Between the Adriatic Sea and the Apennines — rides in Italy’s Abruzzo

Bike Touring Collection by Abruzzo

Tours

45:04 h

425 mi

31,650 ft

Between the impressive peaks of the Apennines and the sun-drenched Adriatic Sea lies a region of incredible beauty: Abruzzo. Centrally located on Italy's east coast, you'll find everything from fine sandy beaches to vibrant vineyards and rugged mountains. The natural spaces in Abruzzo are protected by national parks and nature reserves, and traditions are still upheld and lived out in the medieval villages.

In this Collection, we present six cycling Tours that take you to picturesque mountain villages, dreamlike beaches, magnificent viewpoints and unique natural highlights. Whether you prefer cycling along the flat Adriatic coast or taking on steep climbs into the Apennines is up to you.

The scenic and cultural diversity of Abruzzo is unique. The capital of the region, L'Aquila, is the best example of this: a fortified city with numerous palazzi and churches in the midst of a dreamlike mountain world. After many buildings were severely damaged in a 2009 earthquake, the city is beginning to flourish again. Another special feature of the local Adriatic coast with its many bays are the so-called ‘Trabocchi’ – pile dwellings that have been used for fishing for more than a century.

Abruzzo is definitely considered an insider tip for cycling. Thanks to the well-developed cycle paths and impressive panoramic roads, Abruzzo is equally suitable for touring and racing cyclists – you can ride the Tours presented here on either type of bike. Longer routes can easily be divided into several daily stages, as there are many beautiful villages and towns along the way. Discover a region that’s full of surprises.

More information about the region can be found here abruzzoturismo.it/en or here italia.it/en/abruzzo.

On The Map

Tours & Highlights

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Alba Adriatica along the villages of Val Vibrata — cycle rides in Abruzzo
04:43
44.6 mi
9.5 mph
3,375 ft
3,375 ft
Expert
Expert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
From the sea straight into the mountains, where beautiful villages nestle on the green slopes: This 72-kilometer tour offers you exactly that. From Alba Adriatica, one of the seven pearls of the Teramo coast, you cycle steeply up to Colonella, the high over the valley of the Tronto river. Then it goes…
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Gran Fondo Città L'Aquila — cycle rides in Abruzzo
07:42
72.4 mi
9.4 mph
5,775 ft
5,800 ft
Expert
Expert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
This 117-kilometer loop takes you through the beautiful hills of the province of L'Aquila, passing through some scenic spots. If you decide to split the route into two stages, then you can return to L'Aquila halfway through as the route approaches the city again. From the starting point at the impressive…
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Martinsicuro to San Salvo along the Via Verde — cycle rides in Abruzzo
07:51
82.1 mi
10.4 mph
1,500 ft
1,500 ft
Expert
Expert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
More sea is not possible: This bike tour takes you 131 kilometers almost continuously flat along the Adriatic coast. On the very well-developed cycle paths, which were laid out on disused railway tracks, you are car-free and can enjoy fantastic views of the Mediterranean Sea and the mountains of Abruzzo…
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Panoramic Road SS81 Piceno Aprutina — cycle rides in Abruzzo
11:23
103 mi
9.0 mph
10,050 ft
10,875 ft
Expert
Expert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Strada Statale 81 is one of the longest roads in the region and divides the territory of Abruzzo in two. On this 166-kilometer bike tour, which is best broken up into several stages, you will cross three provinces and enjoy views between the Adriatic coast and the peaks of the Apennines and Gran Sasso…
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Gran Fondo della Majella — cycle rides in Abruzzo
08:48
78.5 mi
8.9 mph
7,925 ft
7,925 ft
Expert
Expert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
The Gran Fondo, the big Majella circuit, takes you through dreamy landscapes on and in the impressive Majella National Park. The demanding tour with a total of 2,400 meters of ascent and descent starts in Fara San Martino, where the Fiume Verde rises. Its source with the radiant turquoise water is the…
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Between ancient walls and lush vineyards — cycle rides in Abruzzo
04:36
44.6 mi
9.7 mph
3,025 ft
3,025 ft
Expert
Expert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
This 72-kilometer circuit represents the perfect combination of sea and mountains and offers a varied overview of the natural landscapes in Abruzzo. Starting from Francavilla al Mare on the Costa dei Trabocchi, follow the road along the Foro river towards Guardiagrele. The incline increases steadily…
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