DEPARTURES 18/09

A trip to Molise by bicycle, reaching Puglia, cycling up to the Gargano. From the sea to the hinterland, from the magical views of the Adriatic to the green lung, a heritage of biodiversity, the itineraries from Molise to the Gargano, on the trail of the Giro d'Italia, are many and surprising. But all of Molise and Puglia are a true paradise for cyclists. Up to the extreme northeastern tip, where the land overlooks the Adriatic and looks to Montenegro.

1st day: Arrival in Termoli

Meeting with the guide at the host facility and bike test. Visit of the small ancient village, one of the most beautiful in Italy, located on a rocky promontory overlooking the sea, with the Cathedral in the center, a national monument among the most beautiful examples of Romanesque in Molise, which preserves the relics of the patron San Basso. On one side of the village, surrounded by ancient walls, is the fascinating Swabian Castle, probably of Norman origin, but whose defensive structure was strengthened by Frederick II. Briefing. Typical dinner and overnight stay.

2nd day: from Termoli San Nicandro Garganico

Termoli Campomarino Lido, will be the first prologue of this holiday in Molise. Between the Saccione stream and the Fortore river, on the ruins of the Italic city of Cliternia, the lively Marina di Chieuti rises in the province of Foggia, almost on the northern border of Puglia with Molise. We continue towards Lesina and we see the lake of the same name before going up to San Nicandro Garganico. Considered the "ancient gate of the Gargano", due to its position as the northern vanguard of the promontory, the city stands on a complex of hills a few kilometers south-east of Lake Lesina. The territory of San Nicandro is a variegated set of micro-environments and landscapes, in which ravines, caves and springs reveal the strongly karst nature of the territory. The most important karst phenomenon is certainly the Dolina Pozzatina, a large natural amphitheater a few kilometers from the city, on the SS 89 towards San Marco in Lamis. I arrive. Dinner and overnight.

KM stage: 69

Difference in altitude: 445

3rd day: from San Nicandro Garganico to Mattinata

It starts again and outside the inhabited center, the Archaeological Site of Monte d'Elio also falls within the territory of San Nicandro, with the ruins of the ancient medieval city of Devia and the enchanting Church of Santa Maria di Monte d'Elio, Romanesque style, where the ancient paintings dating back to the XII-XIII century are still preserved. From this hill you can enjoy an extraordinary view over the Sagri-Folconetto plain, with a glimpse of the Lesina and Varano lakes and the sea. We head towards San Marco in Lamis and arrive in San Giovanni Rotondo. Time for a visit to the shrine of Padre Pio to continue the march the Shrine of Sam Michael the Archangel on Mount Sant’Angelo, with a splendid view of the Gulf of Manfredonia. The next descent will take us to Mattinata, the stage location. Dinner and overnight.

KM stage: 72

Difference in altitude: 1347

4th day: from Mattinata to Vieste

Mattinata is surrounded by Monte Sacro, known in ancient times as Monte Dodoneo, and Monte Saraceno where you can see the remains of a Bronze Age necropolis. The Faraglioni of Baia delle Zagare, the Vignanotica beach and the Mattinatella beach are wonders of nature and it is in these places that today we will cycle towards Vieste, on a panoramic road on the cliff that laps the Umbra Forest and the sea. Arrival in Vieste for a visit to the wonderful village. Dinner and overnight.

KM stage: 44

Difference in altitude: 993

5th day: from Vieste to Torre Mileto

Vieste is the city located further east of the entire Gargano Promontory, in an isolated position with respect to the other Gargano centers, a reason that in the past gave it the name "La Sperduta". A characteristic symbol of the city of Vieste is the famous Pizzomunno monolith, which rises to a height of 25 m close to the "del Castello" beach, south of the Punta di San Francesco. We take the road that climbs towards the Umbra Forest which we will coast towards Peschici. It is difficult to describe the rare beauty of this Gargano forest (Foresta Umbra) which looks like a paradise: beeches, pines, maples, chestnuts, and many other varieties of plants stand out straight towards the sky and, in some places, the sun penetrates effort, the forest is so dense. Its varied fauna population of fawns, fallow deer, foxes, hares, wild boars and all sorts of birds, fills the obsequious silence of the forest with a thousand verses. After Peschici we will travel along the Gargano coast where it is possible to admire the ancient watchtowers and the famous trabucchi. The term "trabucco" is dialectal, most likely deriving from the Latin "trabs-trabis", that is "wood" or "beam". Arrival in Torre Mileto after Rodi Garganico and the suggestive passage between the sea and the lake of Varano. Dinner and overnight.

KM stage: 66

Difference in altitude: 816

6th day: from Torre Mileto to Termoli

Torre Mileto beach is a long stretch of fine golden sand that between the lakes of Lesina and Varano overlooks the crystalline sea of ​​the Adriatic. Today we pedal on the way back. Further suggestive passage to the sea and Lake Lesina and its natural reserve, Between cormorants, hawks and egrets, Lake Lesina overlooks the Adriatic Sea, nestled between the Tavoliere delle Puglie and the Gargano promontory, to resume the road of the return up to Campomarino then to Termoli for the dinner at the end of the tour in the ancient village of Termoli. Overnight.

KM stage: 53

Difference in altitude: 150

7th day: Departure

After breakfast at the hotel, return to your destinations.