The best MTB trails around San Vito Chietino

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

Beautiful and really interesting

Castello Aragonese – Historic viewpoint above the Adriatic Sea The Castello Aragonese is the impressive northern starting point of the Costa dei Trabocchi. This 15th-century fortress stands high on a steep cliff and offers you a magnificent view over the Adriatic Sea, the port of Ortona, and the coastline of the Via Verde dei Trabocchi. The massive round towers and thick fortress walls are reminiscent of a turbulent past. The castle withstood heavy fighting during World War II, after which part of the complex was lost. As if that were not enough, in 1946, a landslide caused almost half of the fortress to disappear into the sea. Today, it is one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Ortona and an ideal stop during your cycling or hiking tour. The castle ruins and inner courtyard are freely accessible. A short, steep climb awaits from the port, but it is amply rewarded with beautiful panoramas. Around the castle, you will also find cozy terraces and shady benches to catch your breath.

Directly along the busy Via Verde della Costa dei Trabocchi lies a hidden cultural treasure that most cyclists simply whiz past: the Area Archeologica di Murata Bassa (Lungomare di Gualdo). Although the Roman remains are sometimes a bit overgrown, this is the ideal place to put your bike aside and take a break. Why you'll want to dismount here: coolness in the shade. The small, covered archaeological building offers a delightful, shady refuge from the burning afternoon sun. Perfect for catching your breath and having a drink with the thought that 2000 years of history lie beneath your feet. At this exact spot, archaeologists uncovered the foundations of a luxurious Roman coastal villa from the 1st century BC, which was later converted into a small factory with a large oven for terracotta oil lamps. The large information board on site tells you the whole story in Italian and English. Unique photo spot to capture a beautiful memory. From the elevation at the excavations, you have a beautiful, slightly higher view over the coastline and the trabocchi below. In summary: this highlight is a quiet, shady mini-break full of history, just before or after the hustle and bustle around the tunnels of Marina di San Vito!

Christ of Vallevò – Get off for a special view ✨ Take a moment here to pause at the bronze statue of the Christ of Vallevò. With arms raised to the heavens, it symbolizes peace, hope, and protection for fishermen, sailors, and divers who have sailed the Adriatic Sea for generations. The statue along the Via Verde dei Trabocchi is a replica. The original bronze artwork rests on the seabed off the coast of Vallevò, silently watching over the sea. A special place where nature, art, and maritime tradition come together – and a beautiful moment to stop and enjoy the view over the Adriatic Sea.

Mural Dal primo all'ultimo – Ode to the Giro d'Italia 🎨🚴 Along the Via Verde dei Trabocchi, the colorful mural Dal primo all'ultimo (From the first to the last) immediately catches the eye. Over a length of no less than 60 meters, you see a dynamic cycling peloton that perfectly reflects the passion for cycling. The artwork was created by local schoolchildren as part of the Muri Parlanti – Talking Walls project and is a tribute to the Grande Partenza of the Giro d'Italia 2023, the opening stage of which ran along this beautiful coastal route. A great photo stop for every cycling enthusiast and a beautiful reminder of the rich cycling history of the Costa dei Trabocchi.

Flat and car-free: The route is laid out on a former railway line directly on the Adriatic Sea. It is fully asphalted, flat, and 100% car-free, making it perfect for any type of cyclist (from road cyclists to families).Unique setting: You cycle right past the iconic trabocchi: wooden, spider-like fishing platforms that hover over the waves. At many of these platforms, you can stop nowadays for a unique lunch or dinner with fresh fish.

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.