Abruzzo stretches from the Adriatic coast to the mountains of the Abruzzo Apennines. The Gran Sasso d'Italia mountain massif reaches an altitude of almost 3,000 metres. The region is famous for its breathtaking scenery, which can be admired in three national parks and one regional park.
Tour tip: The jewels of the Trabocchi coast
Fishermen's huts with a jetty on stilts are typical of the southern Italian Adriatic coast. These "trabocchi" are also known in German as "Fischergalgen" or "Fischwaage". Since the Middle Ages, trabocchi have been built along stretches of coastline where large shoals of fish pass by due to the sea currents. From the trabocchi, fishermen cast huge nets and were able to pull them up again relatively easily. The trabocchi were built from robust robinia and chestnut wood and the individual components are only connected by ropes. These huts are mainly found along a stretch of coastline in Abruzzo, which is why it is known as the Costa dei Trabocchi. Many of them are now used as exclusive fish restaurants.
Tour description
- Start/finish: Ortona
- Length km: 72.2
- Average gradient: 4.5 %
- Maximum gradient: 16 %
- Difficulty: medium
- Difference in altitude: 297 m
The starting point of the "Jewels of the Trabocchi Coast" route is Ortona, where the impressive Costa dei Trabocchi begins. This stretches all the way to Vasto. The long coastline changes its appearance after an initial stretch of wide sandy beaches in the north (in the districts of Foro, Lido Riccio and Lido dei Saraceni). It becomes a succession of bays, cliffs and promontories with lush Mediterranean vegetation facing the sea.
Ortona is situated on a hill and offers a breathtaking panorama from the "Passeggiata Orientale" (Eastern Circular Route). Sights include the Palazzo Farnese, the Castello Aragonese, the churches of Santa Maria delle Grazie and della Santissima Trinità, the cathedral and the church of San Tommaso, dedicated to St Thomas the Apostle. There are also many museums to visit. From Ortona, the journey continues to the village of Poggiofiorito, which welcomes visitors at the entrance to the village with a beautiful town garden with cedars. The 16th century Fonte Santa Maria, where peasant women washed their laundry until the second half of the 20th century, and the church of San Matteo are also worth a visit.
After eight kilometres, you reach Lanciano, an important municipality in the province of Chieti with a thousand-year history. Here you will find the sanctuary of the Miracolo Eucaristico, which preserves the oldest Eucharistic miracle of the Catholic Church.
Don't miss the churches of S. Maria Maggiore and S. Agostino, with their beautiful portals, the Aragonese Tower and the Diocletian's Bridge. Culinary tip: the local speciality "Rintrocilo" - a handmade "spaghetto" with a square cross-section, which is served with sheep sauce or mutton ragout.
The journey continues to Fossacesia, which is situated on a hill in the heart of the Costa dei Trabocchi and offers a marvellous view of the Adriatic Sea.
The Cistercian basilica of San Giovanni in Venere and the rocky coast of Punta Cavalluccio are places of interest on the rest of the cycle tour. This stretch of coast is particularly characteristic due to its many well-preserved trabocchi. After another 15 kilometres you reach San Vito Chietino. The village, described by D'Annunzio as the "town of brooms", is situated on a rocky outcrop. The panorama stretches from the Majella to the Gargano and the Tremiti Islands.
This rugged stretch of coast is characterised by the Promontorio del Turchino ("Turchino promontory"). The region owes its reputation above all to the very clear sea, in which the intense colours of the sky are reflected. The "Trabocco del Turchino" is one of the best-preserved fishing platforms in the area.
Via Verde Costa dei Trabocchi: cycle path with great views right on the coast
The traffic-free cycle path, which stretches for 42 kilometres along the coast between Ortona and Vasto, offers spectacular views of the Adriatic Sea and the Trabocchi. In addition to the cycle path, there is also a pedestrian path so that hikers can also benefit from the Via Verde. The route passes through 9 municipalities, including Rocca San Giovanni, where one of the most beautiful sections of the entire route can be found. A bronze statue of Christ (the Cristo degli Abissi) has stood in the waters of the Vallevò district since 1994 at a depth of around 4 metres. On the shore, a twin statue adorns the place to give the inhabitants the opportunity to worship Christ. In 2023, Fossacesia Marina was the starting point of the Giro d'Italia. The first 19.6-kilometre individual time trial ran along the Costa dei Trabocchi to Ortona. You can find more information about the Via Verde here.
GPS data for the cycle tour "Jewels of the Trabocchi Coast"
The "Jewels of the Trabocchi Coast" tour first leads into the hinterland towards Poggiofiorito and Lanciano. The final section from Fossacesia to Ortona runs mainly along the coast on the Via Verde cycle path with views of the sea and the famous Trabocchi.
The GPX track for the tour is available in the MYBIKE-Collection on komoot.
Event tip: Art Bike & Run + Wine
In summer, the "Art Bike & Run + Wine" event takes place in Fossacesia. It is an event centred around nature, food and wine, sport and art in the beautiful landscape of the Costa dei Trabocchi.
"Art Bike & Run + Wine" is an international event supported by Legambiente Italia. It takes place on the Costa dei Trabocchi, part of the Via Verde (also known as the "Green Way"), which was built on a disused railway line. This cycle and footpath stretches for 42 kilometres and connects Ortona with San Salvo. From here, more than 300 kilometres of cycle paths lead off through the picturesque vineyards.
"Art Bike & Run + Wine" organises various events and activities for the whole family over a period of three days. These include guided (culinary) bike tours and street art. There is also the opportunity to sample typical Abruzzo food and wine.
The venue is the ABR Village at the former railway station in Fossacesia Marina.
More info at artbikeandrun.it
General information under www.italia.it/en and under abruzzoturismo.it/en/
Barbara Merz-Weigandt
Editor-in-Chief
