This article originally appeared in the December 2023/January 2024 issue of Dream of Italy. Read about what else is new in 2024 here!
Abruzzo Trail’s MAGS Experience is a bikepacking trail that sends you on a path from the Adriatic Sea to Gran Sasso, one of Abruzzo’s boast-worthy national parks. The tour is autonomous, but you set out well-prepared with a GPS and maps along a pre-determined route. The MAGS team shares points of interest to explore on the trails, places to stop to eat, or to rest in Abruzzo—a biker’s paradise.
The beauty of the MAGS Experience is that you can travel at your own pace. If you bike through a Medieval town and wish to leave no stone unturned, you are free to do so. If you are a photographer and want to capture the vibrant colors of an Abruzzo spring and summer, take a break and snap away. The calm wilderness is your backdrop, make of it what you wish!
A June 23, 2024 departure is set for the 270 kilometer (168 miles) ring trail, meaning the starting point is also where the trails finish. All your belongings will be traveling with you from post to post so you must pack light for your bikepacking journey. The two trails are made for gravel or mountain bikes and take most bikers three to four days to complete.
Accommodations and meal points are up to you, but the MAGS team recommends where to stop, even including some surprises along the way. Abruzzese gastronomy is extremely varied, from arrosticini grilled in the mountains to fresh fish from the Adriatic.
Reservations for a spot in the tour open January 10, 2024 and can be made at www.abruzzotrail.it. The price of the tour will be 59€ if you book in January or February, 69€ if you book from March to June. Price includes insurance, an intro to the course, an event package and discounts from partners. (Abruzzo Trail; +39 348 5860910; www.abruzzotrail.it)
—Danielle Abbazia
Photo: Abruzzo Trail MAGS