Leave your car, get on a bike and discover the amazing bike path of the Alta Murgia. Follow these 3 Green Itineraries to visit hidden jewels that you did not expect.
Apulia is a territory rich of surprises to discover, and quite often to admire these territories it is necessary to make alternative trips, forgetting about the existence of the car and any other transport with an engine, following amazing bike paths.
The Alta Murgia is the geographical area that includes the municipality of Bari, Barletta-Andria-Trani and Taranto. This territory allows its visitors to appreciate the wonders and the beauties that it offers, thanks to the possibility of enjoying the holidays just using your bike, having the chance of exploring places that are reachable only through cycle paths.
Cesare Vernotico, the President of the National Park of the Alta Murgia has recently released an interview in which he suggests the visitors make a slow trip so that they might have the chance to appreciate every single detail that is worth the visit in this amazing place.
We suggest three cycling itineraries to live a unique experience.
The paths are viable by mountain bike, because of the characteristics of the territory. Nevertheless, you will also find paths that can be done by touristic bikes.
1. Biking from Serra Cecibizzo to Castel del Monte
10.2 km long, it will take two hours and a half to cycle along it. But we suggest you take more time for yourself and dedicate your excursion to the beauty of the landscapes in which you will be immersed, once you reach the huge Mediterranean meadow that will accompany you during your trip.
You have to go on the Highway 170 direction Andria, once you will be near Castel del Monte you will have the possibility to visit the typical pine forest and the fortress from the XIII century, built by the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire Federick II, on the top of a hill. The castle is famous for its octagonal plan, with a tower for each edge. The castle has also been added to the list of the Italian National Monuments and the UNESCO World Heritage.
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- Castel del Monte, via Flickr
If you are interested in visiting the castle, here you have further information.
How to get here: by car, from the highway A16 (Bari-Napoli), exit Andria-Barletta S.S. 170 for 18 km and follow the directions to Andria-Barletta. Once you reach Serra Cecibizzo you can start cycling the bike path.
Recommended period: all year round, but you should avoid the hottest days of July and August.
2. The Apulian trulli path
From Castel del Monte you can continue cycling on the bike path that will lead you to San Magno, 19 km away.
Following this route, you will admire some Apulian trulli, conical structures made by dry stones. Back in the time these trulli were used as houses for the peasants that worked in the fields. The trulli, along with the Castel del Monte, belong to the UNESCO World Heritage since December 1996.
Continue cycling, you will admire the beauty of the Mediterranean scrub, but overall the huge olive fields where the famous Apulian olive oil is cultivated and made. Some kilometers after you will find the well-known bike path of the Apulian Aqueduct, a biking route 500 km long that follows the paths of two historical conducts of the Apulian Aqueduct, finishing in Santa Maria di Leuca (LE) with a wonderful waterfall recently restored.
How to get here: from Castel del Monte you have to go towards San Magno.
Recommended period: all year round, avoiding the hottest days of July and August.
3. From Torre dei Guardiani to Canale del Pidocchio on a bike
Doing this path you will find two different landscapes: the first part will be characterized by field of almond trees and arable crops, so cereals and vegetables; after that you will find a dirt road that goes along typical dry stone walls that will be the main characters, along with the olive trees, of this rural landscape.
How to get here: by car, form the highway A14, exit Trani towards SP238 following the directions for Corato/Ruvo di Puglia/Gravinia di Puglia/ Altamura and from here you may start your itinerary.
Recommended period: all year round, avoiding the hottest days of July and August.
Cycle paths itineraries, via http://ciclovie.parcoaltamurgia.it
Before starting your trip, download the maps for your itineraries right here
Cover Image: via Flickr
