Day 1: Paestum/Capaccio (6.5 km)
Individual arrival at Paestum station and transfer to the hotel. The bikes will be delivered directly to the hotel. Alternatively, you can pick them up at our shop a few miles from the hotel, while your luggage will be transported to the hotel. Before starting your Cilento bike tour, stretch your legs with a short first bike ride. Crossing the Sele river plain, you can reach the ancient walls that delimited the Greek city of Paestum and finally, the Temples, where a visit is a must. Those with more time available can reach the beach for a dip and a bit of relaxation in view of the first real bike ride tomorrow. Dinner at the hotel featuring local products.
Day 2: Paestum, plateau and hills (33/65.5 km)
The first leg of your journey through the Cilento by bike will take you to the ancient Greek city of Paestum and its surroundings. You can choose between two route options: an easier and relaxing one and a more challenging one, which will take you to explore ancient medieval villages, with breathtaking views over the entire coast. If you have not already done so, before departure you can visit the archaeological site of Paestum, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the attached museum. Inside is a collection of prehistoric tools, vases from ancient Greece and Roman era sculptures. Don't miss the famous Tomba del Tuffatore, a rare example of funeral figurative painting dating back to Magna Graecia. In addition to the three temples and the amphitheater, there are the tomb of the city's founding hero and some remains of houses, streets, baths, fountains and what remains of the majestic city entrance. For lunch, we recommend stopping at one of the many dairies, where you can taste mozzarella and fresh typical products. The Cilento bike tour continues through the Sele Valley, passing from the karst spring of Capo di Fiume, to reach Giungano and Cicerale. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 3: Paestum – Marina di Casalvelino (40.5 km)
After breakfast, your adventure exploring Cilento by bike continues: you will cross the Mediterranean scrub, in the shade of century-old olive trees, then up the hills, until you reach the ancient village of Agropoli. From here, passing through magnificent medieval villages, you will return along the coast at Santa Maria and San Marco di Castellabate. From here you continue along the coast heading South, along one of the most beautiful coastal stretches in Italy. A short climb through the Mediterranean scrub and pine forests will take you to the so-called Ripe Rosse. From here you can reach Acciaroli where, in 1952, Ernest Hemingway spent his holidays and, as many say, found inspiration for his novel The Old Man and the Sea. After a visit and a walk in Acciaroli, you get back on the saddle towards Pioppi. Here you will find an interesting museum in which the marine habitat characteristic of the Cilento coasts is reproduced. This small village is also known for being the cradle of the Mediterranean Diet and having hosted the American researcher Ancel Keys, father of this diet. A final short stretch of road will take you to Casalvelino Marina, where you will stay for the next two nights. Tonight's dinner is based on local products strictly at zero kilometers.
Day 4: circular tour of Monte Stella and the medieval villages (65 km)
Today's excursion begins with a rather demanding climb towards the slopes of Monte Stella, until you reach a small village called Acquavella. From here the ascent continues towards Stella Cilento and Omignano, where the road begins to soften and the Monte Stella loop itinerary begins. Whatever the direction of your gaze, this place will give you unforgettable views. You will cross several villages until you reach the north side of the mountain, from where a spectacular view of Capri and the Amalfi Coast opens up. Celso, Galdo, San Mauro, Stella Cilento are the villages you will cross along the way. Dedicate some time to each of them and enjoy the tranquility and authenticity of these charming villages of Cilento. At the end of the day you will return to Casalvelino via Pollica. For those who wish, it is possible to lengthen the bike ride by passing through Acciaroli again, for a dip or a drink by the sea. At the end of the day, another delicious dinner awaits you at the farmhouse.
Day 5: Casalvelino – Cape Palinuro (57.5 km)
Just outside Casalvelino, the road that runs along the Alento river, will take you to the archaeological site of Velia. Here lived great philosophers of the Eleatic school such as Parmenides and Zeno and the first medical school in Europe was born. Leave your bikes at the entrance and visit this place full of history. Among the ruins you will find the first example of the use of the vault in Greek architecture, the so-called Porta Rosa. Other points of interest are the Terme Adrianee, where various rooms of the calidarium, the frigidarium room, and the Agora are visible. After the visit, the excursion continues uphill to Ascea. The road passes through a stretch of Mediterranean scrub and ancient olive trees, all with a fantastic view of the sea. Around lunchtime you will arrive in Pisciotta, where you can stop for a break based on typical products, in one of the village restaurants. Fortunately, you go downhill again and, in no time, you will reach Cape Palinuro, the most famous promontory of all Cilento, named after Aeneas' helmsman who died falling asleep at the wheel of his ship. The panorama you will enjoy alternates high mountain spurs overlooking the sea, and caves embedded in the rock. Among these, the one that definitely deserves a visit is the Blue Grotto. From here you could decide to take a ride around the town, or a boat trip to visit the caves along the coast, take a walk in the harbor or a refreshing dip in the crystal clear waters of Palinuro. Once you arrive at the hotel, for dinner you are free to choose from one of the many restaurants in the town.
Day 6: Palinuro – Marina di Camerota – Monte Bulgheria – Palinuro (45 km)
After a hearty breakfast, today's bike ride will begin with a first flat section, then the climb begins! The panorama will more than reward your efforts, with breathtaking views of one of the most beautiful stretches of the Cilento bike tour, along the Costa degli Infreschi. You will cross the small village of Lentiscosa, until you reach San Giovanni a Piro, which will give you a spectacular view of the Gulf of Policastro. Here you can have your packed lunch or stop at one of the restaurants to taste the typical specialties of the place. The tour continues around Monte Bulgheria, with a first downhill part and then on the flat, through the villages of Bosco and Acquavena, leaving the imposing limestone walls of Monte Bulgheria to your left. After reaching the Mingardo river valley, you will continue for a brief visit to the fascinating village of Roccagloriosa, perched on the mountain. After a walk and a coffee in the village square, you will ride downhill to the entrance of the Mingardo river gorges, overlooked by the abandoned village of San Severino. From here you return to the coastal road until you arrive at the hotel.
Day 7: Palinuro
After breakfast, end of services.
Possibility to extend the stay.
A private driver will take you to the station from where you can reach Naples and Salerno.
Campania
308km
7 days