Tipi Percorsi
The sweet countryside costing massage and pajare, the wild beaches along the coast, the pinks on the sea in the parks to the scent of the Mediterranean spot, the boroughs and the small navies that treasure ancient tales and masterpieces not just a glimpse : it is an extraordinary adventure pedaling in the lands of the Salento, starting from Lecce to touch Galatin, the homeland of tarantism, and then immersing itself in the parks of which it is rich in the Ionian sea. Between one borgo and the other, alternates thus the Natural Park of Ugento, the Park of Punta Pizzo and the Isle of Sant' Andrea, the Park of Portoselvaggio, the protected Marine Area of Porto Cesareo, the Reserve of the Palude del Conte, the Reserve of the Tarantino littoral, up to the mouth of the Chidro River. You then enter into the land of the Primitivo by touching Manduria and Avetrana to return then to Lecce. The complete cyclovia and the 5 ring paths The Cycllovia of the Ionian Salento is the complete path to explore this territory, it is a ring path at the reach of all that develops in just over 300 kilometres in six recommended stages (Lecce, Nardò, Ugento, Gallipoli, Tower Lapillo, Avetrana). Overlapping for a good part of the main itinerary, are five ring paths that allow you to make excursions of a day or to arrange to measure your journey by bike : Escursion E-01 : from Ugento to Racale ;
Escursion E-02 : from Gallipoli to Racale ;
Escursion E-03 : from Nardò to Gallipoli ;
Escursion E-04 : from Porto Cesareo to Nardò ;
Excursion E-05 : from Manduria to Torre Lapillo The main path, long 305.8 km, and for 82% on asphalt and 18% on stills, with low intensity traffic on almost all the route, except in July / August on littoral traits. Lecce Lecce is the Pugliese city known as the "Florence of the South" for its extraordinary baroque beauty. It is a city that enchants and deserves to be explored by bicycle to discover its rich artistic and architectural heritage. Pedalando for its narrow and evocative streets, you can admire the magnificent baroque churches, the historical palaces and the enchanting squares that characterize the historical centre of Lecce. The bicycle will allow you to move agely between the most important monuments, such as the Basilica of Holy Cross, the Duomo and theRoman Anfiteatro. Lecce is surrounded by a campaign that will amaze you in all seasons and rich in ancient olive groves and vineyards. Pedalling between the streets of the salentine countryside will offer you the chance to discover the true essence of the Puglia. Finally, Lecce is a lively and welcoming city, rich in culinary and cultural traditions that you can discover along your bike journey. Stop in a local trattoria to taste the delicacies of the salentine cuisine and immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of this city that can conquer the heart of anyone who visits it. Pedalare through the streets of Lecce will be an unforgettable experience that will leave you with precious memories to take with you forever. Exiting the city meets the first important point of interest of this cyclovia : thearchaeological area of Rudiae.
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Part from Lecce, the capital of the Baroque, the first leg of the Ciclovia of the Ionian Salento. And it is immediately a journey between history and nature : as soon as the city leaves the archaeological area of Rudiae with its amphitheatre, the fiabian road of the Cupa Valley and the rural chiesthole of the Madonna della Neve. Then you enter the Grecìa Salentina, touching on Sternatia and Soleto, to stop in Galatin to admire the magnificent frescoes of the Basilica of St. Catherine of Alexandria and the atavics suggestive of the tarantates. You arrive in Nardò that comes with its ancient borgo rich in history.
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Between pajare and dry mulls, it is a ride in the interior of the Salento the second leg of the Cycloth of the Ionian Salento. After Nardò, it touches Galatone, with its borgo dominated by the Sanctuary of the Crucifix, and then passes from Sannicle and Alezio. The sweet salentine campaign alternates to the municipalities of Taviano, Racale and Alliste. The small and evocative borgo of Felline opens the way to the approx in Ugento, the town of the tiny Zeus.
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Directorate of the sea, it is set aside from Ugento for the third stage of the Cyclovia of the Ionian Salento, but first it passes through the Gemini borgo, arriving on the coast between the Bacines of Ugento, in the heart of the Ugento Coastal Natural Park. He pedals to the seashore on the delightful cyclopedontal trail along the low cliff of Capilungo, to arrive later in the heart of the Punta Pizzo Regional Park, touch the Church of St. Peter of the Samarians and return to pedal ashore on the seashore along the cyclopedonal of the Green Bay to Gallipoli.
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Alternative path to stage 3 of the Ciclovia path of the Ionian Salento
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Takes the way from the borgo on the sea of Gallipoli the fourth stage of the Cyclovia of the Ionian Salento to peddle along the coast and enter the coast and enter the river, in Santa Maria to the Bagno, the cycling on the cliff to Santa Caterina. Here we find ourselves in the great green pineta that mirrors in the crystal clear water of Porto Selvaggio. He then pedals on the catwalk in front of the sea of the Strea to arrive in Porto Cesareo, between dunes and white beaches. To mark the end of the stage is Torre Lapillo, the imposing fortress of the coastal defense system of the sixteenth century.
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Part from Torre Lapillo, in the shadow of the historic tower, the fifth stage of the Cyclovia of the Ionian Salento. After a fresco on a fantastic spunnulata (a resurgence), it pedal between the woods of Arneo and the coast with its naturalistic jewels : the paths in the perfumed stain of the Palude of the Count, the pink fenicacles in flight on the lake mirror of Salina dei Monaci, the freezing and crystalline water of the mouth of the Chidro River. And then straight into the interior, beyond the woods there is first Manduria, with its millennial history, and finally the borgo of Avetrana.
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Directorate of Lecce, you begin pedaling from the square of Avetrana for the 6th and final stage of the Cyclovia of the Ionian Salento. After crossing the Mediterranean spot and pastures here is the imposing test track of Porsche. So it touches Boncore Village and begins a journey in the countryside of the Salento interior, between orti, olive trees and vineyards all the way up to Arnesano. The arrival in Lecce is an occasion to get to know the ancient borough, from Porta Rudiae to the Cathedral with the fading bell tower, all the way to St. Oronzo Square, welcomed to the finish line by the patron of the city.
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From the ancient villages, dominated by impregnable fortresses, to the long beaches of Ugento, cycling with the scent of the Mediterranean scrub in the Regional Natural Park of the Ugento Coast.
The journey starts from Racale and when you reach the coast, you cycle along the historic roads that run alongside the basins, a colossal reclamation work that saved this land from ancient evils such as malaria, returning fertile land to the people of Salento.
The municipalities that are crossed along this loop are: Ugento, Gemini, Torre San Giovanni, Posto Rosso, Capilungo, Torre Suda.
The route mainly develops on asphalt (about 90%) and on low-traffic roads for almost the entire route. Please note that in the months of July and August, the stretch of the coastal road from Torre San Giovanni to Posto Rosso (Marina di Alliste) has heavy traffic.
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This itinerary leads straight into the green heart of Gallipoli.
You pass through typical villages of the Apulian landscape and inland farmhouses that tell an ancient story dating back to the times of the Messapians.
Once you reach the sea, the doors of the Regional Natural Park of the Island of Sant’Andrea and Punta Pizzo coastline open up, a strip of white sand overlooking the spectacular bay and enclosing the treasures of Salento's nature.
The route starts from Gallipoli and the municipalities crossed are: Alezio, Taviano, Racale, Torre Suda, Marina di Mancaversa, Baia Verde.
The route mainly develops on asphalt roads (about 80%) with low traffic almost throughout. In the summer months of July and August, traffic on the coastal road is more intense.
Apulian farmhouses called 'masserie'
Farmhouses are ancient rural dwellings typical of Apulia. They are located in the countryside and often surrounded by olive groves, vineyards, and cultivated fields. Some of these traditional buildings date back to the medieval or Renaissance period and represent an important historical and cultural heritage of the region.
What does a farmhouse look like? A farmhouse is characterized by stone walls, inner courtyards, vaulted roofs, and sometimes watchtowers. Originally used as residences for farmers and places of agricultural production, farmhouses have often been renovated and transformed into charming accommodation facilities, where visitors can immerse themselves in Apulian history and tradition.
Farmhouses offer an authentic atmosphere and a unique experience, allowing visitors to live the countryside life in a suggestive and relaxing environment. In addition to their architectural beauty, Apulian farmhouses are often surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and offer the opportunity to taste genuine local cuisine, based on fresh and high-quality products. Visiting an Apulian farmhouse means immersing oneself in the culture and traditions of this fascinating region.
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In case of bad weather or if you want to avoid crossing the Punta Pizzo Park on a sandy trait path, immediately after Marina di Mancaversa you can opt for a variant of 4 km on the littoral.
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You pedal between "pajare" and dry stone walls, peasant architectures that have defined the very identity of the Salento countryside, protecting vegetable gardens and olive trees.
The inland on the hills, just a little above sea level, gives way to Gallipoli for a long ride along the seaside to Torre dell'Alto, a stage for magical sunsets on the cliff between the green of Porto Selvaggio Park and the blue of the Ionian Sea.
The starting point of this route is Nardò. Pedaling, you pass through the municipalities of: Galatone, Sannicola, Chiesanuova, Alezio, Gallipoli, Rivabella, Lido Conchiglie, Santa Maria al Bagno, Santa Caterina di Nardò, Cenate.
The route mainly develops on asphalt roads (about 90%) with low traffic; in the summer months of July and August, the coastal road is instead characterized by heavy traffic.
What are 'pajare'?
Pajare are ancient rural buildings typical of the Apulia region. These structures, dating back to prehistoric times and used until the 19th century, represent a unique example of traditional rural architecture.
Pajare are entirely built in dry stone, without the use of mortar, and have a conical or trullo-shaped structure, with a dome roof resembling a beehive. This particular shape was designed to ensure better resistance to the weather and greater durability over time.
Originally used as temporary shelters for farmers during working hours in the fields, pajare have often been restored and transformed into accommodations for tourists who want to experience a unique stay immersed in nature and the history of Apulia.
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It is a dive into the sea colored in green and blue, the itinerary that starts from Torre Lapillo to reach Nardò through the flourishing Salento countryside.
The endless pine forest surrounding the bay of Porto Selvaggio indicates that you are in the heart of the Porto Selvaggio and Palude del Capitano Park. From tower to tower, you pedal just a few meters from the long white beaches protected by imposing dunes, projecting onto the magical sea of the Porto Cesareo Marine Protected Area.
This route starts and ends in Porto Cesareo.
You pass through these municipalities: Torre Lapillo, Villaggio Boncore, Nardò, Cenate, Torre Inserraglio, Sant'Isidoro, Torre Squillace, La Strea.
You mainly cycle on asphalt roads, about 75%, but also on dirt roads.
Traffic is light along almost the entire route. In the months of July and August, the stretch on the coastal road is instead characterized by heavy traffic.
Porto Cesareo Marine Protected Area
The Porto Cesareo Marine Protected Area is a natural jewel located along the Ionian coast of Puglia, in the province of Lecce. This precious marine ecosystem, established in 1997, extends for about 17 kilometers along the coast, protecting a vast area of crystal-clear sea and rich seabeds full of biodiversity.
The waters of the Porto Cesareo Marine Protected Area are characterized by extraordinary transparency and a varied marine fauna, including species of colorful fish, mollusks, crustaceans, and algae. The seabeds are dotted with meadows of oceanic posidonia, which play a fundamental role in the ecological balance of the sea and in protecting the coast from erosion.
In addition to its extraordinary natural beauty, the Porto Cesareo Marine Protected Area also offers the opportunity to visit enchanting white sandy beaches and discover ancient archaeological sites that testify to human presence in these lands since ancient times.
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The magical flight of pink flamingos dominates the Salento coastline in the land of Primitivo and Negroamaro.
You cycle through vineyards and wild Mediterranean scrubland before reaching the coast, where the karstic land shows its "spunnulate", karstic resurgences that create small lakes of crystal-clear freshwater.
In the Reserve of the Eastern Taranto Coastline, nature takes over with the Salina dei Monaci and its extraordinary guests, along with the cold and brilliant water of the Chidro river mouth.
The route starts and ends in Manduria. Cycling along the loop, you will pass through the municipalities of Avetrana, Villaggio Boncore, Torre Lapillo, Torre Castiglione, Padula Fede, Punta Prosciutto, Torre Colimena, Specchiarica, San Pietro in Bevagna.
You mainly cycle on asphalt roads, about 75%, but also on dirt roads.
Traffic is light along almost the entire route. In the months of July and August, the stretch on the coastal road is instead characterized by heavy traffic.
The wine 'Negramaro'
Negramaro wine is an oenological excellence typical of Puglia, particularly in the provinces of Lecce, Brindisi, and Taranto.
This native grape variety, whose name derives from the words "black" and "bitter", produces full-bodied and intense red wines that encapsulate all the warmth and passion of Southern Italy.
Negramaro grapes grow lush under the Mediterranean sun, in calcareous and clayey soils that give the wine a unique and unmistakable character. Wines made from this grape variety stand out for their intense ruby color, complex aromas of berries, spices, and floral notes, and a enveloping and persistent taste that makes them perfect to pair with traditional Apulian dishes such as orecchiette with tomato sauce and strong ricotta cheese.
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This ring path is the shortest alternative (50 km) to the E-05 itinerary to immerse yourself in the land of Primitivo and Negroamaro wines, between vineyards and Mediterranean stain. It comes to the sea at Punta Prosciutto to discover then the Salina dei Monaci, inhabited by pink fenicoppers, and the mouth of the Chidro River before it dates back between the vineyards towards Manduria.
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Routes Cicloturismo Salento