“Too much, too wonderful is nature here for me to feel the labors of its harshness,” wrote Luigi Vittorio Bertarelli in 1897, the founder of the Italian Touring Club Ciclistico Italiano, as he cycled up the mountains of Pollino Park. And it rings true—Basilicata is a land of endless ascents and descents, a tapestry of mountains and hills interwoven with rivers that carve through a region of a thousand landscapes.
Basilicata by Bike: an invitation to explore
For those who enjoy slow travel, feeling the pulse of nature, and connecting with welcoming communities, Basilicata is an ideal destination. This is a land where protected natural areas cover nearly a third of the territory, preserving habitats that inspire boundless exploration. From the peaks of the Pollino to the valleys of the Agri and Sinni rivers, from the heights of Vulture to the Monticchio Lakes, and from the Lucanian Dolomites to the Murgia Materana, this region offers itineraries that awaken the curiosity of passionate travelers and evoke the secrets of a land rich in history.
21 routes in one app
With 11 Nature Reserves, 2 National Parks, and 3 Regional Parks, Basilicata offers a wealth of routes for cyclists, whether on road bikes, gravel bikes, mountain bikes, or e-bikes. The trails range from medium-easy rides to challenging adventures, blending athletic passion with the exploratory curiosity sparked by the landscape.
The “Basilicata Free to Move” app made by the Territorial Promotion Agency offers 21 routes complete with GPX track that cross the entire Lucanian territory providing useful tips, pointing out en plein air activities, cycle shops, specialized outlets, bike hotels and typical restaurants, camper areas and drinking water fountains.
Ring of Lucanian Parks by bicycle
The Lucanian Parks Cycling Ring is a 15-stage route that begins in Maratea, a finalist in the race for Italian Capital of Culture 2026. Overlooking the Tyrrhenian coast and watched over by its iconic Christ statue, Maratea marks both the starting and ending points of a 725 km journey through Basilicata’s protected areas, with an elevation gain of 13,360 meters.
Cyclists can access Maratea via its train station, which is serviced by high-speed and Intercity trains equipped with bike carriages. From here, the route heads to Lake Sirino (38.6 km, 1,200 meters elevation gain), where a scenic bike path follows the former Calabro-Lucana railway line into Pollino National Park.
The route then climbs past Rotonda, reaching its highest point at 1,445 meters on the slopes of Serra di Crispo, near Acquatremola. Descending through the Sarmento Valley, the path continues toward the Ionian coast, passing Valsinni, home to poetess Isabella Morra, and traversing the Sinni Valley to arrive at Colobraro, the town of “mysteries.”
Cyclists then pedal through the Calanchi Park, a surreal lunar landscape, encountering the haunting ruins of Craco, the casedde di Pisticci, and the rabatana of Tursi, before ascending to Matera, the UNESCO-listed city of the Sassi.
A Journey Through Basilicata’s Gems
From Matera’s Murgia Park and the green oasis of San Giuliano, the route descends into the Basento Valley before climbing again to the Gallipoli Cognato Piccole Dolomiti Lucane Regional Park, home to the dramatic spires of the Flight of the Angel. Leaving Pietrapertosa, the journey continues to the Bradano River, where it intersects the Eurovelo 5 – Via Romea Francigena, arriving in Venosa, the birthplace of Latin poet Horace.
Cyclists then pass through Barile and Ginestra, with their Arbëreshë roots, and reach Melfi, an ancient city crowned by its imposing Norman-Swabian castle. Located at the entrance to the Vulture Park, Melfi is renowned for its Aglianico wine, the picturesque Lakes of Monticchio, and charming villages nestled between the Bradano and Ofanto rivers.
The trail moves through Muro Lucano, follows the ancient Appian Way past Bosco Grande di Ruoti and the Li Foi Mountains, and nears Potenza, the regional capital. Here, a riverside bike path runs alongside a historic Roman bridge.
After Potenza, the route ascends through the Arioso-Sellata forests, known for their historic ski facilities, and descends into the beech forests of Marsico Nuovo, a diocesan center in the heart of the Lucanian Apennines National Park.
The final leg of the journey includes a visit to the archaeological site of Grumentum on Lake Pertusillo before tackling the ascent over the Sirino Massif to Lagonegro. The trail then rejoins the bike path at the old Rivello station, leading back to Lake Sirino and, finally, descending to Maratea’s stunning coastline.
Lucanian hospitality
What makes Basilicata truly special is not just its natural beauty, historical landmarks, and cultural treasures, but also its people. Travelers are greeted with heartfelt hospitality and treated to the delights of Lucanian cuisine—an endless array of legumes, vegetables, grains, and fruits, along with traditional dishes of extraordinary quality.
Accommodations abound along the route, including farmhouses, B&Bs, and cozy hotels, allowing travelers to tailor their trips to their own pace and preferences.
Basilicata offers more than a journey; it offers an authentic connection to a land of profound beauty, rich history, and warm, welcoming communities.
