Paestum & the Cilento National Park - Best Value Tour - BCILBV
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Paestum & the Cilento National Park. Cycling through one of Italy’s last unspoilt landscapes
7-day cycling tour with 4 different bases in beautiful hotels and agriturismo’s
The region of Campania has been known as a paradise on earth from ancient times on. The Greeks built some of their most impressive temples here and under the Romans it became known as ‘Campania Felix’ or the ‘Happy Land’. When travelling the region, one becomes overwhelmed by its wealth of cultural and natural attractions, from the great city of Naples to the well-known Costiera Amalfitana, with its towering cliffs and picturesque coves.
But Campania’s real secret is located south of Salerno. Here the coastline bulges out into an expanse of mountainous landmass known as the Cilento, now one of Italy’s biggest National Parks, with World Heritage listing. This is an area of amazing natural beauty, of uncontaminated rocky coasts lapped at by crystal clear water, and wild untamed forests covering high mountain peaks.
This tour brings you into the real ‘Heart of the Cilento’, from ancient Paestum up to the impressive Alburni Mountains and down to the pristine coast near Mount Stella again. Inland the Cilento is largely undisturbed by the 21st century and you will encounter few other tourists along your way. You will cycle along world famous cultural sites, through pristine natural areas and along dreamy coastal scenery. Your trip will take you on small country roads passing through rough mountain scenery as well as through attractive countryside, with vineyards and olive groves.
At the beginning of your tour you will pass through the archaeological site of Paestum on your way to a genuine mozzarella farm, and climb up to some nice view points on the coastal plain. You will then cycle on through the Calore Valley, located in the very heart of the Cilento National Park. Here you’ll visit some of the nicest medieval villages of the area, where the traditional way of life is still evident. And you’ll enjoy visiting some of the Cilento’s greatest (but unknown) cultural treasures, like the St. Michael’s cave church in Sant’Angelo a Fasanella, the ruins of Roscigno Vecchia and the castle of Laurino.
You then turn towards the coast again, passing through the rolling foot hills around lovely Ceraso, where you visit the Greek city of Velia. You then continue along the coast of Mount Stella, dotted by several typical medieval hamlets and tiny fisherman’s villages such as Acciaroli and Pioppi, on your way to San Marco di Castellabate. Here you have the time to explore the peninsula of Punta Licosa, and you can climb up to the medieval village of Castellabate with its imposing castle, offering wonderful views over the coast.
We are sure that during this tour you will learn to know and love the Cilento area, discovering its many natural and cultural treasures. Even more so you will be pleasantly surprised by the hospitality of its people, who will make you feel like a welcome guest.
Please note: this is a moderate tour which is suitable for all those who have some experience with bicycle touring and are in a good general physical condition. On some of the inland stretches you may encounter some steeper climbs.
Average cycling times: approx. 3-5 hours each day.
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Italy Cycling Holidays
Day 1
After arriving at the Paestum train station, located near the world-famous Temples of Paestum (UNESCO World Heritage), you can make a short walk (or take a taxi) to your hotel, where your bicycles will already be waiting for you. In case you have arrived early you can make a short trip past the temples and city walls of Greek Paestum, to visit the temples already today, leaving more time for the cycling trip tomorrow. You can also take your bikes to the beach for a quick dip before returning to the hotel.
Hotel *** – Paestum
Distance: 6,5 km. – Cycling time: 0,5 h. – Ascent & descent: +/- 30 m.
N.B. It is possible to include an extra night here. Descriptions for an extra ride will be provided.
Day 2
If you didn’t visit the archaeological site of Paestum yet, you should take your time to do so before leaving Paestum. Make sure you visit the museum as well, to admire the so-called ‘Tomba del Tuffatore’ (Diver’s Tomb), a unique example of Greek funeral painting. After your visit you then head East, cycling through the plain in the direction of Capaccio, passing by several mozzarella farms where you can see grazing buffaloes and taste fresh buffalo mozzarella. After a first climb up to Capaccio, you continue underneath the slopes of Monte Soprano to the charming village of Trentinara, spectacularly situated on top of a high near-vertical cliff, an amazing viewpoint over the plain and coast. After a short break for a coffee or a cappuccino, you pedal on along quiet roads, snaking through the lush countryside to the medieval villages of Monteforte Cilento and Magliano Vetere. Make sure to climb up to Magliano Nuovo – a challenging ride, rewarded by awesome views over the canyon of the Calore River. You then descend into the Calore Valley, cycle past the village of Felitto, with its nice old town and pass near the medieval bridge over the river, where you can walk through the impressive gorge. A last few km. bring you to your agriturismo. In the evening you eat a hearty dinner based on local specialities.
Agriturismo – Felitto
Distance: 66 km. – Cycling time: 5 h. – Ascent & descent: + 600 m./- 500 m.
Day 3
Today you have the choice of several different roundtrips exploring the Calore River valley. You can cycle to Castelcività for a visit to the impressive 5 km-long limestone caves. Or you could visit the church of St. Michael at Sant’Angelo a Fasanella, built inside a cave. You could wander through the abandoned village of Roscigno Vecchia, known as “the Pompeii of the 20th century”, and visit its small museum. You can also cycle to Sacco, situated underneath the high rock cliffs of the Cervati Mountains, and descend into the spectacular Sammaro Canyon. You might stop at the Calore River and, with a bit of luck, see rare otters swimming about in the water. Here you cycle over quiet peaceful roads in the middle of fragrant ‘maquis’ and tall chestnut and beech woods, through olive groves and vineyards. In the evening you turn back to your agriturismo and enjoy a glass of robust red wine and la mamma’s traditional, honest cuisine.
Agriturismo – Felitto
Distance: 56 km. – Cycling time: 4 h. – Ascent & descent: +/- 600 m.
Day 4
Today you will cycle from the Calore Valley to a cosy agriturismo in the rolling hills above the Alento plain in the central part of the Cilento. From Felitto you first head south. If you wish you can make a short detour for Laurino, where, during a stroll through the historical centre, you can admire several small churches, old ‘palazzi’ and the village’s castle. From here a quiet country road running through thick woods takes you to the tiny hamlet of Stio. You then continue through the woods to Gioi, beautifully located on a hilltop. You then continue with great views to Moio della Civitella, where you can visit the remains of a pre-Greek fortified town. You could climb up to the little church on the very top of the hill where you admire a beautiful panorama of this part of the Cilento. This is an ideal spot for a picnic lunch. From Moio you continue to Vallo della Lucania, the largest town in the central Cilento. From here you then head for Massascusa and Ceraso. This nicely preserved medieval village certainly merits a short visit – and a drink in the town square – before you continue mostly downhill to your agriturismo where you will settle for the night. You’ll enjoy a nice dinner made from local produce here.
Agriturismo – Ceraso
Distance: 65/70 km. – Cycling time: 4-5,5 h. – Ascent & descent: + 600 m./- 750 m. / + 800 m./- 950 m.
N.B. It is possible to include an extra night here. Descriptions for an extra ride will be provided.
Day 5
Today you cycle down to the coast, to the fishing village of San Marco di Castellabate, enjoying splendid views of the pristine Cilento coast at the feet of Monte Stella. Down at the coast, you can visit the remains of the Greek town of Velia, birthplace of the philosophers Zeno and Parmenides, and birthplace of one of Europe’s most ancient medical schools. You can admire the old port, the Greek and Roman baths, different temples and the famous ‘Porta Rosa’, one of the earliest examples of the use of the arch in Greek architecture. After your visit you cycle through the plain of the Alento River to Marina di Casalvelino. From here you follow the coastal road through the charming seaside fishing villages of Pioppi, once home to Ancel Keys, father of the so-called ‘Mediterranean Diet’, and Acciaroli, linked to the writer Ernest Hemingway. You could stop for a refreshing swim and have your lunch on the beach here. Then continue to Agnone, the ‘Ripe Rosse’ and Ogliastra Marina, from where you can visit the peninsula of Punta Licosa with its grotesquely curved pine trees, before turning in at your hotel at San Marco di Castellabate.
Hotel *** – San Marco di Castellabate
Distance: 57 km. – Cycling time: 4 h. – Ascent & descent: + 350 m./- 400 m.
N.B. It is possible to include an extra night here. Descriptions for an extra ride will be provided.
Day 6
Today a short ride takes you back to Paestum. If you didn’t visit the peninsula of Punta Licosa the day before, you can cycle over the small paved path from San Marco to the small lighthouse at its very tip. After your visit to the peninsula you climb up to the medieval village of Castellabate, situated on a hill slightly inland. From here you enjoy a wonderful view of the coast. Take your time to visit the nicely preserved historical centre of the little town. You then continue to the hamlet of San Pietro where a quiet country road takes you to the magnificent Bay of Trentova near Agropoli. Here you can take a short walk on the paths leading through the fragrant ‘maquis’, high above the crystal-clear sea of Punta Tresino. Your next stop is the town of Agropoli, where the acropolis with its ancient town gates and imposing remains of the castle are well worth a visit. After a cup of coffee you cycle back to Paestum, where, after a nice hot shower at the hotel, you can enjoy an ‘aperitivo’ with views of the Greek temples. For dinner tonight you are free to choose one of the restaurants near the temples.
Hotel *** – Paestum
Distance: 50 km – Cycling time: 4,5 h. – Ascent & descent: + 500 m./- 550 m.
Day 7
Your tour ends after breakfast at Paestum.
Walking tours in Italy
ACCOMMODATION & MEALS
All nights are spent in beautiful, characteristic hotels and agriturismo’s (generally 3-star). All rooms have en-suite facilities.
Dinners are not included on the last two nights, when you are free to organize your own dinner in one of the restaurants at San Marco di Castellabate and Paestum.
No picnic lunches are included in the tour price, but these can be prepared for you by the accommodation holders, or materials for picnics can be purchased in the villages where you stay.
INCLUSIONS
• 1 night in Hotel *** in Paestum – HB
• 2 nights in Agriturismo in Felitto – HB
• 1 night in Agriturismo in Ceraso – HB
• 1 night in B&B in San Marco di Castellabate – BB
• 1 night in Hotel *** in Paestum – BB
• Extensive route notes, with description of the route & tourist information
• Maps at 1 : 50.000 scale (or better) ; GPS waypoints and tracks (optional)
• 24/7 h local assistance
• Luggage transfer on day 2 & day 4 & day 5 & day 6
• Private transfers as specified
NOT INCLUDED
• Departure taxes & Visas
• Travel Insurance
• Drinks and meals not mentioned in the itinerary
• Optional additional tours or activities
• Tips
• Items of personal nature
• Bicycle rental (available on request)
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY
Easy to Moderate (2-3): Mostly moderate rides but with some longer climbs. All roads are well paved and mostly quiet with limited traffic except for some periods during summer and holidays near the coast. Extensions are possible on some days.
Fitness: Some experience with bicycle touring and a good general physical condition will certainly make your travel experience more enjoyable. You should be able to cycle for several hours a day also in hot dry weather conditions.
ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE
Arrival: The tour starts in PAESTUM which can easily be reached by train from either Naples or Salerno. Naples has an international airport. From Rome (and many other cities) Naples and Salerno, and thus Paestum, can easily be reached.
Departure: The tour ends in PAESTUM. A short transfer can bring you to the local train station from where Salerno and Naples are easily reachable.
A DISCOUNT of € 100 applies for those carrying their own luggage. Please contact us for terms & conditions.
Please note that bike rental is not included in our tour prices, offering you the possibility to bring your own bicycles. For those who wish to rent a bike we offer good quality bicycles at the best prices for the duration of the tour. Both hybrid or E-Bikes, as well as road bikes are available on request. You can have a look at our rental bikes here.
 | You can book this tour with a minimum of 1 person. |
 | There are a very limited number of available places on these dates. Immediate booking is recommended. |
 | Availability and prices on request. |
- Prices are per person and based on the season within which the first night of the tour falls.
- Prices are based on 2 people sharing double or twin accommodation. Single rooms (double rooms – single) are available on most trips however the supplements listed apply.
- If you are travelling alone then on some trips (which include taxi transfers) a ‘Solo Traveller Supplement’ will be applied instead of the normal single supplement.
- Prices are expressed in Euro’s. There will never be a currency surcharge.
- Actual exchange rates: GB £ - US $ - CAN $ - CHF - DKK - SEK - NOK - Other currencies.
Cycling tours in Italy
EXTRA NIGHTS
It is possible to extend your tour with a few days at Salerno, along the beautiful Amalfi Coast or at Naples. Details and prices on request. Extra cycling and/or sightseeing options can be provided!
UPGRADE
It is possible to book an upgrade in some of the places en route. Details and prices on request.
