The UNESCO Sites of Puglia and Basilicata Cycling Tour

Cycling from the sea through the Alta Murgia National Park, among the UNESCO world heritage sites of Apulia and Basilicata. You will start from Trani, with its port and gorgeous cathedral, then Castel del Monte, a mysterious octagonal-shaped castle built by Frederick II.

After crossing the Bradano Valley, on roads surrounded by hills of wheat, head for Matera, with its ancient Sassi district, dwellings dug out of the rock.

The journey ends in the Itria Valley, among the trulli of Alberobello and Ostuni, the “white town”.

The tour unwinds largely on secondary roads with little traffic. Mainly on asphalt that is suitable for road bikes. The area is predominantly hilly with short, easy climbs near some of the towns.

Highlights

The Cathedral in Trani
Castel del Monte
Gravina in Puglia stone bridge
Altamura’s Cathedral
The Sassi of Matera and the Rock Churches
Staying in a Trullo in Alberobello
Cycling in the Itria Valley
Ostuni and the view over the olive groves and the sea

Itinerary

Day 1 – Trani

Arrival in Trani and get settled in at your hotel. Free time for visiting this old city with its beautiful historical Centre, the Romanesque Cathedral overlooking the sea, the Swabian Castle, the historical buildings, the gardens and the port, where we recommend you taste some fish for dinner in one of the many restaurants.

Day 2 – Towards Castel del Monte

Your trip begins crossing the Alta Murgia countryside, not far from Castel del Monte, surrounded by olive grooves and vineyards. Before the end of your ride you will visit the Castle of Frederick II, an amazing site, in the list of UNESCO’s world heritage sites, which is unique of its kind.
Distance: about 45 km
Grade: Easy route, with a short climb to the Castle

Day 3 – Gravina di Puglia

Leave the marvelous meadowlands in the park and head on to the valley until you come to the town of Gravina di Puglia, along semi-deserted roads where time seems to stand still. The town, which dates back to the 8th century B.C., unfolds over the centuries with amazing evidence of the various civilizations. Don’t miss a visit to the underground town and historical Centre.
Distance: about 47 km
Grade: Easy hilly route with short climbs

Day 4 –Altamura and Matera

Cycle to Altamura, famous for its medieval cathedral and “the bread”. Discover the streets in the historical Centre, beneath the cathedral bell-tower and taste some fresh focaccia baked in an old wood-burning oven. Set off again for the countryside towards the built-up town of Matera, which is just a few kilometers away (you are in Basilicata now).
Arrival in the old part of the town called the “Sassi” and accommodation in a hotel in the historical Centre. Don’t miss a visit to the rock churches and city’s museums (ask us for a private guided tour).
Distance: 46 km
Grade: Easy route with short climbs at the end of the day.

Day 5 – Enjoy a rest day or…

Enjoy a relaxing day visiting the city of Matera. A leisurely walk will enable you to visit: museums, rock churches. Alternatively, you have the choice of two routes that give you the chance to explore the surrounding area.

Day 5 – Loop 1 – the Murgia and the view over the Sassi

Liking to go to the other side of the gorge? That’s an easy loop to make in the morning that will leave you great memories of this town. From the Murgia plateau the view over the Sassi is amazing. You can also visit some rock churches and a Neolithic village over there.
Distance: about 36 km
Grade: easy, with a short climb to reach the plateau

Day 5 – Loop 2 – San Giuliano Lake, the Matera hills and the Crypt of Original Sin

Follow the beautiful, deserted road around the San Giuliano Lake, a peaceful wildlife reserve for migratory species from Africa. A stop-off at the lake is recommended for a picnic. Don’t miss a visit to the Crypt of Original Sin. This fascinating rock oratory represents one of the oldest examples of rock art in the South of Italy. Its extraordinary cycle of frescoes painted five hundred years before Giotto, highlights the typical features of Benedictine-Beneventan art (8th -9th centuries). Book this visit with us before going there. Back to Matera.
Distance: about 40 km
Grade: moderate, with a long climb at the end.

Day 6 – Alberobello

Breakfast and departure for Puglia. Go through the towns of Gioia del Colle and Noci until you reach Alberobello. Accommodation in a trulli complex dating back to 1600, in the historical centre of Alberobello, which is included among UNESCO’s world heritage sites.
Distance: about Km. 69.
Grade: easy with rolling hills.

Day 7 – Ostuni “the White”

Cycling through the Selva (forest) near Fasano, you follow the Adriatic coast and reach Ostuni, which is reputed an architectural jewel, and is commonly referred to as “the White Town” for its white walls and its typically white-painted architecture.
Distance: about 45 km
Grade: easy with rolling hills.

Day 8 – End of tour

Breakfast and end of tour.