP65 sweepers, woodland valleys, lakeside finish
Day 2 — Circuit & cols (≈110–120 km)
- Route: Barberino → Scarperia (Mugello Circuit) → Borgo San Lorenzo → Passo del Giogo → Firenzuola → Raticosa → Bologna area
- Km / Time / Elevation+: ~120 km · ~3h30 · ~1,600 m
- Road: tighter mountain bends, ridge sections, classic Apennine vistas
Food & Sight POIs (with Google Maps)
| Place | Why stop | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Passo della Futa panorama | Broad ridge views; WWII memorial nearby. | Maps |
| Lago di Bilancino | Lakeside strolls; shaded picnic spots. | Maps |
| Mugello Circuit (viewpoint) | Motorsport ambience; quick photo op. | Maps |
| Passo del Giogo | Tighter bends; classic Apennine feel. | Maps |
| Passo della Raticosa | High-ridge finale; wide sight lines. | Maps |
Restaurants (book online)
| Restaurant | Style | Book / Maps |
|---|---|---|
| Ristorante Il Castelluccio — Barberino | Tuscan grill, steaks, countryside setting. | Book online · Maps |
| Elementi – Cocktail & Pizza — Barberino | Modern pizza & cocktails; good for groups. | Book online · Maps |
| Antica Sosta a Combiate — Calenzano | Pappardelle al cinghiale, bistecca, rustic terrace. | Book online · Maps |
| Ristorante Nascosto — Vicchio | Seasonal Tuscan cuisine; elegant countryside. | Book online · Maps |
| Ristorante Pizzeria Da Gianni — Calenzano | Fiorentina, truffle pasta; popular terrace. | Book online · Maps |
Only venues with a live booking page/form are included.
Motorcycle-friendly hotels with garage/secure parking (6)
- Hotel Dei Vicari — Scarperia ★★★★ Book on Booking.com Next to Mugello Circuit; secure parking; early breakfasts on event days.
- Inn Hotel — Barberino di Mugello ★★★ Book on Booking.com Easy A1 access; roomy parking and 24-hour reception for late arrivals.
- Park Hotel Ripaverde — Borgo San Lorenzo ★★★★ Book on Booking.com Pool and spacious rooms; reliable covered parking close to town.
- Gli Orzali — Firenzuola ★★★ Book on Booking.com Quiet mountain setting; friendly staff; handy for Giogo/Raticosa loop.
- Locanda degli Artisti — Borgo San Lorenzo ★★★ Book on Booking.com Central base; evening eateries nearby; garages/parking by arrangement.
- Residence Mugello Resort — Scarperia ★★★ Book on Booking.com Self-catering, pool, ample private parking close to the circuit.
No prices shown by design. Confirm garage/parking terms for motorbikes when booking.
Seasonality, weather & bike setup
- Best months: April–June & September–October; spring colours and stable grip.
- Watch for: weekend traffic near Mugello events; early starts help.
- Fuel: top-up before ridge sections; mobile signal dips on high passes.
- Tyres: sport-touring with strong wet grip; check pressures cold.
