Bourbon Bicycle Route (source: Visual Puglia ) This itinerary proposes the best route for tourists on two wheels who wish to pedal from Bari to Naples. The objective is to immediately begin monitoring the territory of Puglia, Basilicata, and Campania in terms of cyclability without putting off the opportunity of crossing these extraordinarily promising regions while cycling, thereby joining in with the practice of sustainable tourism so common throughout the rest of Europe. In a few words, the route unites Bari, Bitetto, Ruvo, Castel del Monte and Minervino in the region of Puglia. It continues into Basilicata via Venosa, Melfi, Rapolla, Atella, Ruvo del Monte, and Pescopagano (crossroads). In Campania, the route covers Sant'Andrea di Conza, Lioni, and Avellino Nola, arriving in Naples after a total of 334 kilometres. The intention was to trace a route that was also efficient in moving from Bari to Naples, so not much longer than an ordinary route, and that would bring the cycling tourist to discover the beauty of the territory being crossed while keeping his final destination in mind. This bicycle route winds almost entirely along roads open to vehicular traffic but, in holding true to reference criteria that inspired other guidebooks produced by the FIAB, the utmost attention was paid to selecting pleasant roads to be cycled, so with little traffic, reasonable hills, and interesting landscapes. In spite of the growing demand and efforts of a few who have understood the importance of similar infrastructures, bicycle routes and bicycle-pedestrian routes closed to vehicle traffic are still almost inexistent in the territory covered by this bicycle route. The Puglia stretch consists of a dense network of paved secondary roads, like rural or municipal roads, that are usually in good condition, allowing us to propose an itinerary that sees truly little vehicles traffic but is rich in history and features landscapes that are especially representative of this region. These roads are often lacking indications, other than the name of the street or the district, and particular care was taken to describe the route, sometimes by relying on the indications of distance given by the cyclecomputer.
Murge are composed of rectangular-shaped calcareous tableland marked by the Ofanto river, the 'Messapi threshold', Basilicata and Adriatic Sea. Murge territory is partially protected through the homonymous park. It encloses an astonishing variety of landscapes: caves, sanctuaries, defensive strongholds, churches and rock settlements, small towns and big cities. Coastal cities such as Bari, Mola, Polignano offer tourists a right mix of limpid waters, beautiful beaches and an extremely wide historic as well as artistic panorama. On the contrary, in the northern part of the region Andria and Altamura attract tourists with their history and rich food heritage.
The Adriatic Coast of Bari territory is characterized by several cities overlooking the coast with their medieval centers. Apulian capital stands ashore with its Castle, close to smaller cities which allow spending beautiful, relaxing vacations at close touch with history
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Northern Murge are characterized by evocative Medieval towns, small fortified villages where that defended populations during invasions. Andria is famous for Castel del Monte, with its classical octagonal layout, built by Frederick II as hunting manor. Altamura makes a bread that puts together the fragrance of wheat and color of the Apulian sun
Project created in collaboration with InnovaPuglia.
Regione Puglia
Regione Puglia