Italy Divide: Coast to Coast

Italy Divide is one of Europe’s best-known self-supported bikepacking events, taking riders across the length of Italy on a spectacular journey through mountains, historic cities, forests, vineyards, and lakes. Designed for gravel and adventure bikes, the event combines demanding off-road terrain with rich cultural experiences, making it as much an expedition as it is an ultra-distance challenge.

The event offers three route options to suit different levels of experience. The Origins covers approximately 700 kilometres with 14,000 metres of elevation gain, starting in Rome and finishing at Bike Farm Torbole on Lake Garda. The Classic spans 1,250 kilometres with around 22,000 metres of climbing, beginning in Pompeii and also finishing in Torbole. The ultimate challenge is the XL, a 1,650-kilometre route with 29,000 metres of elevation gain, starting in Bari and crossing 11 Italian regions before reaching Lake Garda.

Italy Divide follows a strict self-supported philosophy. Riders are responsible for their own navigation, accommodation, food, and mechanical repairs, with no outside assistance permitted. The carefully designed routes blend gravel roads, forest tracks, ancient trails, quiet backroads, and occasional hike-a-bike sections, rewarding resilience, strategy, and a spirit of adventure.

From the ruins of Pompeii and the rolling hills of Tuscany to the Apennines, the Po Valley, and the dramatic shores of Lake Garda, Italy Divide showcases the incredible diversity of Italy. Combining world-class route design, unforgettable scenery, and a welcoming bikepacking community, it has become one of the continent’s premier ultra-distance gravel adventures.