Green Hills

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival

Upon arrival at Pescara airport or Pescara train station, we transfer you to your quaint and lovely accommodation in the Pescara hillside where our host will welcome you. Here, he/she will be personally at hand for any questions, and will supply you step by step with further guidelines on the information you will have received prior to departure.

You may wish to have a stroll or relax beside the beautiful swimming pool at the accommodation before dining on a freshly prepared meal. Two days of cycling will follow along quiet roads and open views of the Gran Sasso and Maiella massifs, the highest peaks of the Italian Appennini.  

Day 2 Stage 1: Loreto (loop) 53 km – total climb 900 mts

We cycle through quiet roads and gentle hills in Vestina, a pre-Roman area, passing through beautiful villages and agricultural landscape where grapes and olives are grown and harvested.

Day 3 Loreto-Caramanico Terme 65 km – total climb 1200 mts

Today our journey begins on rolling terrain, travelling through historical towns with muralled walls where we can taste the locally produced wine and then cross over the Pescara-Aterno River. There will be a 6 km climb after which we can have a drink from one of the village’s natural spring water fountains. We then proceed to the spa resort of Caramanico Terme where we will be accommodated over the next two nights.

Day 4 Rest day

Thanks to its mineral and sulphur springs, Caramanico has been a spa resort since 1576. From a simple massage to a mud and spring water therapy, a wide range of cosmetic and medical treatments are available. Caramanico is also the location of spectacular hiking trails so before getting pampered in the spa, we suggest a morning hike in the pristine wilderness of the National Park of Maiella.

Day 5 Caramanico Terme-Pretoro 42 km – total climb 700 mts

Our cycling journey will take us to the eastern side of the Maiella through a 15 km descent to the Aterno River. The Maiella mountains with the deep valleys of the area is the land of saints, blessed by ancient sanctuaries and hermitages. Romanic style villages with cathedrals, palaces and fountains were built in local stone. The road rises gently with a few steep sections but the fresh mountain water will keep us going until we reach Pretoro, a spectacular stone town clung to the side of the mountain. We spend the night in a charming B&B in the very heart of town.

Day 6 Pretoro-Marina di S.Vito 62 km – total climb 750 mts

The scenery will change from hilly countryside and rugged mountains to the nicest part of the Adriatic coast. The riding will be easier and we will have time to enjoy some swimming and sunbathing. We will descend to Guardiagrele for a visit, the main town this side of the Maiella renowned for its wrought iron masters, and then proceed through vineyards. A 15 km detour toward the coast will allow for a gelato near the Castle located on a high promenade that spans over the Adriatic Sea. We can otherwise ride directly to Marina di S.Vito where we will spend our last two nights of the tour in the elegant hotel just across from the beach.

Day 7 Marina di S.Vito (loop) 54 km – 500 mts

Our final ride is entirely set on the easy-rolling coastal route, the Costa dei Trabocchi, famous for its ancient wooden stilt-constructions suspended above the sea for fishing: a distinctive feature of the southern coast of Abruzzo. We ride south crossing the Sangro river, then a short detour takes us inland to the magnificent abbey of S.Giovanni in Venere, one of the finest Romanic churches in Italy for its location, architecture and artworks. We head back to the hotel where dinner this evening is not included so you are free to choose from one of the remarkable seafood trattorias in town.  

Day 8
After a comfortable breakfast you check-out of the hotel for your transfer to Pescara airport or Pescara train station.