The fourth edition hosted by PuntAla Camp & Resort opens the Punta Ala Trail Center season with record numbers, a no-race philosophy, and a weekend immersed in the Tuscan Maremma.
On April 25 and 26, 2026, Unpaved Roads returns to Punta Ala for the fourth consecutive year, opening the Punta Ala Trail Center bike season with one of the most eagerly awaited spring events in Maremma. Hosted by PuntAla Camp & Resort, which will exceptionally reopen from April 24 to May 3 for the occasion, the event once again confirms the natural synergy between the area, hospitality, and the no-race spirit, and arrives this year with record-breaking numbers: more than 500 registered participants for its most attended edition ever.
The reason is simple: here, gravel meets a special setting made of pine forests overlooking the sea, white roads alternating with coastal dirt tracks, gentle climbs through vineyards and olive groves, and sudden views opening onto the Tuscan horizon. It is a route that requires strong legs, but also invites riders to look around, leaving space for adventure, landscape, and the sheer pleasure of the ride. No competitive pressure, no rankings to chase, just the joy of crossing the wildest side of Maremma and discovering it from the saddle, kilometre after kilometre.
As Peppe Esposto, one of the organizers of Unpaved Roads, explains: “Maremma is still less explored by gravel riders than other better-known areas of the region, and that is exactly its value: it is a genuine land, capable of surprising anyone who rides through it.”
Maremma at its most true to the Unpaved Roads spirit
Among all the stops on the circuit, Punta Ala is one of those that best interprets gravel according to the Unpaved Roads philosophy: exploration, variety, and a sense of freedom. Here, performance is not what defines the experience, but the journey itself: the one built by pedalling, sharing the road, stopping, chatting, and allowing human connection to become part of the route.
Unpaved Roads Punta Ala is not just a bike event. It is an experience that brings together landscape, relationships, and the pleasure of spending time outdoors. Over the weekend, there is also room for the flavours of Tuscany, the local realities involved, and that authentic, convivial dimension that allows the event to leave a lasting impression without ever needing to exaggerate.
It is precisely this balance of scenery, cycling, and atmosphere that makes Punta Ala such a beloved stop and keeps participants coming back year after year. This is the idea behind the two routes of Unpaved Roads Punta Ala 2026, designed to offer different yet equally engaging experiences, with a different level of physical effort but the same spirit of discovery and enjoyment of being in the saddle.
Two routes to experience the area at your own pace
Both routes are designed to guide participants through the landscape, crossing some of the most beautiful places in this part of Maremma: the coast of the Bandite di Scarlino with views towards Cala Violina and Cala Martina, the former mining village of Gavorrano, Caldana, the Diaccia Botrona Nature Reserve, and the passage through Castiglione della Pescaia. These itineraries alternate white roads, coastal dirt sections, short rolling ups and downs, smoother stretches, and others that require attention and good energy management.
Refreshment stops are also part of the day, designed as real breaks within the experience. The first will be in Caldana, reserved for the long route, around km 31; the second in Castiglione della Pescaia, at km 65 of the long route and km 38 of the short route. To round off the weekend on two wheels, riders return to PuntAla Camp & Resort for the final refreshment stop.
Long route
82 km
1,020 m elevation gain
53% gravel
Average time: 7 hours
Short route
56 km
540 m elevation gain
49% gravel
Average time: 5 hours
Both routes are fully rideable, but in true Unpaved Roads spirit everyone is free to tackle them at their own pace: if a section feels too technical, uphill or downhill, riders can simply get off the bike and continue on foot. No pressure, no judgment.
How the weekend works
Saturday, April 25
You arrive in Punta Ala at your own pace. Check-in at the resort, bike ready, relaxed atmosphere. For those who want to start riding right away, Saturday includes a social ride, perfect for loosening up the legs, getting familiar with the area, and starting to share the experience with the other participants.
In the afternoon, the event village comes alive with a welcome aperitif, sponsor stands, time to browse, chat, and discover products and new ideas. During the day there will also be the Unpaved Roads lottery, with major prizes such as GPS devices, shoes, technical clothing, and other cycling-related items.
There will also be room for talks and meetings with partners and local organizations. As Peppe explains, “We wanted to create a moment for storytelling and exchange, where gravel also becomes culture, territory, and vision.”
Then everyone lives Saturday in their own way: relaxing, enjoying the sea, having dinner together, or simply taking pleasure in slowing down.
Sunday, April 26
Sunday is ride day. Everyone chooses the route that suits them best and pedals at their own pace along an itinerary that alternates coastal sections, white roads, rural landscapes, and natural environments of great charm.
There will be two refreshment stops along the route, designed as real moments of pause within the experience. Back at the resort, participants will find the final refreshment stop, hot showers, bike wash, and that feeling of lightness that only certain days on a bike can leave behind.
PuntAla Camp & Resort: the perfect base
Starting from and returning to PuntAla Camp & Resort makes everything even easier and more enjoyable. Nestled in the pine forest and just a few steps from the sea, the resort is the ideal base for experiencing the event as an active holiday, with all services close at hand.
The setting is also perfect for companions, who can easily access the resort and enjoy the weekend between relaxation, beach, and nature. For anyone needing technical support or wishing to rent a suitable bike, Punta Ala Trail Center, the bike centre inside the resort, offers specialized services, assistance, and rentals.
For anyone looking for a season opener made of bikes, sea, nature, and freedom, Punta Ala is the right place to begin.
We look forward to welcoming you on April 25–26, 2026 at PuntAla Camp & Resort.
