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Abruzzo

UNTAMED ABRUZZO | CLASSIC Journey

Often described as a mini Tibet the higher region of the National Park of Gran Sasso gives ways to layered foothills and forested valleys, where we cycle past medieval stone villages such as Santo Stefano, and Castel del Monte.

Hiking through Maiella offers a contrasting landscape, a massif with deep cut gorges and enormous valleys with only bears and birds of prey for company. This is a place to take in the silence and reconnect with nature.

When to go

May - Oct

Price from

£3,205

What's included?

From the moment you touch down in Italy, everything is included so that while you are with us you can forget about your wallet, relax and enjoy your time in glorious Abruzzo. 

Duration

5 nights

Scheduled Journeys

Private Journeys

Journey highlights

  • Discover this extraordinary mountain region with our expert guides.
  • Admire the ancient architecture of the medieval villages, a labyrinth of cobbled alleyways, churches and towers.
  • Glimpse Apennine brown bears, wolves and mountainous birds of prey.
  • From farm to table, enjoy tasty mountain food and regional wines, sampled in local homes.
  • Meet the local artisans living off the land, cheesemakers and beekeepers, and castle custodians.
  • Enjoy our customary attention to detail. You will never be better cared for on holiday.
A farmer with his sheep in the mountains of Abruzzo where Slow Cyclists ride.
A Slow Cyclist traditional guesthouse with traditional stone walls and wooden beams, in Abruzzo, Italy.
ON THE MOVE

This is a journey undertaken by electric bike and on foot. Cycling distances will be between 40 - 60 kms per day and consists of a wonderful mix of quiet roads, tracks and meadows. It is suitable for almost all levels of cyclist.

Walks will be no more than 3 hours and will not be technical. There will always be someone travelling at your pace; this is a journey to take time over.

The Slow Cyclist Journey designer Emily Sykes
MEET JOURNEY DESIGNER EMILY
I spent much of 2022 in Italy designing this journey, working with local communities to create an incredible experience for our guests; one that is true to the slow travel ethos.
Santo Stefano village in Abruzzo, Italy

Untamed Abruzzo

Spend five days and nights in the wild heart of Italy, journeying through two mountainous and remote National Parks, Gran Sasso and Maiella.
Day 1 - Arrival in Abruzzo

Your driver will meet you at the airport and take you to the delightful village of Santo Stefano di Sessanio where you will stay two nights at the stylish and sympathetically restored Sextantio Albergo Diffuso. You will meet your guiding team and embark on a lovely afternoon walk to a village with sweeping views followed by a local dinner.

Day 2 - Castles in the Sky
The day starts with a hearty breakfast followed by a magnificent cycle loop up to the high Campo Imperatore plateau. We will stop for a picnic lunch along the way in a village that was once one of the capitals of transhumance in Abruzzo. Descending along tracks, we arrive back in the beautiful village of Santo Stefano for our second night with a wine tasting and dinner at sunset.
Day 3 - Ancient Trails

Today we enjoy a wonderfully varied cycle down from the Gran Sasso mountains, partly following ancient transhumance trails, through villages and into a valley with Roman ruins, farmland, meadows, lakes and ancient forests, ending with a medieval frescoed chapel. We take a one hour transfer at the end of the day to the Maiella National Park where we settle into our base for the next three nights, the beautifully converted Case Catalano, in a gloriously remote spot under starry night skies.

Day 4 - Hidden Hermitages
We start the day by jumping on our bikes for a cycle through undulating countryside and up to the spectacular Santo Spirito hermitage, a church cut into the rocks, which we will visit with the warden. After lunch in a local restaurant with sweeping views we leave our bikes to walk back to Case Catalano. Dinner is in a nearby osteria.
Day 5 - Majestic Maiella

We have a magnificent day’s cycling in the wide and spectacular Orta Valley, heading out on the western Massif slopes, pausing to meet local cheese and honey makers, stopping for a picnic lunch near the beautiful hamlet of Roccacaramanico and then cycling back on a wooded track below the eastern Morrone mountain and passing across the Orta gorge at Salle. The day is perfect for enjoying the flora and fauna of these protected mountains.

Day 6 - Departure

After breakfast it’s a 2.5 hour transfer back to Rome. If you wish to extend your trip to the Abruzzo coast we can help with arrangements.

HOW TO BOOK

You can choose to either join one of our set-date, scheduled departures or travel in a private group with friends and family.

MAKE NEW FRIENDS

Scheduled Journeys

Our set-date departures are a wonderful opportunity not only to explore a fascinating part of the world but also to meet like-minded travellers and make new friends in a group of Slow Cyclists gathered by us.

TRAVEL WITH FRIENDS

Private Journeys

We specialise in creating exceptional bespoke experiences. If you are interested in creating a private journey with friends or family, please do get in touch.

Upcoming Scheduled Journeys

Untamed Abruzzo
June 9, 2025
5 Nights
£3,395.00
Untamed Abruzzo
June 16, 2025
5 Nights
£3,395.00
Untamed Abruzzo
September 1, 2025
5 Nights
£3,395.00
Untamed Abruzzo
September 8, 2025
5 Nights
£3,395.00
Untamed Abruzzo
September 15, 2025
5 Nights
£3,395.00