The best MTB trails around Vasto

The longest and most pristine pebble beach of the reserve. Spiaggia di Mottagrossa is located in the western part of the Riserva Naturale Regionale di Punta Aderci. While the beach at the Punta Aderci headland is often a bit busier, at Mottagrossa you will find pure tranquility and a vast, wild landscape. The beach stretches for kilometers and consists entirely of large pebbles and stones (ciottoli), bordered by an impressive wall of clay and sand cliffs covered with typical Mediterranean vegetation. Along the top of the cliff runs a beautiful, elevated panoramic path. This path is perfect for gravel biking and hiking, and offers a constantly amazing view of the Adriatic Sea.

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.

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.

Nature trail Punta Aderci – Wild gravel paradise along the coast 🌊🚴 Here you cycle through the wildest and most untouched part of the Via Verde dei Trabocchi. The unpaved Sentiero Natura winds through the protected nature reserve Riserva Naturale di Punta Aderci, past cliffs, golden fields, and the azure Adriatic Sea. The gravel stretch takes you to spectacular viewpoints, where you overlook the iconic Trabocco di Punta Aderci and the impressive coastline. On clear days, you can even see the peaks of the Majella mountains on the horizon. A unique mix of wild nature, sea views, and adventure. Perfect for gravel bikes, mountain bikes, and sturdy e-bikes. Don't forget your camera and bring plenty of water, as there are no facilities along the way.

Alessandro Fantini Mural: A Tribute to a Cycling Legend 🚴‍♂️🎨Near the beach of Spiaggia Ripari Bardella, you will find this impressive mural. The artwork was created in April 2023 by street artists Nicola Di Totto (Dueneko) and Lorenzo Nicoletti (Skugio). This was done especially for the Grand Départ of the Giro d'Italia 2023 on the Costa dei Trabocchi.Who was Alessandro Fantini?The sprint king of Abruzzo: "Sandrino" Fantini was born in 1932 in nearby Fossacesia.Great successes: As an explosive sprinter, he won no fewer than seven stages in the Giro d'Italia and two stages in the Tour de France during his professional career (1955–1961).Tragic end: In 1961, during a mass sprint in the Tour of Germany, he crashed heavily, passing away at the young age of 29.What else do you see here?Right next to Fantini's portrait, you will find the colourful, multi-metre-long artwork "Dal primo all'ultimo" (From the first to the last). This mural depicts a compact cycling peloton stretching for a good 60 metres along the wall.

Via Verde dei Trabocchi Cycle along the sparkling Adriatic Sea on the Via Verde dei Trabocchi, one of Italy's most beautiful coastal routes. This largely flat cycle path follows a former railway line and takes you past beaches, cliffs, and the iconic trabocchi: ancient wooden fishing platforms that rise above the sea like giant works of art. A route to be enjoyed to the fullest, kilometer after kilometer.

Baruccio in a wonderful location with excellent raw tuna! Nice guys...

Taken at the beginning of June, a wonderful place and the best time to tackle it. I already miss it 🙁