Cycle Cilento & Amalfi Coast

Day 1
The trip starts at our hotel in Palinuro, a lively picturesque village on the southern coast of Cilento, named after the mythical Palinuros, Aeneas' helmsman, who is supposedly buried here. Capo Palinuro is renowned for its outstanding natural beauty and impressive underwater caves.

Day 2
We start early in the morning with a scenic ride along the Southern Coast of the Cilento National Park, the most unspoilt stretch of coastline in southern Italy, offering spectacular views of the Gulf of Policastro. We arrive in the lovely coastal town of Marina di Camerota for a short break and then climb inland to the amazingly located village of San Giovanni a Piro. We cycle around the impressive Mt Bulgheria and to the Mingardo canyon before making our way back to Palinuro.
Distance cycled 55km

Day 3
From Marina di Camerota we follow the beautiful coastline to the peninsula of Capo Palinuro to the mediaeval village of Pisciotta. From here we climb gently to the town of Ascea. En route back to the coast, we cycle past the ancient Greek settlement of Velia with its 'Pink gate', dating back to the 4th century BC, before heading to the plain of Casalvelino, where we stay in a lovely agriturismo.
Distance cycled 40km

Day 4
Today we enjoy one of the finest rides in Italy as we leave the Casalvelino plain behind and cycle through picturesque coastal villages to Acciaroli, a favourite of Ernest Hemingway. We stop for lunch either in Ogliastra Marina or Castellabate, where there is the opportunity for a swim in the sea. In the afternoon we enjoy the final section of our route to Agropoli, a charming town overlooking the sea, and ride to our hotel, just a stone's throw away from the 6th-century BC Greek temples of Paestum.
Distance cycled 54km

Day 5
After a short ride around the ancient city walls of Paestum, we have time to visit its well-preserved temples and amphitheatre, before taking a train to Salerno, the gateaway to the Amalfi Coast. After lunch, we ride one the most scenic coastal roads in the world to Amalfi. Along the way we stop in the fishing village of Cetara, famous for its delicious tuna and anchovies. We then continue to Capo d'Orso, offering breathtaking views over the Amalfi Coast and Capri. From here it's mainly downhill as we cycle past dramatic cliffs and scented lemon terraces to the coastal villages of Maiori and Minori. A short climb takes us to Atrani, with its whitewashed houses and eventually to Amalfi, our base for the last three nights. Amalfi itself has been popular with the British since Edwardian times, when the upper classes viewed the town as a pleasant place to spend their winters. The large Duomo dominates the town with its bright coloured tiles so typical of the region.
Distance cycled 25km

Day 6
This morning we ride along the 'Strada Amalfitana' to Positano, a near vertical town of colourful buildings, then on to the peninsula of Punta Campanella for fantastic views of Capri. We then cycle to the charming town of Sorrento and continue to the coastal villages of Sant'Agnello, Piano and Meta overlooking the splendid Bay of Naples and Mt Vesuvius, before climbing inland to the Colli di San Pietro and make our way back to Amalfi in time for the sunset.
Distance cycled 56km

Day 7
A day off the bike to relax in Amalfi. Alternatively, you could visit glorious Ravello or take a boat trip to the island of Capri.

Day 8
The trip finished in Amalfi after breakfast.