The best cycling routes around Altino

Historic Franciscan monastery in an oasis of peace. The Convento di San Pasquale (officially the monastery of Santa Maria degli Angeli) is hidden in the greenery on the hill of Vallaspra, just outside the medieval town of Atessa. This impressive complex was founded as early as 1408 by the blessed Tommaso da Firenze. It is built entirely of natural stone and exudes a serene, historic atmosphere. Although the interior and the beautiful monastery garden with the central well (from 1709) are unfortunately often closed to the public due to varying opening hours, the complex is an absolute sight to behold from the outside. Under the large portico at the front, you can still admire a centuries-old fresco of the Pietà. Moreover, the quiet, shady surroundings are perfect for a well-deserved break during your sporting tour. Fun fact: the monastery used to lend its name to the well-known local herbal liqueur "Amaro San Pasquale", which was originally prepared by the monks with herbs from this valley.

Fossacesia Marina Beach – The perfect mix of pebbles and crystal-clear water! The beach of Fossacesia Marina is an absolute top location along the Via Verde! This wide, kilometer-long beach consists of pearl-white pebbles that contrast beautifully with the intense green and blue hues of the Adriatic Sea. Thanks to these stones, the water here remains almost always crystal clear, making it a paradise for swimmers. Whether you love pure, rugged nature or comfort; this beach offers the best of both worlds. You'll find large stretches of free nature (spiaggia libera) where you can simply lay down your towel, interspersed with atmospheric lidos and beach bars where you can rent sun loungers. Why is this beach worthy of a highlight? 🌊 Crystal-clear sea: The unique, light pebble bottom ensures an incredibly turquoise water quality that has been receiving the prestigious Bandiera Blu (Blue Flag) for years. 🍹 Lively boulevard: Directly on the cycle path, you'll find numerous cozy beach bars and cafes for a quick espresso, an ice-cold drink, or a delicious Italian gelato. 🗺️ Perfect base: Located at the foot of the hill of the abbey of San Giovanni in Venere and surrounded by historic trabocchi. 💡 Komoot tip: during your bike tour, be sure to pack your water shoes in your bike bag! The pebbles can get very hot on a warm summer day, and this way you can comfortably walk into the refreshing water for the ultimate cooling down during your bike route.

Ex-Fossacesia Station – The historic railway heart by the sea. The old Fossacesia Marina train station is a fascinating cultural-historical stop right along the route. Today, this nostalgic building marks the spot where the historic Adriatic Railway (Ferrovia Adriatica) thundered along since 1862, until the railway was moved inland in 2005 to make way for the current Via Verde. Although the characteristic building was a symbol of bygone glory for many years, the place breathes pure railway history. It is also the place where the 19th-century industrial revolution and the ancient fishing tradition literally shook hands. The historical significance behind this stop: the backbone of the trabocchi: When workers laid the tracks for this station in the 19th century, they left heavy materials lying around. Resourceful fishermen used the abandoned, heavy railway sleepers, iron bolts, and telegraph cables to anchor nearby trabocchi (like Punta Rocciosa) indestructibly into the seabed. The train thus gave the fishing spiders their iron backbone! Climb to the Goddess of Love: this station was historically the gateway for travelers making pilgrimages to the higher-lying 12th-century San Giovanni in Venere Abbey. Future Tourist Hub! There's a breath of fresh air blowing through the heritage! In May 2026, the final expropriation process will be completed. The province of Chieti is currently transforming this old station into a modern tourist hub and co-working space. Komoot tip: use the ample parking around the old station as the ideal starting point for your bike tour, or pause here to capture the contrasts between the old architecture and the modern cycling infrastructure.

Ideal stopping place to quickly forget your urgency. You can also use this place to refill your water bottles.

Via Verde dei Trabocchi – Cycling on the most beautiful balcony of the Adriatic Sea. If there is one cycling route you must ride in your life, it is the Via Verde dei Trabocchi. This breathtaking cycle path, over 50 kilometers long, is built on the spectacular route of a former railway line, right along the rugged coast of the Italian region of Abruzzo. Because the route is nowhere steep and is completely car-free, it is pure, carefree enjoyment for EVERY type of cyclist. You are literally cycling just 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 stars of the route are the iconic trabocchi: monumental, centuries-old wooden fishing platforms on stilts that hover like giant spiders above the turquoise sea. Once a clever invention of local fishermen, today they are the most unique seafood restaurants you will ever see.

Trabocco Punta Rocciosa – Built with railway secrets. Located on the vibrant coastline of Fossacesia Marina, you'll find Trabocco Punta Rocciosa. This is not only an incredibly popular seafood restaurant where you dine above the crashing waves, but also a place with a fascinating historical secret directly connected to the cycle path you are currently riding! The railway secret of the 'fishing spiders' Did you know that this trabocco owes its rock-solid strength to the old railway line? Before 1862, the fishing platforms were built purely from fragile local wood and rope, causing them to sink into the sea at the slightest storm. When workers laid the railway line right along the coast, they left materials lying around everywhere. Resourceful fishermen saw their chance: they collected the heavy old railway sleepers, iron bolts, and telegraph cables. With these railway remnants, they anchored the trabocchi deep into the rocks. The Via Verde, which you are now cycling on, literally gave this construction its indestructible backbone in the 19th century! Why stop here? 📸 Postcard-perfect composition: the trabocco sits on a rugged, rocky headland (hence the name Rocciosa) with a beautiful little pebble beach right in front. 🍽️ Culinary hotspot: beloved for its authentic fish soups (il brodetto) and the unique experience of seeing the clear sea flowing through the gaps in the wooden floor. 🛠️ Living history: take a close look at the construction; the mix of gnarled tree trunks and industrial railway materials is nowhere as beautifully visible.

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.

The structure seems fragile to me.