After cycling in the Murgia Plateau of Puglia, you will reach Basilicata and cross its valleys, climb the Apennines, and reach the Pollino National Park, the largest natural area in Italy.
The final destination will be Maratea, the goddess of the sea.
Highlights
Trani
The Sassi of Matera
The Murgia Plateau
The Pollino National Park
Maratea, the goddess of the sea
Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1 – Trani
Arrival and get settled in at your hotel in Trani, an old town facing the Adriatic Sea. There is a lovely historical centre, Romanesque Cathedral, castle, gardens and old port where we suggest you to have dinner, choosing from the fish menu at one of the small restaurants. Dinner on your own and overnight stay.
Day 2 – The Alta Murgia National Park
Move inland to the Unesco Heritage site of Castel del Monte, an outstanding example of Medieval architecture. Cycling the Alta Murgia and through Gravina you’ll reach Matera, known for its “Sassi”. The Sassi are houses dug into the tuff rock itself, which is characteristic of Basilicata and Puglia. Many of these “houses” are really only caverns, and the streets in some parts of the Sassi are often located on the rooftops of other houses. Dinner on your own and overnight at your Hotel in the Sassi district.
Distance: about 115 km
Grade: moderate
Day 3 – The Apennines
You will pass along the Lake of San Giuliano, cycling through the rolling hills of Valle del Basento you reach the mountains in the Park of Piccole Dolomiti Lucane. Overnight in Pietrapertosa.
Distance: about 90 km
Grade: challenge
Day 4 – The Calanchi Valley
Enter the Agri River valley and from the woods you’ll suddenly find yourself in the middle of the astonishing landscape of the Calanchi, which are deforested, sandy soiled hills. Stop in Tursi for dinner (on your own) and overnight stay.
Distance: Approx. 80 km
Grade: moderate
Day 5 – The Pollino National Park
After visiting Santuario di Anglona, rich of medieval frescoes, cross the Sinni river and start climbing to the Pollino National Park: one of the prettiest and biggest in Italy. Dinner on your own and overnight stay at Terranova del Pollino.
Distance: about 80 km
Grade moderate to challenge
Day 6 – On the peaks of the massifs
This is the hardest stage of the tour. Through forests, long climbs, wide valleys and pretty villages like San Severino Lucano and Viggianello. Dinner on your own and overnight stay.
Distance: about 45 km
Grade: challenge
Day 7 – Maratea
Through the Valle del Noce you reach the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea. A beautiful coastal road leads you to Maratea. Dinner on your own and overnight stay.
Distance: about 80 km
Grade: moderate
Day 8 – End of tour
Breakfast and transfer to Bari airport.
details and prices
8 Days/7 Nights
Moderate/Challenge
6 days by bicycle covering hilly and mountainous courses where there is an increasing level of difficulty
460 km with stages from 45 to 115 km to be done in 4 – 8 hours within the day
3 stars hotels
Self-Guided: from € 955 per person in double room (4 participants min)
Self-Guided: from € 1325 per person in double room (2 participants min)
Guided: from € 1550 per person in double room (6 participants min)
departure dates
Self Guided Tours
Any day from April 15 to October 30
Guided Tours
May 28, June 12 and 26, July 10, August 27, September 10 and 24, October 8.
Any other date upon request with a minimum of 6 participants.
SELF GUIDED TOUR PRICES
€ 955,00 (4 participants minimum)*
€ 1325,00 (2 participants minimum)*
Single room supplement: € 290.00
Prices per person based on double room occupancy
Included
7 nights in double rooms with breakfast (3* hotels), luggage transfer, transfer back to Bari at the end of the tour, technical and emergency assistance, road book.
Not Included
Medical/Luggage insurance, city taxes, drinks, lunches and dinners, entrance fees, tips, personal extras, everything else which does not come under the heading “ Included”.
GUIDED TOUR PRICES
Comfort tour *:
€ 1.550,00 (6 pax min) *
Single room supplement: € 290.00
Prices per person based on double room occupancy
Included
7 nights in double rooms (4* hotels mainly) with breakfast, all transfers from/to Bari airport + van assistance, cycling guide, luggage transfer, technical and emergency assistance, gpx tracks.
Not Included
Medical/Luggage insurance, lunches and dinners, drinks, entrance fees, tips, personal extras, everything else which does not come under the heading “included”.
additional charges
Transfer from Bari APT to Trani: € 45.00 (per person with 2 pax travelling min.)
Transfer from Matera to Bari APT: € 45.00 (per person with 2 pax travelling min.)
Gravel Road bike: € 240,00 (7 days)
Hybrid bike: € 120,00 (7 days)
E-bike: € 240,00 (7 days)
Full carbon road bike: € 240,00 (7 days)
Helmet hire: 10,00 €
extend your tour
Pre tour extra night in Trani
€ 60,00 in double room – € 85,00 in single room
Post tour extra night in Maratea
Upon request
Add one of our authentic experiences
Castel del Monte, UNESCO site
1 hour
from 25 € per person – 4 PARTICIPANTS MIN.
Escorted tour of Castel del Monte XIII, a masterpiece of medieval military architecture, a successful blend of elements from the Islamic Orient and north European Cistercian Gothic. UNESCO Heritage Site since 1996.
Matera, escorted tour of the “Sassi”
2 hours
from 25 € per person – 4 PARTICIPANTS MIN.
A tour of the Sassi districts along beautiful paths, discovering the typical courtyards surrounded by cave-houses.
Cooking Class with the Bandits menù
3 hours
from 80 € per person – 4 PARTICIPANTS MIN.
The bandits who fought against the unification of Italy at the end of the 19th century found refuge in the splendid scenery of the Lucanian Dolomites. We learn to cook the dishes of that time and to appreciate the genuine products of the mountains.
Maratea, the pearl of Thyrrenian Sea
2 hours
from 30 € per person – 4 PARTICIPANTS MIN.
Nestled in the Gulf of Policastro, the charming village of Maratea is worth a visit. You discover the old town, labyrinth of stone houses and ancient frescoed churches, including St. Maria Maggiore known as “Mother Church” that dates back to the 13° century.
The coast of Maratea
3-4 hours
from 35 € per person – 4 PARTICIPANTS MIN.
A nice loop, hiking to Monte San Biagio. You start from the center of Maratea to the Redeemer, a 21 m high statue of Christ who spreads his arms in a protective and blessing way. From here you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Gulf of Policastro. The most magical moment is the sunset over the sea.
Distance: around 6 km / Altitude 500 mt / Grade: medium
all our cycling tours
Sassi and Trulli
8 days cycling tour • From € 770,00
A week cycling around the two wonderful UNESCO sites of Alberobello and Matera.
Castles and Wines
8 days cycling tour • From € 890,00
Everyday you will discover local art treasures and tasting food.
Basilicata Coast To Coast
5 days cycling tour • From € 645,00
From the Ionian to the Tyrrhenian Sea
Grande Puglia
13 days cycling tour • From € 1695,00
A cycling tour starting from the hills of the Alta Murgia and ending in Otranto.
Puglia Cycling Tour
8 days cycling tour • From € 632,00
An easy tour through the Heel of the Boot of Italy by bike.
unesco sites
8 days cycling tour • From € 1030,00
Cycling among the UNESCO world heritage sites of Apulia and Basilicata.
Southern Italy Coast to Coast
8 days cycling tour • From € 955,00
A challenge Road Bike Tour into the silence, light and history of Puglia and Basilicata.
Heart of puglia
5 days cycling tour • From € 680,00
A short break crossing the heart of Puglia from Matera to Monopoli.
Basilicata: Woods and Calanques by Bike
7 days cycling tour • From € 620,00
A bike tour in the heart of Basilicata, crossing different types of landscapes
