Welcome To Italy
Poisoned
Arrow
Ride from Lazio to Abruzzo through spectacular natural landscapes,
historic villages and authentic territories. A cycling journey immersed in nature.
Discover
The Place
From the hills of Ciociaria to the high plateaus of Abruzzo,
this 11 day guided tour combines road and gravel stages with
a trekking day on the roof of the Apennines.
Based first in Fiuggi and then in Santo Stefano di Sessanio,
riders discover the Cesanese vineyards of Piglio, the climb to
Campocatino, the Ghost Lake of Canterno, the fortress of
Rocca Calascio, the endless plateau of Campo Imperatore and the
beech forests of Voltigno, before reaching the summit of Corno Grande on foot.
Route Information
Duration: 11 days | 7 cycling days + 1 trekking day
Lazio & Abruzzo
Start location: Fiuggi
End location: Santo Stefano di Sessanio
Schedule & Pricing
Total distance Bike: 451 KM | 280 MI
Total distance Hike: 9,5 KM | 5,9 MI
Total elevation Bike: 9210 M | 30217 FT
Total elevation Hike: 550 M | 1804 FT
Dates: September 5/15 2026
What's included
Discover the tour
day by day
Day 01
Transfer & Welcome
We start our adventure with a group airport transfer to Fiuggi, the elegant spa town in the heart of Ciociaria and our base for the first part of the tour. After setting up our bikes we will have a welcome drink and talk about the cycling days ahead.
Day 02
The Vineyards of Cesanese
Roll through the heart of historic Ciociaria, where a smooth ribbon of road
twists through the Ernici hills. This stage curves into the lush, ancient
microclimate of Piglio, where the legendary Cesanese grape has been cultivated
for centuries. Short, punchy climbs run between rows of historic vines and
sun-bleached olive groves, with open panoramic views of the medieval hill towns
that define the classic pre-Apennine landscape.
ROAD: KM 50 - MI 31 | MT 990 - FT 3248
Day 03
The Way of the Monasteries
Ride the paths of history along the smooth, compact white gravel of a
decommissioned railway line. Balancing nature and heritage, the route dives
into whispering oak forests and rolling hills. As the gravel crunches under
your tires, the path reveals remote, imposing Franciscan sanctuaries and
medieval fortresses, for a meditative yet rewarding gravel exploration.
GRAVEL: KM 64 - MI 40 | MT 1210 - FT 3970
Day 04
The High Ascent to Campocatino
The ultimate alpine milestone of the region. Leave the valleys behind for a
long, steady climb up to the spectacular glacial basin of Campocatino, perched
at 1,800 meters. The landscape shifts dramatically from dense forests to raw,
open limestone cliffs. The high amphitheater reveals a vast, sky-high plateau,
before an exhilarating and technical descent along the historic stone curves
of Guarcino.
ROAD: KM 64 - MI 40 | MT 1600 - FT 5249
Day 05
The Ghost Lake Loop
An active recovery ride on gravel, through a landscape of quiet, mystical beauty.
The stage follows the smooth dirt roads around Lake Canterno, known locally as the
Ghost Lake because its waters have appeared and vanished over time through a
natural sinkhole. Between quiet reeds, limestone ridges and grazing horses, this
loop offers flat, sweeping terrain that invites you to breathe in the rural peace
of the valley floor.
GRAVEL: KM 58 - MI 36 | MT 800 - FT 2625
Day 06
Transfer To Santo Stefano
Today we leave Ciociaria behind and transfer to Santo Stefano di Sessanio,
a medieval stone village in the Gran Sasso National Park and our base
for the Abruzzo days. A chance to relax during the journey and get ready
for the high mountains that await us.
TRANSFER: ~2h 30min | KM 180 - MI 112
Day 07
The Fortress of Rocca Calascio
Ascend into the epic highlands of Abruzzo, riding a high-altitude ribbon of
asphalt through the silent fortified stone hamlets of Barisciano and Castel
del Monte. The route builds toward a spectacular crescendo as it climbs to the
iconic ruins of Rocca Calascio, one of the highest and most breathtaking medieval
fortresses in Europe. Riding along these windswept mountain ridges feels like
crossing the roof of the old world.
ROAD: KM 70 - MI 43 | MT 1360 - FT 4462
Day 08
Little Tibet & Arrosticini
Enter the boundless, raw wilderness of the Campo Imperatore plateau, famously
known as the Little Tibet of Europe. This epic gravel stage leaves the asphalt
behind for wide dirt roads and grassland tracks across a vast high-altitude
valley, dominated by the colossal limestone walls of the Gran Sasso massif.
The absolute solitude of the high plains is matched only by the authentic smoke
of Ristoro Mucciante, where we stop to grill traditional arrosticini over
open charcoal.
GRAVEL: KM 85 - MI 53 | MT 1880 - FT 6168
Day 09
Corno Grande, Picco d’Italia
Trade the bike for trekking boots as we attempt the vertical crown of the
Apennines: the summit of Corno Grande at 2,912 meters. Led by Federico, our
certified alpine guide, this high-altitude trek follows dramatic limestone
ridges and steep, exposed paths. Passing below the southernmost glacier in
Europe, the final push reveals a legendary 360-degree view stretching from
the Tyrrhenian Sea to the deep blue of the Adriatic.
HIKE: KM 9,5 - MI 5,9 | MT 550 - FT 1804
Day 10
The Canyons of Voltigno
A final, cinematic gravel ride that bridges two different mountain worlds.
Leaving the open stone plains behind, the route plunges into the remote,
pristine karst plain of Voltigno, where white gravel paths dive beneath the
canopy of ancient, dense beech forests. The contrast between deep shade, hidden
limestone canyons and lush alpine meadows makes for an unforgettable farewell
to the Abruzzo wilderness.
GRAVEL: KM 60 - MI 37 | MT 1370 - FT 4495
Day 11
Goodbye
After breakfast and check out we leave as a group for the airport to catch an afternoon flight back, or continue your stay in Italy. Taking back home all the wonderful memories with us. We hope you loved this trip and already thinking of your next cycling adventure with Controvento.
What's included
10 nights luxe accommodation (twin share), breakfasts, lunches dinners, guides and vehicle support, mechanical support, guided trekking to Corno Grande, arrosticini lunch at Ristoro Mucciante, on-road snacks and supplements, daypack, bidons, laundry service for cycling kit, group airport transfers.
What's not included
Flights, insurances, bike hire, alcoholic beverages, coffee stops,
personal hotel expenses.
Recommended Airports
Arrival/Departure: Roma
Photogallery
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e-RIDE 30
Scott Solace
Gravel e-RIDE 30
Official clothing
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Starts Here
Contact us to plan your next cycling tour or
hiking adventure and experience Italy like never before.
We’ll take care of creating a tailor made experience
for you, through breathtaking landscapes, authentic
villages, and unforgettable adventures, designed for fun,
relaxation, and discovering the very best of our country.
