UPPER CILENTO BIKE TOUR


Tour description

Our bicycle tour of the Upper Cilento will take us on a 6 day discovery trip of the Cilento's splendid nature and culture. Daily distances are limited to between 30 and 50 km for a total of 235 km, leaving plenty of time to explore the many interesting places we pass through. The presence of a back up van always offers a way out - or rather up - any steep climbs at the end of the day. The quiet and well cared for secondary roads travelled present very little traffic, and take us to tipical little villages surrounded by uncontaminated nature. From our starting point at Paestum in the Sele plain, we cycle through the rolling hills of the Upper Cilento region towards the Alburni Mountains after which we turn south and west in direction of the breathtaking coast around Punta Licosa, taking us back to Paestum.

The tour passes through all of the Upper Cilento, sampling the Alburni Mountains, the hilly country between the Calore and the Alento rivers, Mount Stella and the cilentan coast between Ascea and Agropoli. During our trip we will visit many places of both natural and cultural interest such as the archaeological sites of Paestum and Velia, the limestone caves of Castelcività and the Sammaro and Calore gorges, the ghost village of Roscigno Vecchia, the protected marine area of Punta Licosa and many tipical cilentan medieval hamlets and castles. The last day of the tour may be spent enjoying the dolce far niente at the beach at your hotel at Paestum or may see you visiting the provinces' capital Salerno for a shopping spree.

During the tour you will be accompagnied by a certified cycling guide as well as a back up van that also transports your luggage from one hotel to the next. Breakfast and dinner are served in the hotel, lunch generally consists of outdoor picnics



NOTE

The tour can also be cycled on an individual basis (self-guided) without guide or back up van. For self-guided tours you will receive all documentation necessary to find your way and learn about the Cilento's history, geology, fauna and flora. As we cannot offer a back up van and luggage transport for self-guided tours, your bicycles will be equipped with travel bags. During self-guided tours we operate a 24 hour phone assistance.



Tour schedule (click for larger image)





Day 1 :
After arriving at Paestum you are given the time to settle in and prepare for dinner with your cycling buddies. After dinner you will attend a short briefing.

Day 2 : Paestum - Albanella (30 km)
The morning of the first day we visit the world famous Greek temples of Poseidonia (Paestum) and the archaeological museum. After lunch we cycle trough the ancient territory of Poseidonia, visiting the sanctuary of Hera Argiva, the source of the Capodifiume river and the ghost village of Capaccio Vecchio. At the end of the day we climb to Albanella, our first stop for the night

Day 3 : Albanella - Corleto Monforte (50 km)
From Albanella we head for Roccadaspide, passing olive and chestnut groves. Passing through the beautiful green valley of the Calore river, we arrive at Castelcività where we visit the renowed limestone caves that are over five kilometers long. Towards the evening we reach Corleto Monforte where our hosts will have prepared a warm welcome.

Day 4 : Corleto Monforte - Laurino (30 km)
Today we head for the ghost village of Roscigno Vecchia. This rural village, abandonned in the early 1900's has been subject to a restauration project during recent years. From Roscigno we cycle to Sacco, a little village clinging to the high rocky crags of Mount Cervati. A short walk will take us to the sculpted limestone gorges on the Sammaro river. At the end of the day we reach Laurino where we stop for the night.

Day 5 : Laurino - Casalvelino (48 km)
The fourth day of our tour first takes us from Laurino to Campora, passing the deep gorges on the Calore river. From Campora we head for Moio della Civitella and Vallo della Lucania where we visit the greek cenobio (abbey). After stopping briefly in the medieval hamlet of Ceraso, we continue to Casalvelino.

Day 6 : Casalvelino - Castellabate (35 km)
After breakfast we visit the ruins of the ancient greek city of Elea at Castellamare di Velia. This city was the seat of the famous eleatic medical school and home to the greek philosophers Parmenide and Zenon. Cycling along the coast we reach the little harbours of Pioppi and Acciaroli. Continuing in direction of Castellabate we pass the Punta Licosa penisola where an easy dirt road under majestic pine trees takes us to the Licosa islet and lighthouse. Day 7 : Castellabate - Paestum (40 km)
On our last day on the road we explore the many little villages on the slopes of Mount Stella. Cycling up through lush olive groves we are rewarded with breathtaking views of the Punta Licosa penisola. Many of the names of the villages we pass through refer to Mount Stella's originale name of Mount Cilento, including Mercato Cilento and Laureano Cilento. br>
Day 8 : Paestum
To end our holiday in total relax, we can either enjoy the dolce far niente on the Paestum beach or visit the city of Salerno for a shopping trip.

Day 9 :
Breakfast and transfer to Naples International Airport or Central Train Station



TOUR DETAILS

Start: Paestum, Salerno
End: Paestum, Salerno
Lenght: 235 km, daily distances between 30 and 50 km
Duration: 9 days/8 nights (including transfers), 6 cycling days
Nr of participants: min. 8, max. 16
Price:prices start from 550 euro/person in double rooms, depending on season and number of participants. Please contact us for an exact price quote ; self-guided tour from 440 euro/person
2007 starting dates: March 3rd, April 14th, May 26th, September 1st, October 13th (for groups of over 10 participants starting dates may be changed on demand)
Our services include
-overnight stays in 3 star hotels or equivalent agriturismo, breakfast and dinner served in hotel (drinks not included), picnic lunch
-cycle guide for the duration of the tour
-back up van and tecnical assistance for the duration of the tour
-luggage transport
Our service does not include
-transfers from and to Napels International Airport or Central Train Station (can be organized on demand)
-bicycle rent (70 euro for the duration of the tour)
-various entrance fees and local guides
-drinks and snacks not included during meals
-travel and medical insurance
-tips