Crossing the Majella National Park by bicycle
The Majella National Park by bicycle can be crossed from different paths. The one we're going to talk about goes north to south starting from a district of Abbateggio, just a few kilometers from San Valentino in Abruzzo Citeriore (province of Pescara) to end in the well known Pescocostanzo (province of L'Aquila), not far from Molise. Visiting the Majella National Park by bicycle is a marking experience, for the variety of panoramas you meet and for Nature apparently impenetrable which wraps the entire cycling itinerary and bringing bicycle travelers into a surreal sort of world...
Pedal in Val Giumentina
Follow the signs of the offroad Itinerary 7 towards Contrada Riga. You could be warmly welcomed by the white sheepdogs living in the courts in this plain: proceed with caution, and get off the bike to push it, without getting too close to the sheep. From Riga, you follow the itinerary towards the SR487 meters you reach the road on the torrente Orfento.From Caramanico Terme to San Leonardo Pass
Campo di Giove and the old "Italian transiberian"
At the Palena station, after some kilometers without any houses or villages, you reach the Forchetta Pass, above Palena, which leads on the SR84 towards Pescocostanzo. Pescocostanzo is situated just higher than the statal road, but it appears already from the SR84 at the horizon. The village deserves a visit, maybe with a pit-stop at a cafe, to have a chat about brigands and the legends of the Appennine.
- Val Giumentina on your bike
- Trekking in Valle dell'Orfento
- The majestic panorama on the Majella from San Valentino in Abruzzo Citeriore
- Cheese tasting in the cheese factories in Sant'Eufemia a Majella
- The beautiful views of the Majella National Park
- Climbing to the San Leonardo Pass
- A night under the stars in Pescocostanzo
- How to reach the national park of Majella? You can reach the Majella national park by bike cycling from Scafa station (reachable from Pescara by train) or from L'Aquila station, that is more distant. To return to the starting point you can travel on TUA bus.
- The itinerary is signposted? No, the itinerary of the Majella crossing is not signposted and therefore I recommend you to download the gpx track
- Are there fountains or water sources in general? Along the itinerary there are several sources of water and fountains and there are plenty of bars and refreshment points to refuel..
- How is the quality of the roads of the Majella crossing by bike? The roads are generally in good condition, but the first part of the itinerary in Val Giumentina is on beaten dirt roads. It may happen that after rainy or snowy seasons the road surface presents cracks or hollows.
Where to sleep in the Majella National Park
When we crossed the Majella National Park we stayed at two different places: the first just outside of the protected area and one at the end of our bicycle journey. In Contrada Colle di Gotte (municipality of Abbateggio), at the crossing with the beautiful Val Giumentina, you can find the holiday house Borgo Majella, a modern structure with many services among which you have the pool (Info: Tel. +39/3281644412 - +39/3498467285 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). Absolutely suggested in order to stop some days and explore the Majella National Park and the coast, impeccable hosting!
Where to eat in the Majella National Park
If you want some pizza in San Valentino in Abruzzo Citeriore the Pizzeria Garden cooks great pizzas to be consumed along with a fresh draft beer. In the city center of Caramanico Terme, maybe after trekking in Valle dell'Orfento, you can stop for lunch with typical panzerotti and small pizzas (incredibly good) at the entrance of the historical center at the Bar Pizzeria Caromonaco. If you fancy a good dinner with local products without spending too much and in great company, I can suggest Ristorante la Terrazza in Pescocostanzo.
- Majella national park: to have more information about the natural reserve
- Majellando : to visit the park woth a local guide
- Majambiente to organize trekking and outdoor activities with a local guide
- Abruzzo tourism:official website of the tourism in Abruzzo
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Francesco G
ITA - Ho 33 anni e sono piemontese, anche se da qualche anno vivo e lavoro in Lombardia. Dopo un inizio da totale inesperto in questo campo, mi sono avvicinato al mondo dei cicloviaggi e della bicicletta sempre più. Oggi posso definirmi "cicloviaggiatore", e assieme all'altra mia passione - il videomaking - non mi fermerei mai! Cyclo ergo sum, pedalo quindi sono, per cercare di capire perché andare in bici sia così bello, terapeutico, ricco... E ogni volta che provo a capirlo, non ce la faccio, e sono costretto a ripartire sui pedali!
ENG - I'm from Piedmont and I'm 33 years old, I have been living and working in Lombardy for a few years. After a start without any competence in this field, I then approached the bicycle world more and more. Today I can call myself a bicycle traveller and videomaker who would never ever stop. Cyclo ergo sum, I cycle therefore I am. I ride my bike trying to understand why it is so beautiful, rich, therapeutic. And every time I try, I do not understand it. So I must leave again...
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