The best MTB trails around Casalbordino

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

Beautiful and really interesting

Via Verde dei Trabocchi – Cycling on the most beautiful balcony of the Adriatic Sea. If there is one cycle path you must ride in your life, it is the Via Verde dei Trabocchi. This breathtaking cycle path, over 50 kilometers long, is built on a spectacular route of a former railway line, right along the rugged coast of the Italian region of Abruzzo. Because the route is never steep and is completely car-free, it is pure, carefree enjoyment for every type of cyclist. You are literally cycling a stone's throw from the lapping water. Historical, cool railway tunnels, hidden pebble coves (calette), and idyllic little harbors alternate at a dizzying pace. The absolute main characters along the route are the iconic trabocchi: monumental, centuries-old wooden fishing platforms on stilts that float like giant spiders above the turquoise sea. Formerly a clever invention of local fishermen, today they are the most unique seafood restaurants you will ever see.

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.

Nature trail Punta Aderci – Wild gravel paradise along the coast 🌊🚴 Here you cycle through the wildest and most untouched part of the Via Verde dei Trabocchi. The unpaved Sentiero Natura winds through the protected nature reserve Riserva Naturale di Punta Aderci, past cliffs, golden fields, and the azure Adriatic Sea. The gravel stretch takes you to spectacular viewpoints, where you overlook the iconic Trabocco di Punta Aderci and the impressive coastline. On clear days, you can even see the peaks of the Majella mountains on the horizon. A unique mix of wild nature, sea views, and adventure. Perfect for gravel bikes, mountain bikes, and sturdy e-bikes. Don't forget your camera and bring plenty of water, as there are no facilities along the way.

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

The Ciclovia Adriatica in Abruzzo (better known as Bike to Coast) is a 131-kilometer cycle path that covers the entire coastline of the Abruzzo region. The route runs from Martinsicuro (coastal border with Marche) to San Salvo (border with Molise). The route is mostly flat, mostly car-free, and crosses 19 coastal municipalities.