We arrive in Matera, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, known for its Sassi, ancient dwellings carved directly into limestone cliffs. After settling in, we spend the afternoon on bike fitting and a technical briefing to get ready for the days ahead. The evening is free to explore Matera’s historic center and try local Lucanian cuisine on our own.
Accommodation: Hotel in Matera
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This week-long Basilicata bike tour crosses southern Italy from sea to sea, starting in Matera's UNESCO-listed Sassi and ending on the cliffs of Maratea. Along the way, we descend into the Lucanian countryside, pass the clay badlands of the Calanchi, and trace the ancient route of Magna Graecia toward the Ionian coast. The real test comes in Pollino National Park, Italy's largest, where forested climbs lead through small mountain villages before the road finally drops toward the Tyrrhenian Sea. Let’s cycle Basilicata coast to coast together.
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We leave the rugged Murgia plateau behind and ride into the heart of the Lucanian countryside, where stony highlands slowly give way to greener terrain. The highlight of the day is the Calanchi, vast clay badlands with a lunar, otherworldly look and a silence unlike anywhere else in the region. We spend the night in a masseria, a traditional local farmhouse.
Meals: Breakfast, light lunch, dinner
Cycling: 64 km (40 mi)
Accommodation: Masseria in the countryside
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Today’s ride traces the ancient history of Magna Graecia as we descend toward the coast, reaching Policoro, once the Greek colony of Heraclea in the 5th century B.C. We recommend a stop at the Archaeological Museum of the Siritide to see artifacts from this ancient past. We finish the day at a seaside hotel, with the golden sands and open horizon of the Ionian Sea marking the end of this first leg.
Meals: Breakfast, light lunch, dinner
Cycling: 56 km (35 mi)
Accommodation: Seaside hotel
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Leaving Policoro, we cycle through the orchards of the Ionian coast before starting the climb toward the forests and peaks of Pollino, the largest national park in Italy. It’s a moderately difficult stage that ends with a strenuous 10 km (6 mi) climb. Dinner is on our own this evening.
Meals: Breakfast
Cycling: 85 km (53 mi)
Accommodation: Hotel in Terranova
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Widely considered the most fascinating stage of the tour, today is also its biggest challenge. After a difficult climb, we enter the woods of the massif, passing through small villages and wide valleys en route to the towns of San Severino Lucano and Viggianello. Dinner is on our own tonight, and we settle into a warm, cozy mountain inn.
Meals: Breakfast
Cycling: 48 km (30 mi)
Accommodation: Mountain inn
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From Rotonda, we follow a scenic cycle path built along an abandoned railway line, passing Lago Sirino before crossing the Valle del Noce toward the Tyrrhenian coast. We settle into our accommodation in the historic village of Maratea, known as the “Goddess of the Sea” for its dramatic cliffs and crystal-clear waters. Dinner is on our own this evening.
Meals: Breakfast
Cycling: 80 km (50 mi)
Accommodation: Hotel or B&B in Maratea
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After breakfast, we transfer back to Matera, marking the end of our Basilicata bike tour. Airport transfers are arranged for the departure back home.
Meals: Breakfast
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Included:
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- An experienced, local cycling guide with extensive knowledge of the area
- 7-day Basilicata bike tour (5 days of cycling)
- Accommodation for 6 nights in hotels, masserias, and mountain inns (double occupancy)
- Most meals: 6 breakfasts, 2 light lunches, 6 dinners
- Airport transfers
- Van support and luggage transfers
- Technical and emergency assistance
- GPX tracks
Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout):
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- Single occupancy room
- Gravel, road, or e-bike rental
- Hybrid bike rental
- Helmet hire
Not included:
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- Flights
- Beverages
- Entrance fees
- Medical/luggage insurance
- Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section above
- Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout
- Guide gratuities — optional
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Good fitness is required for this Basilicata bike tour. Daily distances reach up to 85 km (53 mi), with a demanding 10 km (6 mi) climb on day 4 and a full mountain stage through Pollino National Park on day 5.
The route works for road, gravel, or e-bikes, and while a few days are easier rolling terrain, the climbing days ask for real stamina on the bike.
Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more Italy bike tours here!
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Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
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- Cycling trousers — mandatory
- Comfortable cycling clothes for warm and cooler conditions
- Spare clothes for layering
- Lightweight cycling shoes
- Cycling gloves
- Waterproof rain jacket
- Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
- A small day bag for essentials (luggage transfer takes care of the rest)
- Sunhat and sunglasses
- Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, tissues, etc.)
- Camera — optional, but recommended
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
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Group sizes and pricing
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- For this Basilicata bike tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 10:1.
- It takes a minimum of 4 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 12 participants.
A Basilicata bike tour can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
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- If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
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The price for this Basilicata bike tour is based on twin-share rooms, but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee. You can add it to your booking at checkout.
Solo travelers are welcome—they can either share a room with another same-gender solo traveler at no extra cost, or guarantee a private room by paying a single occupancy fee.
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The starting point of your Basilicata bike tour is Matera. To get there, most people fly into Bari Airport (BRI). From there, you’ll be picked up and transferred to Matera.
You will meet your guide in Matera on Day 1.
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We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
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