Discover abruzzo… the apennine way
Cycling Level
9 days 8 nights
Half Board accommodation
from €1,595 per person (sharing a twin/double room)
Contact
If you wish to enquire about this tour please contact us on +44 (0)779 2064623 email: enquiries@vyvigo.co.uk
Self Guided (Details In “Our Price Includes”): Minimum 2 Maximum 6 People
For guided itineraries and for groups larger than 6: please contact us for a customised quote
Custom dates for 2024 are subject to availability
Fixed dates:
23 April - 1 May 2024
12 - 20 May 2024
6 - 14 June 2024
12 - 20 September 2024
4 - 12 October 2024
7 Stages
Total distance: 626 km Total climb 9800 mts
average mileage: 90 km/day
average climb: 1400 mts/day
Located only an hour east of Rome, the Abruzzo region offers some of the most exciting cycling you will find in Italy by way of National Parks, memorable climbs, hills dotted with olive trees, a network of enchanting back-roads, Renaissance villages lost in the wilderness, and much more. The Apennine range is the mountain backbone along the length of the peninsula, its highest peaks at over 2000 mts. Family-run farming guarantees fresh and organic ingredients for its sumptuous regional cuisine and wines. You will love the warm hospitality and rich taste of the local red Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wine.
GIRO D'ITALIA: most often coincides with this Abruzzo itinerary in which case we like to share the excitement of a Giro stage arrival with you. If your group feels the itch for a bit of competition or simply wishes to be part of a great cycling event, with a only a few changes we can customise participation in a GRAN FONDO race at a supplement. Only a handful of riders battle for elite placing and the remaining hundreds of men and women of different age and fitness level are in it just for the fun. Some professional racers ride the Gran Fondo for training purposes.
our price Includes:
8 nights B&B accommodation in Agriturismo and/or 3-4 star hotels
Transfer to your accommodation from meeting point on arrival in Pescara (PSR airport or Pescara train station)
Welcome host
7 dinners and 8 breakfasts
Van with driver that transports your baggage throughout the tour
Detailed route description and planning
On-call emergency assistance
Daily maps and cue sheets
We provide you with all hotel bookings, a 24hr phone number for emergency assistance, daily maps with a detailed itinerary, tips on local scenic stops and cultural highlights, refreshments and restaurant suggestions
The itinerary
Day 1:
Arrival
Our host will welcome you at your quaint and lovely accommodation in the Pescara hillside. Here, he/she will be personally at hand for any questions, and to supply you step by step with further guidelines on the information you will have received prior to departure. It is best to arrive in the morning to allow a visit to a very interesting cycle shop of the area, followed by a swim and some sunbathing at the beach or relaxed poolside lounging, sipping wine beneath the olive trees.
Day 2:
Stage 1: Loreto Aprutino loop 81 km - 1500 mts total climb
This stage is along the eastern side of the Gran Sasso massif, a green belt of hills dotted by olive trees, vineyards and ancient villages. The rolling start leads to great views of the Maiella mountains. The up and down terrain continues on quiet roads, followed by two longer climbs that will lead to an amazing terrace overlooking the green pastures of the Gran Sasso. Then, mostly descending, we reach Penne for a lunch stop. As the end of the loop is only 10 km away we can indulge in a glass or two of the local Montepulciano wine.
Day 3:
Stage 2: Loreto Aprutino-Sulmona 99 km - 1800 mts total climb
After checking out we head toward the Maiella mountains, crossing charming villages through hills and the Aterno River after which, with a few breaks to loosen up, we begin the 35 km climb to Passo S.Leonardo. The gradient rarely goes over 6% and the views are stunning. The first section of the climb is followed by an easier stretch to a lovely spa town. The going gets harsh again but the last 10 km are easy. At the summit we can admire the entire valley and the fairy-like hamlet, after which we descend along the other side for a lunch stop in a medieval village. A few more km downhill and we arrive in Sulmona, the set for George Clooney’s film, ‘The American’. Here we stay two nights in a 4 star city centre hotel.
Day 4:
Stage 3: Sulmona-Alfedena 74 km - 1400 mts total climb
This stage is set in the Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo, the oldest wild Park in Italy. The first amazing view will be that of villages silhouetted against high rocks. We cross through tunnels, then gently rise into the Sagittario river canyon following the roaring stream until we reach the intense green mirror that is Lake S. Domenico. The road levels up along the shores of Lake Scanno, its village a jewel of Renaissance architecture famed for traditional lace and jewelry. We climb on long but steady grades to Passo Godi, followed by the long descent to Lake Barrea and finally, Alfedena where our ride ends with a sumptuous lunch before travelling back to Sulmona by van.
Day 5:
Stage 4: Sulmona-L’Aquila 71 km - 600 mts total climb
This stage is the easiest of the tour. From Sulmona we head north along the river and cross the S. Venanzio Gorges outside which the valley opens up, showing its medieval villages lost in lush greenery: castles and Renassaince churches mark our route. The course is almost completely flat and we’ll see the mountains from a distance. We arrive in L’Aquila, the capital of Abruzzo, where we stay 4 nights in a charming hotel in the oldest part of the city.
Day 6:
Stage 5: L'Aquila-Campotosto loop 102 km - 1200 mts total climb
This stage is the longest of the tour. We start with a long climb through the woods to Passo Capannelle and reach Campotosto Lake where clear waters mirror the Gran Sasso and Laga mountains. We will circle most of it before descending to Amatrice to feast on its succulent local speciality: pasta all’amatriciana. We then have a long but easy way back.
Day 7:
Stage 6: L'Aquila-Gran Sasso loop 95 km - 1800 mts total climb
We climb the highest peak of the Appennini. The first section ends at Fonte Cerreto which will be our last chance for a cappuccino break before embarking on the bare moonscape ahead. The second summit is Monte Cristo, then only a brief descent before resuming the climb up to the 2150 mts of the Gran Sasso, the King of the Apennini and the highest paved road south of the Alps. On the way down we stop for lunch in one of Abruzzo’s most enchanting villages, after which we ride back to L’Aquila.
Day 8:
Stage 7: L'Aquila-Sirente loop 104 km - 1500 mts total climb
This last stage is in the Parco of Velino-Sirente mountains. We cruise the Aterno Valley farmland to the Renaissance village of Fontecchio. A few ups and downs lead us to Secinaro where we begin the long ascent to the highland of the Sirente where eagles are a common view. When we reach Rocca di Mezzo we can toast the end of our fatigue. Castles and monasteries perched high on rocks will watch upon us along the descent to L'Aquila where we later take a stroll along stone paved alleys, have a succulent dinner and a bit of nightlife.
Day 9:
After a comfortable breakfast you check-out of the hotel and easily proceed to the local coach or train station for your journey to the airport or destination of your choice.
Enquire with us if you wish for us to arrange this last or next part of your trip and we will follow with a quote for you.
Extras
Flights
Airport transfer at check-out (we can arrange this for you; a charge will apply according to season/availability
Lunches, beverages and any meals other than those specified under “Our Price Includes”
Single room supplement of €296
Bike hire: hybrid or race an includes cycle computer, repair kit, pump, lock (we can arrange this for you)
E-bike hire: we can arrange this for you
Cycling guide with full van support throughout the tour (please ask for a quote if you prefer a guided cycling trip).
Gratuities and items of a personal nature
Bicycle case storage (if bringing your own bike)
Italian tourist tax at hotels (between €1 for small towns and €5 for large cities, per person per night)
For self-guided tours (min 2 people)
A van with an English speaking driver transports you, your bicycle and baggage from and to the airport and moves your baggage throughout the tour. We provide you with hotel booking, a 24hr phone number for assistance, daily maps with a detailed itinerary, sightseeing and restaurant suggestions.
For groups of 7 or more:
All our cycling itineraries can be customised to your specific tastes and requirements