THE TRAIL
THE TRACKS
3 loop routes, starting and ending in Potenza, a suitable logistical centre in terms of hospitality and railway service: it is connected to Naples, Foggia and Taranto. Known as the 'vertical city' or the 'city of a hundred stairs', Potenza is the gateway to the Apennines, which means that the trail starts uphill!
The tracks evolve continuously : we are working to provide the best experience possible.
Long route
- 710 km
- 15.800 D+
- 70% gravel and dirt road - 30% asphalt
A true adventure, discovering the incredible variety of landscapes in Basilicata. A grand-tour leading from Vulture area, the volcanic land of DOC Aglianico wine, to Matera, the eternal city and UNESCO heritage site, and then plunges into the clayey deserts of Calanchi (the gullies), drawn by the wrinkles of time. A considerable altitude gain allows to reach the Pollino National Park, the largest protected area in Italy, and kingdom of the loricate pine, a unique and rare arboreal species. After having pedalled on a former railway route and crossed the Val d'Agri, it is time to regain the peaks of the Apennines. Ideal for no-limit bikers.
Medium route
- 515 km
- 12.300 D+
- 60% gravel and dirt road 40% asphalt
Equally challenging in terms of gradients and off-road, unlike the long track, it does not include the Vulture and Matera area, but offers the chance of exploring the central-southern area of Basilicata and discovering how the enchanting rocky and green landscape of the Dolomiti Lucane turns into the land of gullies. The trail passes through towns rich in history and charm such as Tursi with the Rabatana, its incredible Arab quarter, before climbing the heights of the Pollino National Park. Ideal for those seeking the right compromise between adventure and shorter trip times.
Short route
- 317 km
- 7.100 D+
- 50% gravel and dirt road 50% asphalt
A full immersion in the deep heart of Basilicata allowing, in a few kilometres, to explore wonderful places. Continuous ups and downs lead to Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa, set in the stone peaks of the Lucanian Dolomites. Through woods and hills, the trail creeps into the clayey scenery of the gullies of Craco, the ghost town, and Aliano, the place of confinement of the writer Carlo Levi. The route continues back into the Apennine woods to re-join the other two tracks. Ideal for those who do not have much time, but do not want to give up exploring this varied and silent land.
TRAILER
THE BASILICATA BIKE TRAIL
It's the first unsupported adventure in the region. The trail explores the entire region, with a great variety of roads, cultures and technical difficulties, through rural landscapes, authentic villages, ancient sheep-tracks, transhumance routes, national parks, high-altitude forests and gullies, in a sequence of ever-changing scenarios... in only one word, this is Basilicata, a land with multiple charming faces.
The Basilicata Bike Trail is a full immersion in its essence, an intimate experience by bike. The participants will be free to interpret the trail according to their own tastes and needs: it can be lived as a total outdoor experience with a tent and a sleeping bag, or a more comfortable trip, by stopping in the generous and hospitable accommodation facilities, which are not always widespread distributed.
The trail passes through villages and several hamlets. Many other villages are only skimmed by the trail. It can be useful to make short deviations to stop and restore: a couple of trail segments go through natural areas without encountering villages for about 80-90 kilometres.
The tracks are designed to allow a better organization of logistics: all the loop routes (long, medium, short), starting and ending in Potenza (819 m a. s. l.), the highest capital city in Italy with a train station.
Once they receive the gpx track, participants will be autonomous and will organise themselves in full freedom, with no time limits (see regulations). There will be no winners, but only finishers.