Transmurgiana, 8-day Self-guided bike trip in Puglia

We have thought of a several-day program for those who want to spend more time cycling our Puglia.

The itinerary takes place on the roads with low car traffic, but if you like dirt roads, ask us the version with some off-road stages

Self-guided trip

Departure calendar
Every Friday of April, May, June, September, October (in March and November on demand).
Duration 8 days
Difficulty 3/5
Self-Guide trip Price: from 700,00 €
Guided trip Price: ON DEMAND!

Puglia by bike among nature, history and charm.

You will start from the Itria Valley, discovering its fascinating villages; then move to the wonderful Alta Murgia National Park with a stop outside the Region in Matera. In the same bike trip, you will ideally combine three UNESCO sites: Alberobello, famous for its Trulli, Matera, the ancient city carved into the rock, and the mystical site of Castel del Monte. The journey finishes on the coast of the beautiful city of Trani, “The Pearl of the Adriatic”, at the foot of one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Europe.

Itinerary specifications

Length of daily itineraries: 50 km mainly on asphalt roads with very low traffic

DAY 1 RIDING: Stage lenght: about 62 km –  positive Elevation gain: 617 m

DAY 2 RIDING: Stage lenght: about 62 km –  positive Elevation gain: 410 m

DAY 3 RIDING: Stage lenght: about 25 km –  positive Elevation gain: 209 m (if you want to visit the Pulo of Altamura, you need to add 20 km more, round trip, with 119 m of positive Elevation gain)

DAY 4 RIDING: Stage lenght: about 70 km –  positive Elevation gain: 744 m

DAY 5 RIDING: Stage lenght: about 50 km –  positive Elevation gain: 308 m

DAY 6 RIDING: Stage lenght: about 25 km –  positive Elevation gain: 86 m

Type of activity: this is not a sport ride, it doesn’t matter who arrives first…;) Explore the land and learn Murgian culture!

Ask for an e-bike.

Technical organization: AuthenticPugliaTours.
For travel terms & conditions click here.

Price of Self-Guided version in Low Season (March, November): 700 euros 

Price of Self-Guided version in Peak Season (April, May, June, September, October): 750 euros

Comfort accommodation supplement*: € 160 (*superior category accommodations)

Single room supplement: € 30,00 per night

Single traveler supplement: € 100,00

Price of Guided version: ON DEMAND!

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WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE SELF-GUIDED VERSION

  • 7 overnights: in Agriturismo, B&B, or Hotel (3*).
  • 7 Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer (you will cycle without your luggage and you will find them at the accommodation).
  • Preloaded GPS track of the itineraries on your smartphone.
  • Information document on the places crossed during the trip.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED IN THE SELF-GUIDED VERSION

  • Anything not explicitly specified in the “what’s included” section

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE GUIDED VERSION:

  • 7 overnights: 1 in Glamping bell tent and 6 in Agritourism.
  • 1 cooking class using a camping kitchen.
  • 1 picnic and 2 typical products tastings.
  •  Nature guide as Tour Leader for the whole trip (AIGAE certified).
  •  Second Guide following (from 11 participants upwards).
  • Luggage transfer (you will cycle without your luggage and you will find them at the accommodation).
  • Guided tours: Underground Gravina in Puglia, Castel del Monte from the outside. During the trip, the guide will tell you all about the area.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED IN THE GUIDED VERSION:

  • Anything not explicitly specified in the “what’s included” section

OPTIONS:

  • Hybrid bike rental: € 100
  • E-MTB rental: € 190
  • Pannier rental: € 25,00 (each)
  • Helmet rental: € 10,00

You can choose to travel with an experienced guide by your side or by yourself, either way we will always be ready to provide support. Below is a brief comparison of the two options.

Guided mode

  • Our staff of guides will guide you throughout the trip, telling you about the Murgia and offering you support.
  • You will participate in experiential workshops.
  • You will prepare dinner during a Cooking class led by an expert chef.
  • You will sleep one night in a Glamping.
  • You will buy delicious typical products in fruit and vegetable markets and shops.
  • We will move your luggage from stage to stage to make you pedal lightly.

Self-guided mode

  • You can travel with complete autonomy.
  • We will provide you with the GPS tracks of the Itinerary that you will be able to follow on your smartphone.
  • You will receive advice on what to see along the way and where to buy the best local products.
  • We will move your luggage from stage to stage to make you pedal lightly.

DAY 1
Bari

Independent arrival in Bari, accommodation in the hotel, meeting with the tour leader, and briefing.

Let’s start warming up your legs with a bicycle tour of “Bari Vecchia”  the charming Old Town of the Apulian main city!

DAY 2
Bari – Valle d’Itria

We will reach by train the charming town of Putignano, very famous for the Carnival parade that takes place every year. We will start cycling among centuries-old olive trees, Trulli, ancient fortified farms (the famous Apulian Masserie), and wonderful villages: this is the fascinating Valle d’Itria. The first stop will be in Alberobello, the capital of the Trulli and a UNESCO site. Later we will cross the village of Locorotondo, a tangle of alleys adorned with colorful flowers. The third step will be Martina Franca, welcoming, graceful and elegant with its noble palaces. The last stop in the villages of the valley will be in Noci, with its unique white houses and its “Gnostre”, the courtyards where it will not be difficult to meet children playing happily.

Overnight in Noci.

DAY 3
Noci – Matera

We will cross the border between Puglia and Basilicata, surprisingly encountering different landscapes. The end of the daily ride is Matera, the city of the Sassi, a UNESCO heritage site. It is one of the oldest towns in the world, carved into rock, and inhabited continuously since prehistoric times. Today this small town in Basilicata is rich in cultural ferment and, despite the enormous media prominence obtained following the choice of the city as a set of Hollywood productions, it remains a sincere place, inhabited by welcoming and simple people.

Overnight in Matera.

DAY 4
Matera
Altamura

From Matera, we will return to Puglia, in the Alta Murgia National Park, the largest pseudo-steppe in Italy, unique with its views of rolling landscapes and  UNESCO GeoPark aspiring for the international importance of its geological sites. The first city we will meet will be Altamura, with its old town made up of an intricate maze of alleys and cloisters (small squares) embellished by the imposing Federiciana Cathedral. Altamura is famous for the  Altamura PDO Bread and for the ovens that have been producing it since ancient times. Right here we will visit the craft workshop of our partner “Pecore Attive” where we will discover the secrets of sheep wool processing.  After the visit we will do shopping together, guiding you in the purchase of dinner ingredients at the small shops in the center and in the fruit and vegetable street market; you will get in touch with the locals, feeling yourself less of a tourist and more a traveler. Leaving the urban center we will dive back into the wild nature of the Park to reach the Pulo di Altamura, one of the most important geosites of the National Park. You may be wondering: what is Pulo? When you see it, you will immediately think of the huge crater of a meteorite, but no!… but we don’t anticipate anything…

After the Pulo, we will reach the “Fattoria della Mandorla” where we have the base camp with our Glamping tents equipped with all comforts. Here we will taste the almond-based vegan cheese, relax, and towards sunset, guided by the local chef of “Terre Selvagge”, we will learn the Apulian Kitchen secrets, preparing dinner with our camp kitchens equipped with everything you need!

Overnight in Glamping tents.

DAY 5
Gravina in Puglia – Poggiorsini

From Altamura, we will cycle towards the town of Gravina in Puglia, with a pitstop at our Partners in Masseria La Calcara, where we will have our packed lunch based on local products and we will let you explain how the “sheep knots” are prepared (delicious intertwined mozzarella). Once in Gravina, we will visit the old town,  with ancient buildings and beautiful churches, overlooking a canyon inside which the Gravina stream flows.

Here we will visit the Underground Gravina, a second city hidden under the surface… very very cool!!

Afterward, we will reach the small town of Poggiorsini where we will refresh with a good craft beer at the Ostuni Brewery.

After the food and wine pit stop we will cycle to the nearby “invisible” Garagnone Castle; why invisible? Our guide will tell you the story of this mystical and ancient place…

The ride will continue to Agriturismo Coppa an ancient and comfortable farmhouse in the middle of the National Park, surrounded by nature, away from everything and everyone. Here we will learn to prepare “handmade pasta”, have dinner and spend the night.

 

DAY 6
Castel del Monte – Ruvo di Puglia – Trani

The sixth day includes a ride on the First Cycle Route of the National Park that will lead you to an ancient necropolis ( and then to the most famous manor in Puglia: the Unesco site of Castel del Monte.

From the Castle, we will cycle downhill through the “premurgia”, a rural area full of vineyards and orchards, to the town of Ruvo di Puglia, with one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Puglia.

Overnight in Ruvo di Puglia.

DAY 7
Trani

In the morning, the last downhill towards the coast with arrival in Trani, the “Pearl of the Adriatic”, famous in Europe for the Romanesque Cathedral…almost on the sea.

Free time in the afternoon.

Final fish dinner!

Overnight in Trani.

DAY 8

Check out and end of services.

DAY 1
Bari

Independent arrival in Bari. Check-in at the accommodation and bike delivery.

On this day it will be possible to opt for a bicycle tour of “Bari Vecchia”, the charming ancient village of the Apulian capital.

DAY 2
Bari – Valle d’Itria

You will reach the charming town of Putignano by train, very famous for the Carnival parade that takes place every year. You will start the ride among centuries-old olive groves, Trulli, ancient fortified farms, and wonderful villages: all this is the fascinating Valle d’Itria. The first stop will be in the famous Alberobello, the capital of the Trulli and a UNESCO site. Then you will cross the village of Locorotondo, alleys tangle adorned with colorful flowers. The third step will be Martina Franca, welcoming, graceful and elegant with its noble palaces. The last stop in the city will be Noci, with the unique white houses and the “gnostre”, the courts where it will not be difficult to meet children playing.

Overnight in Noci.

DAY 3
Noci – Matera

Pedaling you will cross the border between Puglia and Basilicata, admiring different amazing landscapes. The stage of the day is Matera, the city of the Sassi, a UNESCO heritage site. It is one of the oldest cities in the world, continuously inhabited since prehistoric times, up to the present day. Today this small town in Basilicata is rich in cultural ferment and, despite the enormous media prominence following the Hollywood productions, it remains a sincere place, inhabited by welcoming people.
Overnight in Matera.

DAY 4
Matera  Altamura

From Matera you will ride back to Puglia, more precisely in the Alta Murgia National Park, the largest pseudo steppe in Italy, unique with its infinite landscapes. The first city you will encounter will be Altamura, with its historic center characterized by an intricate maze of alleys and claustri (small squares) and embellished by the imposing Apulian Roman Cathedral, built by Emperor Federico II. Altamura is famous for the famous Altamura Bread and the ovens that have been producing it since ancient times.

Not so far from the city center, you could reach the Pulo di Altamura, one of the most important geosites of the National Park. You may be wondering: what is Pulo? When you see it, you will immediately think of the huge meteorite crater, but no! We don’t anticipate anything, you will enjoy the discovery!

Overnight in Altamura

DAY 5
Gravina in Puglia – Poggiorsini

From Altamura you will cycle to the charming town of Gravina in Puglia. Its ancient center, dotted with ancient buildings and beautiful churches, overlooks an amazing canyon. Here you can optionally visit the underground city (La Gravina Sotterranea).

Afterward, you will reach the small town of Poggiorsini, to admire the “invisible” Castle of Garagnone; why invisible? It is a mystical and ancient place and by reading our story you will be able to see what is no longer there…

The ride will continue to the Agriturismo where you will have dinner and spend the night.

DAY 6
Cave di Bauxite – Castel del Monte – Ruvo di Puglia – Trani

During this day you will ride on the First Cycle Route of the National Park, which will lead you to an ancient necropolis and then to the most famous manor in Puglia: Castel del Monte, a UNESCO site.

If you have the strength you can reach the Bauxite Mines, adding 25 km to your daily itinerary (with E-Bikes it’s very easy).

From the Castle, you will move downhill through the “premurgia”, a rural area full of vineyards and orchards, to the town of Ruvo di Puglia, a charming old town, with one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Puglia.

Overnight in Ruvo di Puglia.

DAY 7

Trani

In the morning, the last downhill towards the coast with arrival in Trani, the “Pearl of the Adriatic”, famous in Europe for the Romanesque Cathedral…almost on the sea.

Overnight in Trani.

DAY 8

Check out and end of services.

 

Every Friday in April, May, June, September, and October (in March and November on demand).

You can find upcoming dates or request a tour for your preferred dates in the registration form.

Self-guided trip

Departure calendar
Every Friday of April, May, June, September, October (in March and November on demand).
Duration 8 days
Difficulty 3/5
Self-guide trip Price: from 700,00 €
Guided trip Price: ON DEMAND!
Fill in the fields in the form and submit your request, you will be contacted as soon as possible!

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