The best MTB trails around Rocca San Giovanni

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

Abbazia di San Giovanni in Venere – The divine balcony of Abruzzo. Resolutely hit the brakes and swap the coastline for a short, sporty climb up the hill for a moment. Atop the Promontorio di Venere awaits one of Italy's most magical and spiritual places. The Abbey of San Giovanni in Venere. This impressive 12th-century abbey was built on the foundations of an ancient Roman temple dedicated to the goddess of love, Venus. Surrounded by ancient olive groves, this place exudes a serene tranquility that contrasts beautifully with the lively beaches below. Why is this an absolute top highlight? The ultimate Belvedere! Next to the abbey is a beautiful viewing platform. From this 'balcony', you get a bird's-eye view of the perfect crescent bay of the Golfo di Venere and see the trabocchi like little wooden spiders in the turquoise sea. The hidden cloister garden: step inside for free and wander through the idyllic cloister (chiostro). The inner courtyard full of flowers and the graceful arched windows offer welcome coolness on a warm summer day. The mysterious crypt: descend the stairs beneath the altar. In the crypt, you can admire beautiful, well-preserved 13th-century frescoes. Komoot tip: the climb from the Via Verde in Fossacesia Marina to the abbey is short but steep. With an e-bike, you'll be there in no time, but even on your own power, this panorama is worth every drop of sweat. An unforgettable cultural and photo stop!

Abbey of San Giovanni in Venere – The divine balcony of Abruzzo. Resolutely hit the brakes and swap the coastline for a short, sporty climb up the hill for a moment. Atop the Promontorio di Venere awaits one of Italy's most magical and spiritual places. The Abbey of San Giovanni in Venere. This impressive 12th-century abbey was built on the foundations of an ancient Roman temple dedicated to the goddess of love, Venus. Surrounded by ancient olive groves, this place exudes a serene tranquility that contrasts beautifully with the lively beaches below. Why is this an absolute top highlight? The ultimate Belvedere! Next to the abbey is a beautiful viewing platform. From this 'balcony', you look down in bird's-eye view on the perfect crescent bay of the Golfo di Venere and see the trabocchi like small wooden spiders lying in the turquoise sea. The hidden monastery garden: step inside for free and wander through the idyllic cloister (chiostro). The inner courtyard full of flowers and the graceful arched windows offer welcome coolness on a warm summer day. The mysterious crypt: descend the stairs under the altar. In the crypt, you can admire beautiful, well-preserved 13th-century frescoes. Komoot tip: the climb from the Via Verde in Fossacesia Marina to the abbey is short but steep. With an e-bike, you'll be there in no time, but even under your own power, this panorama is truly worth every drop of sweat. An unforgettable cultural and photo stop!

Abbazia di San Giovanni in Venere – The divine balcony of Abruzzo. Brake resolutely here and swap the coastline for a short, sporty climb up the hill. Atop the Promontorio di Venere awaits one of Italy's most magical and spiritual places. The Abbey of San Giovanni in Venere. This impressive 12th-century abbey was built on the foundations of an ancient Roman temple dedicated to the goddess of love, Venus. Surrounded by ancient olive groves, this place exudes a serene tranquility that contrasts beautifully with the lively beaches below. Why is this an absolute top highlight? The Ultimate Belvedere! Near the abbey is a beautiful viewing platform. From this 'balcony', you look down from a bird's-eye view onto the perfect crescent bay of the Golfo di Venere and see the trabocchi like small wooden spiders in the turquoise sea. The hidden cloister garden: step inside for free and wander through the idyllic cloister (chiostro). The inner courtyard full of flowers and the graceful arched windows offer welcome coolness on a warm summer day. The mysterious crypt: descend the stairs under the altar. In the crypt, you can admire beautiful, well-preserved 13th-century frescoes. Komoot tip: the climb from the Via Verde in Fossacesia Marina to the abbey is short but steep. With an e-bike, you'll be there in no time, but even on your own power, this panorama is truly worth every drop of sweat. An unforgettable cultural and photo stop!

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.

Terracotta Art on the Via Verde: "The Ancestor Visit" Right along the Via Verde cycle path, you'll find this fascinating, hidden artwork! The sand-colored terracotta sea turtle was created by the talented artist Victor Fotso Wakam. The work, titled "The Ancestor Visit", honors the maritime nature and reminds passers-by of the fragility of the local ecosystem. On the turtle's back, you can see a detailed tower and sea creatures rising up, creating a beautiful contrast with the rugged cliffs of the coastline. Why is this a unique Komoot highlight? 📸 Perfect composition! This is one of the most artistic photo spots along the route. The sculpture is positioned so that you can photograph it perfectly with the iconic Trabocco Punta Tufano in the background. ⚓ Authentic location. You'll find the turtle on the cliff just above the cozy, historic little harbor of Vallevò. 🎨 Open-air museum: The artwork shows how the Via Verde is increasingly becoming a vibrant cultural route, where nature, history, and modern art merge. 💡 Komoot tip: be careful when taking your photo! The hind leg of the fragile terracotta sculpture has unfortunately already been accidentally damaged in the past by careless tourists. So, admire this beautiful monument with respect.

Costa dei Trabocchi – Cycling between ‘giant wooden spiders’. The Via Verde dei Trabocchi is without a doubt one of the most spectacular cycle paths in Europe! This smoothly asphalted and largely flat path is over 50 kilometers long and reuses an old, abandoned railway line. You literally cycle a stone's throw from the Adriatic Sea, right through cooling historic railway tunnels, past hidden pebble coves (calette) and idyllic little harbors. The absolute stars of this route are the trabocchi. These unique, monumental wooden fishing huts on stilts rise above the turquoise water like gigantic spiders. In the past, they were used by resourceful farming families to fish safely from dry land, and today they house the most exclusive fish restaurants in the Abruzzo region. Why you must cycle this route: 🌊 Continuous sea view: No cars, no stress, just the sound of the surf and the smell of the sea. 🐟 Culinary stops: From a quick espresso in an authentic little harbor to a lavish lunch on a wooden platform floating above the waves. 🛠️ Unique heritage: The route breathes history and brings you face to face with centuries-old fishing traditions. 💡 Komoot tip! Rent an e-bike, bring your swimwear for a refreshing dip in one of the hidden bays, and don't forget to book your fish lunch on a trabocco weeks in advance!

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.