Grand Tour of Puglia by Gravel

Morning arrival. Independent departure from the Ruvo di Puglia train station, joining official Cycleway 01 of High Murgia (route C01AM). The ride follows a steady, gentle ascent on dirt tracks and packed-earth paths, passing the ancient sheep-farming settlement of Jazzo Rosso and the meadows around San Magno, before reaching the iconic UNESCO-listed octagonal fortress of Castel del Monte.

Terrain & Type: Gravel / MTB Cycling | Murgia dirt tracks, packed-earth paths, and quiet secondary rural asphalt | Difficulty: Easy / Intermediate
Cycleway Covered: High Murgia Cycleway 01 (C01AM)
Activities: Self-guided ride through the High Murgia National Park, passing Jazzo Rosso, and independent visit to Castel del Monte
Recommended Food Experience: Murgian tasting stop near the castle featuring fresh PGI Burrata from Andria, PDO Altamura Bread, Podolico Caciocavallo cheese, and a glass of Nero di Troia DOCG wine (not included)
Logistics: Bed & Breakfast stay (overnight stay and breakfast). Overnight stay at the selected accommodation in the Castel del Monte / Andria area

Breakfast at the accommodation. A wild and scenic stage connecting to the Apulian Aqueduct Cycleway. Ride along the gravel service path running alongside the aqueduct's historic ventilation chimneys, crossing oak woodlands near Quasano before reaching Cassano delle Murge.

Terrain & Type: Gravel / MTB Cycling | Gravel AQP service track and quiet country lanes | Difficulty: Intermediate
Cycleway Covered: Apulian Aqueduct Cycleway (BI11)
Activities: Self-guided cycling along the unpaved aqueduct inspection paths, riding through Murgian oak forests, and independent exploration of Cassano delle Murge
Recommended Food Experience: Refreshing food break in Cassano featuring warm Barese focaccia, sweet Murgia olives, and PDO Gioia del Colle Mozzarella (not included)
Logistics: Bed & Breakfast stay (overnight stay and breakfast). Overnight stay at the selected accommodation in Cassano delle Murge

Breakfast at the accommodation. Ride through the refreshing shade of the majestic Mercadante Forest before heading southeast. The rugged, rocky Murgia terrain gradually yields to the gentle hills of the Trulli Valley: cycling along quiet country lanes framed by endless dry-stone walls, you reach the iconic UNESCO World Heritage town of Alberobello.

Terrain & Type: Gravel / MTB Cycling | Country lanes lined with dry-stone walls, forest paths, and secondary rural asphalt | Difficulty: Intermediate
Activities: Self-guided ride through the Mercadante Forest, scenic cycling across the Itria Valley landscape, and independent exploration of Alberobello's historic trulli districts
Gourmet Food Stop (INCLUDED): Traditional tasting stop in the heart of Alberobello featuring PGI Martina Franca Capocollo, handmade Apulian taralli, and a glass of chilled Locorotondo DOC wine
Logistics: Bed & Breakfast stay (overnight stay and breakfast). Overnight stay at the selected accommodation in Alberobello

Breakfast at the accommodation. A day fully dedicated to the most iconic and picturesque stretch of the entire Apulian Aqueduct Cycleway. Riding from Figazzano (near Locorotondo) to the gates of Ceglie Messapica, you will cycle in complete safety along a dedicated, traffic-free protected cycle path. The route offers breathtaking views as it crosses majestic aqueduct bridges suspended high above the countryside of the Itria Valley.

Terrain & Type: Gravel / MTB Cycling | Fully protected, traffic-free bike path and fine gravel surface | Difficulty: Easy
Cycleway Covered: Apulian Aqueduct Cycleway (BI11 - Historic Section)
Activities: Self-guided scenic ride along the protected AQP track, crossing historic aqueduct bridges over the Itria Valley, and independent exploration of Ceglie Messapica
Recommended Food Experience: Gourmet tasting break in the culinary capital of the Messapian region featuring the traditional Biscotto di Ceglie (Slow Food Presidium almond and cherry biscuit), fried meatballs, and a glass of local Primitivo wine (not included)
Logistics: Bed & Breakfast stay (overnight stay and breakfast). Overnight stay at the selected accommodation in the Ceglie Messapica area

Breakfast at the accommodation. Passing Villa Castelli, where the Main Canal of the Apulian Aqueduct historically ends, the route gently descends away from the Itria Valley hills. The terrain becomes flat and smooth, winding along packed red-earth tracks and quiet rural lanes framed by ancient olive groves and the renowned vineyards of Primitivo di Manduria.

Terrain & Type: Gravel / MTB Cycling | Packed red-earth tracks, farm roads, and secondary rural asphalt | Difficulty: Easy / Intermediate
Cycleway Covered: Apulian Aqueduct Cycleway (BI11)
Activities: Self-guided ride from the Itria Valley hills into the Salento plain, passing the historic terminal of the Main Canal at Villa Castelli, and independent visit to Manduria
Gourmet Food Stop (INCLUDED): Winery tasting session among the vineyards featuring a glass of Primitivo di Manduria DOCG, aged Salento pecorino cheese, and crostini topped with sun-dried tomato pate
Logistics: Bed & Breakfast stay (overnight stay and breakfast). Overnight stay at the selected accommodation in Manduria

Breakfast at the accommodation and check-out. The final stage of the journey is long yet smooth, connecting directly to Salento's stunning Ionian coast. The route alternates compact sandy singletracks along beaches and dunes—skirting past Porto Cesareo and the historic coastal city of Gallipoli—with secondary seaside roads, concluding where the land ends at the iconic Monumental Waterfall of the Apulian Aqueduct in Santa Maria di Leuca.

Terrain & Type: Gravel / MTB Cycling | Compact sandy singletracks, unpaved coastal paths, and quiet secondary roads | Difficulty: Advanced / Challenging (due to overall distance)
Activities: Self-guided ride along the Salento Ionian coastline, scenic pass through Porto Cesareo and Gallipoli, and final arrival at the Sanctuary and Monumental Waterfall in Santa Maria di Leuca
Recommended Food Experience: Oceanfront celebration toast in Leuca featuring warm Pasticciotto leccese, savory Salento pittule fritters, and a glass of chilled Negroamaro rosé wine (not included)
Logistics: Bed & Breakfast stay (breakfast included). Luggage transfer to the final drop-off point in Santa Maria di Leuca. 

Breakfast at hotel, check-out, and end of services.