Adriatic Cycle Route: discovering Puglia Paths

The cycling paths that cross Puglia are many and all to explore. Today we will discover together the Adriatic Cycle Route, one of the most beautiful and evocative routes of the Italian national cycle network.

But let’s start from the beginning. The Adriatic Cycle Route, also known as the Green Adriatic Corridor, is a long cycling route that runs along the riviera that bears the same name and passes through seven Italian regions connecting Trieste to Santa Maria di Leuca. Much of the itinerary is on secondary roads with little traffic that guarantees a very pleasant ride and breathtaking views.

The Adriatic Cycle Route: brief information

The route, included in the Italian national cycle network, is about 1300 km long and is still being expanded and developed.

As already mentioned, this itinerary allows  to retrace the ancient streets of “Via dell’Ambra”, passing through seven Italian regions: Friuli Venezia Giulia, Veneto, Emilia Romagna, Marche, Abruzzo, Molise, Puglia.

The main character of the Adriatic Cycle Route is the sea, which will keep us company during all the various stages.

In this article we will learn about the Apulian stretch of the Adriatic Cycle Route, whitch is full of a variety of landscapes ready to be discovered. Find out why this itinerary is perfect for your cycling holidays in Italy

Apulian path of Adriatic cycle route

The route, more than 500 km long, will lead us to discover fascinating cities rich of history, fairy-tale villages, breathtaking coastal stretches and above all an expanse of centuries-old olive trees.

The first landscape that Puglia shows us along the Adriatic Cycle Route is a fascinating picture of  Tavoliere plain, with its flat, sunny territory and several villages perched on modest hills.

But you just have to look at the horizon to note the promontory of the Gargano to the east and the mountains of Daunia to the west.

After passing Lesina and the lake of Varano, the Gargano shows us all the wonders of its breathtaking views made of a continuous alternation of sandy coasts, hills full of lush vegetation and bare karst-like fields. All surrounded by faraglioni and islets standing out in the middle of the sea.

From Manfredonia, and its historical testimonies, we resume our journey to discover the Adriatic Cycle Route passing through the salt pans of Margherita di Savoia, up to the gates of Trinitapoli, where to visit the hypogea still rich in mystery is a must.

In the province of Barletta Andria Trani, we head towards the Ofanto river.

From here on the whole route of the Adriatic Cycle Route will develop along the SS16 and the various promenades of the large centers of the northern and southern areas of Bari.

From Barletta onwards the Cathedrals’ path opens on the sea and it will culminate in the superb S. Nicola di Bari and the dominant elements of the landscape will be the Federician castles and churches with the typical Apulian Romanesque style.

The 30 kilometers of  Bari’s seafront will offer us a sequential view of the city, like it would be in an old movie, with the marinas of the colorful seaside villages, the old town with the wall, the “borgo murattiano” and the coastal towns of S. Giorgio and Torre a Mare.

You pay a visit to the city of Mola di Bari with its recently restored seafront.

From here we can reach the beautiful Polignano a Mare with its houses perched above the sea

Continuing the coast we find Monopoli, the last big center of the province of Bari, where it will be possible to stop and explore the city and to have the opportunity to visit its hinterland with two worldwide renowned sites, such as the Trulli of Alberobello and the Caves of Castellana.

We continue our journey entering the lands of Brindisi through the remains of the Roman city of Egnazia.

After Brindisi we cross the countryside between the highway and the sea to enter the land of Lecce along secondary roads lined with olive trees that seem to have been made just be pedaled on.

Reconnect with the sea at San Cataldo to finally visit Lecce, Otranto and various natural reserves such as the Alimini Lakes, the reserve of “Le Cesine” and then finally to Santa Maria di Leuca, the final stage of the Adriatic Cycle Route.

Our Adriatic Cycle Tour: 3 days in the heart of Puglia

We at Puglia Cycle Tours recommend you our “personal” Adriatic Cycle Route tour.

A short three-day bike tour with segments between 40 and 50 km and paths of diffrent levesl of difficulty, suitable even for less experienced cyclists.

It starts and arrives respectively in Bari and Brindisi, two of the most beautiful Apulian cities on the Adriatic, both with international airport and comfortable accommodation facilities.

We will ride along discoverying several cities facing the Adriatic. The first stop is Bari and its church of San Nicola and then  the amenities of Mola di Bari, Polignano a Mare and Monopoli, each and everyone rich with history and ancient traditions.

On the second day we will appreciate all the charm of Monopoli and its countryside enriched by expanses of ancient olive trees and then arrive in Savelletri where you can visit the excavations of the ancient Roman city of Egnazia.

The third day is dedicated to the discovery of the white city of Ostuni and its historical center of stone and lime and then return to the sea to visit the protected oasis of Torre Guaceto where sea and land meet in an explosion of pure beauty.

Here at Puglia Cycle Tours we are specialized in cycling holidays within this fantastic region. You can find out all the details of our Adriatic Cycle Tours on the dedicated page or contact us for customized solutions.We are experts in creating and managing individual and group tours. For experienced cyclists or even beginners.