Adriatic Cycle Route: the coast of Abruzzo in the saddle, through Torino di Sangro

The Adriatic Cycle Route is the great spine that follows the sea for around 1,300 kilometres, from Trieste all the way to Santa Maria di Leuca. In Abruzzo it takes the name Bike to Coast: roughly 131 km of almost entirely flat path from Martinsicuro to San Salvo, hailed as one of Italy’s finest cycleways. Its southern section coincides with the Via Verde of the Costa dei Trabocchi — and Torino di Sangro is its ideal midpoint.

This itinerary tells the Chieti-coast stage, from Francavilla al Mare to the border with Molise. You ride from one seaside town to the next — Ortona with its castle, San Vito Chietino and d’Annunzio’s Turchino, Fossacesia and the abbey on the headland — alternating protected cycle path with the odd stretch of minor road.

Halfway lies Torino di Sangro: the Lecceta reserve, the Blue Flag beach of Le Morge, the trabocchi. It’s the natural place to catch your breath or spend the night, before setting off again towards Punta Aderci and Vasto. From here it’s only a few kilometres to San Salvo and Molise.

A route for fit cycle-tourists: the 131 km are comfortably covered in 2–3 days. Regional trains on the Adriatic line carry bicycles (free on Abruzzo regional services, with a supplement on inter-regional ones): handy for the return leg or to skip the less scenic sections.

Good to know

• The 131 km of the Abruzzo stretch are best ridden over 2–3 days: Torino di Sangro is the mid-route place to stay overnight
• Regional trains on the Adriatic line carry bikes (free on Abruzzo regional services, ~€3.50 supplement on inter-regional ones): handy for the return
• Most of the route is protected cycle path (old railway); a few short stretches run on minor roads — mind the traffic
• May–June and September: pleasant warmth and beaches still uncrowded

Best time: Late spring (May–June) and September

How to do it: by bike