Bike Tour: Campania: Cilento National Park short break - 5 days

After the train journey we are transferred to the welcoming bike hotel accommodation in San Severino di Centola, a small village at the foot of Monte Bulgheria, inside the Cilento National park, part of UNESCO sites from 1998.

Today’s ride leads us to the village of Palinuro, the mythical helmsman of Enea that fell in love with the siren Kamaraton (Camerota) and drowned near the cape for divine will. We continue along the jagged coastline to the medieval hilltop village of Pisciotta, famous for olive oil and sardines; after lunch we continue along the coastal road surrounded by olive groves and Mediterranean macchia towards Ascea. After a good coffee we descend to Marina di Ascea, a tranquil village on the seaside home for the next two nights, ready for the Aperitivo!

 40 km, 700m ascent, 600m descent

Cycling along the coastline we pass by the small fishing village of Pioppi. Later we stop at the village of Acciaroli: here in 1952 Ernest Hemingway spent some holydays and some says it was inspired to write his novel “The old man and the sea”. We ride inside the beautiful Mediterranean macchia of Punta Licosa to end up to the village of Santa Maria di Castellabbate, a gem along the coast, where we can sample the excellent Cilento wines Fiano and Aglianico. We cycle around the protected maritime area of Punta Tresino to reach our final stop, Agropoli.

60 km, 800m ascent, 750m descent 

After breakfast we ride 12km to the Greek Archaeological site of Paestum, where we visit the temples and the forum. The Museum contains the precious fresco of the “Tomba del tuffatore” (Diver’s tomb), a rare example of Greek funeral painting. The loop ride continues through the plain of the Sele river, with an optional lunch stop at a local Buffalo Mozzarella farm, called Il Tempio. An optional ride can take you uphill to the hills or you can just relax and spend a few hours at the beach or exploring the maze of the old town.

25/50 km, 150/650m ascent, 150/650m descent 

The trip and our services end after breakfast. You can catch a train from Agropoli Train Station.