The best running trails in Chieti

Suitable for Gravel or MTB, less so for road bikes on the dirt sections

Trabocco Punta Rocciosa – Built with railway secrets. Located on the vibrant coastline of Fossacesia Marina, you'll find Trabocco Punta Rocciosa. This is not only an incredibly popular seafood restaurant where you dine above the crashing waves, but also a place with a fascinating historical secret directly connected to the cycle path you are currently riding! The railway secret of the 'fishing spiders' Did you know that this trabocco owes its rock-solid strength to the old railway line? Before 1862, the fishing platforms were built purely from fragile local wood and rope, causing them to sink into the sea at the slightest storm. When workers laid the railway line right along the coast, they left materials lying around everywhere. Resourceful fishermen saw their chance: they collected the heavy old railway sleepers, iron bolts, and telegraph cables. With these railway remnants, they anchored the trabocchi deep into the rocks. The Via Verde, which you are now cycling on, literally gave this construction its indestructible backbone in the 19th century! Why stop here? 📸 Postcard-perfect composition: the trabocco sits on a rugged, rocky headland (hence the name Rocciosa) with a beautiful little pebble beach right in front. 🍽️ Culinary hotspot: beloved for its authentic fish soups (il brodetto) and the unique experience of seeing the clear sea flowing through the gaps in the wooden floor. 🛠️ Living history: take a close look at the construction; the mix of gnarled tree trunks and industrial railway materials is nowhere as beautifully visible.

Costa dei Trabocchi – Cycling between ‘giant wooden spiders’. The Via Verde dei Trabocchi is without a doubt one of the most spectacular cycle paths in Europe! This smoothly asphalted and largely flat path is over 50 kilometers long and reuses an old, abandoned railway line. You literally cycle a stone's throw from the Adriatic Sea, right through cooling historic railway tunnels, past hidden pebble coves (calette) and idyllic little harbors. The absolute stars of this route are the trabocchi. These unique, monumental wooden fishing huts on stilts rise above the turquoise water like gigantic spiders. In the past, they were used by resourceful farming families to fish safely from dry land, and today they house the most exclusive fish restaurants in the Abruzzo region. Why you must cycle this route: 🌊 Continuous sea view: No cars, no stress, just the sound of the surf and the smell of the sea. 🐟 Culinary stops: From a quick espresso in an authentic little harbor to a lavish lunch on a wooden platform floating above the waves. 🛠️ Unique heritage: The route breathes history and brings you face to face with centuries-old fishing traditions. 💡 Komoot tip! Rent an e-bike, bring your swimwear for a refreshing dip in one of the hidden bays, and don't forget to book your fish lunch on a trabocco weeks in advance!

The stretch around San Vito Chietino and Marina di San Vito is considered the absolute highlight of the route. Here, spectacular views, historic railway tunnels, and the largest concentration of trabocchi alternate. An unforgettable coastal tour not to be missed.

Cycling through historic railway tunnels 🚂🚴 One of the most special experiences on the Via Verde dei Trabocchi is cycling through the beautifully restored railway tunnels. These impressive passages, carved out of brick and tuff stone, literally take you back in time. You follow the original route of the Ferrovia Adriatica from 1863 here. For more than 140 years, steam and diesel trains ran here right along the coast and the waves, until the railway line was moved inland in 2005. Today, the tunnels have been transformed into comfortable cycle paths with a smooth surface and automatic LED lighting. On warm summer days, the thick stone walls provide a wonderful natural coolness. Some tunnels still have the old openings to the sea, which now serve as beautiful viewing windows onto the azure Adriatic Sea. A unique combination of history, adventure, and spectacular views along the way.

Imagine: the Adriatic Sea shimmering beside you, a fresh sea breeze on your face, and an endless cycle path winding along the coast. The Via Verde dei Trabocchi is one of those routes where you don't actually want the ride to end. This cycle path, over 50 kilometers long and largely flat, follows a former railway line and takes you along one of the most beautiful coastal stretches of Abruzzo. Along the way, you'll pass the iconic trabocchi: impressive wooden fishing platforms that seem to float above the sea on stilts. With their long arms and nets, they stand out against the horizon like gigantic wooden works of art.

Taken at the beginning of June, a wonderful place and the best time to tackle it. I already miss it 🙁

Interesting facts about the location: Family heirloom: this specific trabocco was built in 1887 by the Verì family. To this day, the structure is still in the hands of their great-grandchildren. Floating restaurant: Nowadays, the platform serves as a unique fish restaurant. You literally dine on a wooden platform above the waves. In the middle of the restaurant, there is even a section of transparent glass floor that allows you to see the Adriatic Sea splashing beneath your feet while you eat. Marathon lunch: If you want to eat here, you need to significantly adjust your Komoot planning. They work with an extensive fixed fish menu (approx. €60 - €70 p.p.) of no less than 11 courses. Lunch starts punctually at 1:00 PM for all guests simultaneously and lasts at least 3 hours. Plan your time and enjoy !