Day 1: Capaccio Paestum (6.5 km)
Arrival at the 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 kilometers from the hotel, while your luggage will be transported to the hotel. Before enjoying your Cilento bike tour, you can start stretching your legs a bit and go for an introductory short bike ride. Crossing the Sele River plain, you will arrive at the ancient walls that delimited the Greek city of Paestum and finally to the Temples, where a visit is a must. Those who have more time can go to the beach for a dip and some relaxation in view of the first real bike ride tomorrow. Dinner at the hotel with typical products.
Day 2: Paestum and surroundings (33 – 65.5 km)
The first stage of your Cilento bike tour will take you to discover the ancient Greek city of Paestum and its surroundings. You can choose between two options, an easier and relaxing one and the other more challenging, which will take you to explore ancient medieval villages, with breathtaking views of the entire coast. If you haven't already done so, before leaving you can visit the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the adjacent museum. Inside the latter, there is a collection of prehistoric utensils, vases from ancient Greece, and sculptures from the Roman era. Don't miss the famous Tomb of the Diver, a rare example of figurative funerary painting from 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, roads, spas, fountains, and what remains of the majestic entrance gate to the city. For lunch, we suggest you stop at one of the many dairies where you can taste mozzarella and fresh typical products. The bike tour continues in the Sele Valley, passing by the karst spring of Capo di Fiume, and ending in Giungano and Cicerale. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 3: Paestum – San Marco di Castellabate (40.5 km)
After breakfast, you will start discovering the most authentic Cilento. You will cross the Mediterranean scrub, under the shade of centuries-old olive trees, up the hills until you reach the ancient village of Agropoli. From here, passing through magnificent medieval villages, you will return along the coast to San Marco di Castellabate. Setting off directly from your hotel, you will follow the road that will lead you to Prignano and Torchiara, located on lush slopes that descend towards the Cilento coast. Here you can refill your water bottles and take a stroll, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of the village. From Torchiara you will continue your bike ride to Laureana and Vatolla, where a visit to the ancient Vargas Palace is a must. The return road is all downhill to your hotel in San Marco di Castellabate. Along this stretch of road you can admire one of the most beautiful views of the entire Cilento bike tour: on your right Punta Tresino, while on the left Santa Maria di Castellabate. The last stretch of road will take you to San Marco di Castellabate, famous for its small port and craftsmen, who carry on an ancient centuries-old tradition: they hand-build wooden boats. Once back at the hotel, you can choose whether to go by bike or on foot to the Punta Licosa Marine Reserve, or take a walk for an aperitif in one of the many bars in the town center.
Day 4: San Marco di Castellabate and Monte Stella (65 km)
Today's stage of your journey through Cilento by bike begins with a fairly challenging climb in the old part of Castellabate, which was once a real fortress. After a brief visit to the medieval castle, from which you can enjoy a splendid view of San Marco and Santa Maria, you will return to the saddle to continue towards Perdifumo and Mercato Cilento, from where the circular route around Monte Stella begins. Along the way, you will enjoy breathtaking scenery, with a view as far as the eye can see reaching the Amalfi Coast and Capri, and on clearer days, even as far as Sicily. During this bike ride, you will cross the charming villages of Celso, Galdo, Stella Cilento, San Mauro, and Rocca Cilento. Dedicate some time to each of them and enjoy the tranquility and authenticity of these places. The road will take you through a chestnut forest, with some views of the interior of Cilento, up to admire the chain of the Alburni and Cervati mountains. At the end of the bike ride, you can choose to return to San Marco via Castellabate or opt for a slightly longer road, which passes through Agnone, a picturesque fishing village. Once back at the hotel, you can choose whether to go for a swim or just relax before dinner. To conclude the day, there's nothing better than ice cream by the sea and a walk on the harbor.
Day 5: San Marco di Castellabate – Ceraso (57.5 km)
Today you will leave San Marco to head south, along the river Alento coast. A short climb, through the Mediterranean scrub and pine woodlands, will take you to the so-called Ripe Rosse. From here, you can reach Acciaroli, where, in 1952, Ernest Hemingway, spent his holidays and according to many, found inspiration for his novel The Old Man and the Sea. If you are lucky, you may also be able to hear some stories from the older locals who met him. After a visit and a walk in Acciaroli, you will get back on the bike heading for Pioppi. Here you will find an interesting museum in which the marine habitat typical of the Cilento coasts is reproduced. This little village is also known for being the cradle of the Mediterranean diet and having hosted the American researcher Ancel Keys, the father of the diet. After visiting the museum you can continue to cycle towards Casalvelino Marina. Along the way, you can stop to visit the archaeological site of Velia. Here walked great philosophers of the Eleatic school, such as Parmenides and Zeno, and the first Medical school in Europe originated. Alternatively, you can postpone the visit and enjoy some sea and beach. From Casalvelino Marina, following the banks of the Alento river, you will reach Pattano, a small village with a beautiful medieval abbey. From here you have various options that lengthen or shorten your route to reach the farmhouse. Whichever road you choose will meet up with a last piece, alternating expanses of centuries-old olive trees and vineyards, up to a majestic oak forest, that will take you to the entrance of the La Petrosa farmhouse, for dinner.
Day 6: Ceraso – Pisciotta – Ascea – Ceraso (45.5 km)
Today's stage of your Cilento bike tour will take you to discover untouched places: Ceraso, Pisciotta, and Ascea. These are places not very frequented by tourists, even in the busiest periods. You can enjoy empty streets, accompanied by the typical atmosphere of these places. From the farmhouse, you can reach Ceraso, an ancient medieval village full of historical palaces. After a short walk and a coffee in the square bar, you will continue in the shade of the lush chestnut and beech trees, until you reach Santa Barbara, Mandia, and Rodio. From here begins the descent towards the coast, passing through expanses of olive trees with views ranging from Monte Stella to the south, to Capo Palinuro. A brief deviation will take you to Pisciotta, where you can leave your bikes and take a walk in the medieval center of the village. For lunch, the town offers several possibilities to taste local specialties. From Pisciotta, you will continue north, first to Ascea and then to Velia. If you did not visit the excavations you can do so today. Among the remains, 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 Adrian Baths, where various environments of the calidarium, the frigidarium room, and the Agorà are visible. From Velia, you return to the farmhouse in Ceraso for dinner.
Day 7: Ceraso – Piaggine (54 km)
Today's stage will take you to discover the authentic heart of Cilento by bike, between Mount Gelbison and Cervati. From the farmhouse, you cross Ceraso one last time. The road is all uphill and the small villages along the way, will be excellent points to catch your breath and refresh yourself with a good coffee. After passing Vallo della Lucania, one of the largest towns in Cilento, you proceed to Moio della Civitella, where you can visit the ruins of the ancient pre-Hellenic city. From the small church located on top of the hill, you can admire a breathtaking panorama with a view of Cilento. Continuing the climb you arrive at Gioi, a village famous for soppressata, a specialty you must try. Continuing towards Magliano Nuova, you will reach the Calore river, one of the few in Italy where you can still spot some European otters. Right afterward, you will meet Laurino, located at the foot of a towering gorge formed by the erosion of the Calore river's water. Take a walk in the historic center, through narrow alleys that will lead you to the castle overlooking the town. From here, a final short stretch of road will take you to the farmhouse in Piaggine for dinner.
Day 8: from Piaggine to Paestum: Sacco, Roscigno Vecchia and Castelcività (71 km)
The last leg of your Cilento bike tour will immerse you in Greek culture. You will leave behind the typical rural landscape of Piaggine, to immerse yourself in the beauties of the ancient Greek city of Paestum. You will cross landscapes of incomparable natural, historical, and artistic beauty. After a short initial uphill stretch, the road starts to become gentler until you reach Sacco, before imposing limestone walls that give life to the Sammaro gorges, not far from the town center. Continuing your bike ride you will arrive at Roscigno. The center of the town, Roscigno Vecchia, nicknamed 20th-century Pompeii, definitely deserves a visit. Here time seems to have stopped, since the town was abandoned in the early 1900s and was never repopulated. After a brief visit you will continue through the Calore river valley to Corleto, and from here, you will reach S. Angelo a Fasanella. Before continuing visit the suggestive Church of San Michele, built into the rock around the 11th century. The excursion continues towards Castelcivita. The most daring can test themselves with a detour of a few kilometers that will take you to the Alburni Mountains plateau. Once you reach Castelcivita, take some time to visit the caves which, with their 4800 m length, are one of the most extensive speleological complexes in southern Italy. After visiting the caves, the road will take you to the small village of Controne, famous for bean production. Today's excursion ends in Paestum. Not far from the hotel is the archaeological area: we recommend a last walk along the avenue that runs along the temples. Dinner is free with various choices available.
Day 9: Paestum
After breakfast, end of services.
On request, it is possible to organize a private transfer to Naples, Salerno, or other destinations.
Campania
242km
9 days
