Bike Tour of Puglia from Matera to Lecce
Self-guided tour – 12 days
A bike tour to “get the whole picture” of Puglia – starting from its borders with neighbouring region Basilicata. You will start in Matera, the city of “Sassi” and UNESCO world heritage cite, and through the local canyons, the “gravine”, you will enter Puglia to discover, one pedal stroke after the other, its changing landscapes that flow from one beauty into the next. From Murgia to Salento: architectural and natural wonders, sites of immense historical and cultural interest, and of course, unsurpassable culinary specialties!
Itinerary
DAY 1: MATERA
Arrival in Matera and check-in. Take a day off to discover this unique town, Unesco World Heritage and European Culture capital of 2019. You will be caught by its thousand-year old history, the “Sassi” district and cave churches, and its famous bread!
DAY 2: MATERA
Welcome briefing and bike fit with a member of Puglia Cycle Tours crew.
DAY 3: MATERA – CASTELLANETA
+/- 60 km
The first stage runs almost entirely in the Ravines Regional Park, in the middle of wheat fields and wide panoramas. You will have the chance to visit the town of Laterza, famous for the tasty bakery products and the beautiful pottery. Enjoy your stay in Castellaneta.
+/- 550 meters of climbing
DAY 4: CASTELLANETA – PUTIGNANO
+/- 55 km
You still cycle the first kilometres in the “Terra delle Gravine” ( Ravines Land), amongst deep canyons, carved by rivers over millions of years. You will even cycle upon one of them, over a stone bridge! Leaving the ravines it’s time to discover the iconic Puglia scenery: dry stone walls, old masserie (fortified stansteads) and trulli, our typical rural houses with a conic roof, built without any cement or mortar. Your daily destination is Putignano, famous for hosting European oldest carnival.
+/- 650 meters of climbing
DAY 5: PUTIGNANO – ALBEROBELLO
+/- 35 km
Leaving the medieval centre of Putignano, cycle in the lush countryside to reach Castellana Caves after just a few kilometres. It is the main karst site in the South Italy: we do recommend to stop for a visit! After the caves, continue along the rolling lanes of the countryside where olive, almond, apricot and cherry trees grow, in their marvelous colours according to the season. The daily destination is a UNESCO heritage site: Alberobello, the world capital of Trulli.
+/- 400 meters of climbing
DAY 6: (LOOP) ALBEROBELLO
+/- 45 km
Let’s play a game: are you able to cover even a single stretch of the daily route without spotting a trullo? They are everywhere in the Itria Valley, the very heart of our region. Cycle along the Apulian Aqueduct cycling route, the “Ciclovia dell’Acquedotto”, towards Locorotondo, one of the “borghi più belli d’Italia” (most beautiful villages of Italy). Then before riding back to Alberobello, pass by the quaint town of Martina Franca, known for its baroque architecture
+/- 550 meters of climbing
DAY 7: ALBEROBELLO – MONOPOLI
+/- 45 km
It’s time to say goodbye to the lovely Alberobello and its trulli! You slowly ride down to the Adriatic coast and reach one of its most fascinating town: Polignano a Mare, perched on the side of a cliff; explore the old town and reach one of the terraces, with their stunning view overlookig the sea. Riding further on the coast, you get to Monopoli, a perfect mix between beautiful sea and history. Your accommodation is in the old town, a few steps away from the old fishermen port and the Castle.
+/- 300 meters of climbing
DAY 8: MONOPOLI – OSTUNI
+/- 40 km
Your today cycle starts through the courtyards and arches of the old town, then continues along shores and little coves, arriving in a marvelous scenario: an expanse full of century and thousand-year old olive trees. Little by little, you will spot a white outline amid the hills: it is Ostuni, known as “the white town” because of its whitewashed houses and walls. To perfectly end the day, indulge a stroll in its old town, a sort of Mediterranean Kasbah of narrow alleys and white stairs, getting lost in the light of sunset.
+/- 350 meters of climbing
DAY 9: OSTUNI – MARTANO
+/- 15+30 km
After a short ride by train from Carovigno station, you will reach Lecce, one of the most important cities of the South: take some time to explore the town! From Lecce, you cycle in the most authentic Salento countryside, passing through thefortified village of Acaya, dry-stone walls and imposing “pajare” (Salento typical “trulli”), until you reach Martano, a quiete and nice village where you will stay for the night.
+/- 200 meters of climbing
DAY 10: MARTANO – OTRANTO
+/- 45 km
It’s time to explore the most impressive part of the Salento area: centuries-old olive trees, the “Grotta della Poesia” (Cave of the Poetry), ranked among the 10 most spectacular natural pools in the world, impressive cliffs overlooking the sea, blue jewels which are the Alimini Lakes, and finally Otranto. This town will enchant you, thanks to the flavours of the Mediterranean Sea, its unique history, the feeling of a past which is not vanished yet. You will understand why it is listed in the UNESCO Cultural Heritage!
+/- 300 meters of climbing
DAY 11: OTRANTO – LECCE
+/- 55 km
This last stage is a postcard to say goodbye, but moreover a see you soon, to Puglia! From Otranto following the Idro Valley to discover Salento hinterland, where you will often come across some ancient megalithic monuments, the menhirs. Then you cycle along enchanting countryside lanes heading to the “Grecìa Salentina“, where you can still ear ancient greek influences. Lecce, with its elegant baroque old town, will be waiting for you at the end of the trip.
+/- 300 meters of climbing
DAY 12: LECCE
Breakfast, and end of services.
