Auto Rally Garfagnana

A vintage car rally brought back to life

The Auto Rally Garfagnana is much more than just a classic car gathering: it is a faithful re-enactment of the event that, starting in 1964, enlivened the streets of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana until its suspension in 1976. After nearly half a century of silence, the Pro Loco Castelnuovo di Garfagnana APS has brought this tradition back to life, attracting car enthusiasts from all over Tuscany and beyond to the heart of the Lucca province.

The 2026 edition, the fifteenth, marks sixty-two years since the first race and pays special tribute to the Alfa Romeo Duetto, the iconic spider celebrating its sixtieth anniversary, which is being admitted for the occasion without the usual age restrictions applied to the vehicle fleet.

Not a race, but a journey through time

The Auto Rally Garfagnana is non-competitive: just as in the past, the spirit is one of relaxation, social interaction, and the pure pleasure of driving in good company. Participation is limited to cars registered in the 60s and 70s, with a maximum of about fifty vehicles, and participants are encouraged to wear vintage clothing to recreate the atmosphere of those years. Along the approximately 100-kilometer route, there is no shortage of fine dining featuring typical Garfagnana products and live music from the sixties and seventies.

Through the villages of the Serchio Valley

The route is an authentic journey of discovery through the Garfagnana: from the historic streets of Castelnuovo, the cars reach Pieve Fosciana, Castiglione di Garfagnana, Villa Collemandina, and the panoramas of the Orecchiella Park, before touching San Romano, Piazza al Serchio, Minucciano, Camporgiano, Careggine, and the evocative settings of Vagli and Campocatino. A route that crosses nine municipalities and tells the story of this Apennine corner of Tuscany, curve after curve.

Two days of passion

Saturday is dedicated to the tour through the villages, with skill tests in the historic town centers; Sunday features the historical gymkhana in the heart of Castelnuovo, followed by a convivial lunch and the awards ceremony. A weekend that combines nostalgia for the cars of yesteryear with the rediscovery of a region with authentic charm.