Gargano itineraries bike & hike in Puglia
Discover the itineraries of the Gargano National Park in Puglia with us!
Mooveng specializes in organizing green tours, with low environmental impact.
We offer itineraries that allow you to visit the Gargano with many options: by bike, on foot and/or by canoe.
Find out more about the services you can book (click here).
Our staff is entirely local, we love our land and we can't wait for you to enjoy it too, of course.
We have created this table of contents that will make your navigation easier and more intuitive.
- Gargano Peninsula, what to do and what to see
- The Gargano coast
- The UNESCO sites on Gargano (Monte Sant'Angelo, Foresta Umbra)
- The hinterland of Gargano
- Gargano, land of food and wine
- Multi-day green itineraries on Gargano in Puglia
- How to reach Gargano
- Mooveng Services
- Bike & Hike Friendly Tourist Facilities
Ready to discover this paradise? Let's go!!!
Gargano Peninsula, what to do and what to see
The Gargano National Park is located in the north of Puglia and is a paradise for nature lovers.
Thank its almost 120 thousand hectares, the park extends from the sea to the mountains, and is
variety of landscapes makes the Gargano unique.
In just a few kilometers, you can visit a variety of panoramas and microenvironments that are very different from each other, wonderful beaches, mountains, valleys, lakes.
This variety represents the perfect habitat for numerous species of plants and animals.
Just imagine that in Gargano, for example, 90 species of spontaneous orchids grow. This is a real record!
And then, the Foresta Umbra with its majestic beech trees, just a few kilometers from the sea: a rarity.
In the Gargano Park, you will discover magnificent coastal towns, 2 UNESCO sites, a hinterland rich in history and traditions linked to rural culture.
These are places where time seems to have stopped, with slow rhythms, scents and flavors that taste good, as they used to do once upon a time.
If you are a cycling enthusiast, you can ride the GAG (Gargano Loop by bike).
The GAG is a bike itinerary in the Gargano peninsula, a wonderful opportunity to organize a fantastic bike holiday
and visit an unexpected side of Puglia, immersed in unspoiled nature, with breathtaking views of the sea, mountains, lakes, forests...and much more.
Click here and discover the Gargano by cycling the GAG.
The Via Francigena del Sud, with its routes to do by bike and on foot, passes right through these wonderful places.
Click here and discover Gargano by taking part in one of our bike tours.
These are perfect places for a relaxing holiday whether by bike and/or on foot in Puglia, in the Gargano National Park.
The Gargano Coast
The Gargano Coast extends for more than 200 km of breathtaking landscapes and bays overlooking the sea.
In the South Gargano, from Macchia (near Manfredonia) to Vieste, passing through Mattinata, the coast is mainly composed of small pebble bays surrounded by cliffs and sea caves and stacks (faraglioni).
In the North Gargano, between Vieste and Cagnano Varano, instead, passing through Peschici and Rodi Garganico, we can admire large beaches of very fine sand, with shallow waters.
If you travel along the road from Vieste to Peschici, you will notice the Trabucchi, ancient "giant" wooden fishing machines, still active and open to visitors.
There are more than thirty trabucchi in Gargano and if you want, it will be possible to organize a guided tour with a fishing demonstration by reservation.
The proceeds of this experience go to an association that reinvests the funds to take care of these "open-air sea museums".
Vieste, the pearl of Gargano
Vieste is the most famous location in Gargano, known as the Pearl of Gargano.
The beaches of Vieste are sandy, with shallow waters.
The historic center of Vieste is located "overhanging" the sea and offers the possibility of breathtaking photographs.
Among the unmissable places in Vieste we mention the Staircase of Love, decorated with the love words of the song "Cristalda e Pizzomunno" by Max Gazzè, inspired to a local legend.
Don't miss a visit to the Cathedral of Vieste (in Apulian Romanesque style) and the Castle (by reservation only).
Find out more about Vieste by clicking here.
Vieste is the queen of Apulian tourism in the summer, but in other periods of the season it has a quiet and relaxing soul.
They can be an ideal starting point or passage of your holiday on the Gargano.
There are wonderful cycling routes around Vieste, not to be missed if you want to visit Gargano Peninsula and plan your cycling holiday in Apulia.
The coast of Mattinata
Moving south, towards Mattinata, the coast changes incredibly, offering us the opportunity to admire wonderful views.
Just think that all the most famous photographs of Gargano are taken in this stretch of coast.
We recommend spending a day in a canoe to discover the beauties of this coast, slowly.
After traveling this panoramic road we arrive at Mattinata, a small town, famous for the production of olive oil and for the large quantity of wild orchids present in the area in spring.
We recommend you not to miss "Orchidays" orchid festival, in April and "Fextra" olive oil festival, in October.
In the Mattinata area there are numerous routes for bike and trekking lovers.
Find out more about Mattinata by clicking here.
One of Mooveng's physical locations is located right in the center of Mattinata, an ideal place to start your green vacation on Gargano.
Mattinata is one of the perfect starting points for exploring the many circular cycling routes of the Gargano.
It will also be possible to organize a day with the transparent canoe departing from the Mattinatella bay, from June to August.
The coast of Macchia
We head towards Manfredonia to discover the wonderful coast of Macchia, also known as the Marina (t.i. the seaside resort) of the city of Monte Sant'Angelo.
This is a wild coast, where you can discover wonderful coves with sand, pebbles and chianche (flat rocks used for sunbathing).
The Macchia coast is full of centuries-old olive trees and famous for the production of extra virgin olive oil.
Visits to the oil mills will be possible to taste the "green gold of Gargano".
Find out more about Macchia by clicking here.
The Coastline of Macchia with its cycle path, offers various possibilities for bike rides.
The religious path of Scannamugliera, used by the St. Michael's pilgrims, connects Macchia to Monte Sant'Angelo in 3 hours walk.
Peschici
Taking the road that leads north from Vieste, we arrive in the splendid Peschici.
It is an ancient fishing village, today a popular tourist destination for its beauty.
Peschici literally "rests" on a plateau, overlooking the sea.
On the coast of Peschici you can find some Trabucchi working, transformed into restaurants.
What a view and what goodness!!! I recommend, always book to be sure to find a place!
Find out more about Peschici by clicking here.
The beaches of Peschici are sandy, more "intimate" than those of Vieste, not to be missed.
Rodi Garganico
The town of Rodi Garganico is famous for its citrus fruit production and boasts sandy beaches with shallow waters, "levante" and "ponente".
The historic center of Rodi Garganico, climbs up a hill overlooking the sea, reachable on foot in a few minutes.
Learn more about Rodi Garganico by clicking here.
In the summer, ferries depart from Rodi Garganico to visit the Tremiti Islands.
Cagnano Varano
Cagnano Varano is located near Lake Varano, the largest coastal lake in Italy.
This town is famous for the production of mussels, including San Michele oysters.
The lake is full of salt water, formed by the sea, but receives spring water from the nearby mountains.
The beaches of Cagnano are sandy, a few km from the town center.
The historic center of Cagnano Varano called "u Cavut" is made up of a network of narrow flowered streets and white houses.
Find out more about Cagnano Varano by clicking here.
Don't miss a visit to the cave of San Michele in Cagnano Varano.
There are wonderful cycling routes around the lake, not to be missed if you want to plan your cycling holiday in Gargano in Puglia.
Manfredonia
Manfredonia is called the Gargano door and is one of the oldest and most historic in Puglia.
The name comes from King Manfredi, who founded it a few steps from the now abandoned Siponto.
Manfredonia is the most populous municipality of Gargano, located on a coast with fine sand.
The singer-songwriter Lucio Dalla, originally from this city, has written numerous songs dedicating them to this town in Puglia.
Find out more about Manfredonia by clicking here.
The city of Manfredonia is located in the territory once occupied by the Dauni, a people of Greek origin who are still used to define the inhabitants of Manfredonia.
The UNESCO sites of Gargano
Gargano has 2 of the 4 UNESCO sites in Puglia.
In addition to the Trulli of Alberobello and Castel del Monte, there are the Basilica of San Michele in Monte Sant'Angelo and the Umbra Forest.
Monte Sant'Angelo and the Basilica of San Michele
The first UNESCO site in Gargano is the Basilica of San Michele in Monte Sant'Angelo, the church where the cult of Michael began in the West.
It is a church, located in a cave, underground and to access it you have to go down 87 steps.
The Basilica has been visited over the centuries by Popes, kings, princes, crusaders and millions of pilgrims.
Monte Sant'Angelo is one of the oldest and most historic cities in Puglia, located over 800 meters above sea level.
The thousand-year-old historic center Rione Junno, composed of thousands of white houses has been chosen as the setting for numerous famous films.
Don't miss a visit to the Norman Swabian Aragonese Angevin Castle, and the nearby Pulsano Abbey, 9 km from the city center.
Find out more about Monte Sant'Angelo by clicking here.
The Pulsano Abbey with its 24 hermitages is an ideal place for hikers and nature lovers.
These are areas rich in history and with hundreds of kilometers of mixed asphalt and/or dirt paths to do on foot or by bike.
The Umbra Forest
The second of the UNESCO sites of Gargano is represented by the Umbra Forest and its ancient beech forests.
It is an environment where over the centuries man has not acted in any way, leaving us as a "legacy" this virgin forest, a few KM from the sea.
Although we are in southern Italy, at a maximum height of 850 meters above sea level, in the Umbra Forest grow luxuriant trees that normally grow at different heights, from 1800 meters above sea level and above.
In the Umbra Forest all plants are characterized by macrosomatism, a phenomenon thanks to which they grow 30% larger than average.
The Umbra Forest is now a paradise for nature lovers completely free, with hundreds of kilometers of dirt paths to travel on foot or by bike.
Click here and discover the Umbra Forest by taking part in one of our bike tours.
Inside it is possible to spot numerous species of animals free in nature, including foxes, roe deer, wolves.
Find out more about the Umbra Forest by clicking here.
At the central point of the Forest, near the information point, there is a deer reserve, always open to visitors.
The Gargano hinterland
In addition to Monte Sant'Angelo, the Gargano hinterland offers numerous ideas that are worth a visit.
Ready to discover? Let's go:
San Giovanni Rotondo
San Giovanni Rotondo is the place where Saint Pio is buried, which has become an unmissable stop for believers from all over the world.
The main attraction of this town is the small convent of Padre Pio, which is located in the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie.
Inside this church you will find the crypt and a small museum where you can visit the cell where Padre Pio spent his life.
In 2004, the new and sumptuous church of San Pio was built by the world-famous architect Renzo Piano.
Find out more about San Giovanni Rotondo by clicking here.
San Giovanni Rotondo is located in the middle of the Via Francigena del Sud and represents one of the points not to be missed on your holiday in Gargano.
Vico del Gargano
Vico del Gargano is part of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy and is famous for its oranges, awarded the IGP mark.
The most evocative part of Vico del Gargano is certainly the historic center, a labyrinth of alleys to be discovered, surrounded by walls, which over the centuries have been incorporated into the city fabric.
Here you can find the vicole del bacio (alley of the Kiss).
It is the narrowest alley in Vico del Gargano, impossible to pass in 2 ... so let it be a kiss!
Find out more about Vico del Gargano by clicking here.
The patronal feast of Vico del Gargano is San Valentino and is celebrated on February 14, as per tradition.
For the occasion Vico is transformed and the alleys of the historic center are filled with hearts and oranges, symbols of Vico.
San Marco in Lamis
Situated at 530 metres above sea level, San Marco in Lamis is an important stop if you visit the Gargano Park.
The name derives from the saint and from "Lamae", bodies of water in marshy areas.
The history of the city is intertwined with that of the sanctuary of San Matteo, whose building, at first glance, can be mistaken for an ancient fortress.
Thanks to the presence of this sanctuary and the nearby one of Santa Maria di Stignano, the city is a destination for continuous pilgrimages.
San Marco, in fact, is one of the stops on the Via Francigena del Sud.
San Marco in Lamis is also known for its Easter Friday events that culminate with the procession of the “fracchie”, enormous wooden cones, made with large trunks held together by iron hoops, lit and circulated during the night on special carts during the procession of the Madonna Addolorata.
Carpino
Being a predominantly agricultural town, Carpino bases its economy on the production of vegetables and oil.
In fact, Carpino produces large quantities of EVO oil and has been called the “City of Oil”.
No less important is the cultivation of broad beans, a product protected by Slow Food and the Gargano National Park.
Carpino is a land of popular music, the best example of which is the Cantori di Carpino, a historic group with unique musicality, not to be missed.
Ischitella
Small village that stands on a promontory inside the Gargano National Park, also known for being the birthplace of one of the most important Italian jurists: Pietro Giannone.
Ischitella is located in a strategic place from which you can admire incredible views of the Tremiti Islands and Lake Varano.
The main activities of the city today is made up of agriculture, integrated with fishing and commercial activities.
Ischitella, with Vico and Rodi Garganico, is one of the most important centers for the production of citrus fruits in Gargano.
Gargano, Land of Food and Wine
If you cycle along the Gargano Peninsula you will be able to taste the many culinary specialties of the Gargano National Park.
The Gargano National Park, given its morphology and the presence of very different environments, can count on numerous gastronomic specialties that range between sea and land.
Gargano cuisine therefore offers the possibility of enjoying numerous traditional peasant and/or seafood dishes.
Many farms produce very high quality products in rural areas.
Getting into specifics we can mention these unique specialties such as:
- Bread of Monte Sant'Angelo (slow food) and bread di San Marco in Lamis, cooked in wood-fired ovens;
- Cavicione di ischitella, a "calzone" stuffed with spring onions (or spring onions) and sultanas;
- Fava (broad beans) di Carpino, with which to prepare exquisite dishes such as a mashed puree with wild chicory;
- Paposcia di Vico del Gargano, a breadroll to be filled to your liking;
- Citrus fruits of Vico del Gargano (also produced in the territory of Rodi Garganico and Ischitella);
- San Michele oysters and eels of the Varano lake;
- The many zero-mile cheeses, among which the caciocavallo podolico stands out, produced from Podolica cow's milk and the cacioricotta di Capra (goat) Garganica;
- The typical sweets, among which we mention the cartellate and the Ostie Chiene di Monte Sant'Angelo;
- The Pasta of Monte Sant'Angelo, with the production of Casa Prencipe, the best organic pasta factory in Italy;
- The Extra Virgin Olive Oil;
- The taralli of the Apulian tradition;
- The Farrata, a traditional sweet dumpling of the Manfredonia Carnival, and the Panzerotto, a deep-fried pocket of dough filled with mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce
Green multi-day itineraries on Gargano in Puglia
Here are some ideas for discovering Gargano National Park, between coastal itineraries and the Umbra Forest.
We have thought of 4 holiday proposals in Puglia by bike and/or on foot.
These proposals will allow you to visit Gargano in a totally green way, choosing the bike or alternating bike and trekking (Hike & Bike proposal).
"Flower" Itineraries
Gargano Bike 4Nights/ 5D
Gargano Hike & Bike 4Nights/ 5D
Gargano Hike & Bike 7Nights/ 8D
Mooveng Services
Thanks to our wide range of services, you will be able to customize your holiday together with our staff:
- rental and delivery of all kind of bikes, hybrid, e-bike, gravel and roadbikes (Click here and book your bike)
- An assistance van always ready in the area to quickly assist you with a mobile cycle workshop and a fridge with fruit and water and veggies for a picnic on the go;
- You can hire a licensed official guide to get to know more about the nature of the National Park or the UNESCO sites like the Foresta Umbra and the St. Michael's Basilica;
- Available foreign languages: English, German, Spanish and French.
- Luggage transport from hotel to hotel;
- Shuttle bus from/to the airports and the train or bus stations.
How to reach Gargano in Puglia
Our multi-day tours start from Monte Sant'Angelo, in the heart of Gargano.
Upon request we can customize your itinerary and decide to choose a new starting point.
By plane
Foggia Airport
Fly to Foggia Airport, less than 1 hour from Gargano National Park with free Foggia-Gargano shuttle bus.
If you buy one of our multi-day packages you have free transport service to/from Foggia.
Bari Airport
Fly to Bari Airport, 1 hour and 40 minutes from Gargano National Park.
You can reach the Gargano Park by public transport or by our private shuttle at 25 euros per person, minimum 4 people.
Napoli Airport
Fly to Naples Airport, 2 hours and 30 minutes from Gargano National Park.
You can reach Foggia by public transport and use our free Foggia/Gargano service if you buy our multi-day packages.
Alternatively, you can use our private shuttle (Naples-Gargano) for € 70 per person (minimum 4 people).
Roma Airport
Fly to Rome airports Ciampino or Fiumicino, 4 hours and 30 minutes from Gargano National Park.
You can reach Foggia by public transport and take advantage of our free Foggia/Gargano service if you buy our multi-day packages.
Alternatively, you can take the direct bus that connects Rome to Monte Sant'Angelo, the departure point of our tours.
By train
Reach Foggia station and you will have a free shuttle to/from Gargano.
The offer is guaranteed for those who buy one of our multi-day packages.
Discover the trains available on Trenitalia.it
By Train
Reach Foggia or Manfredonia with many options and you will have a free shuttle bus to Gargano, if you buy one of our multi-day packages. You can travel, for example, with Flixbus (to Manfredonia), Ferrovie del Gargano (to Manfredonia), Marinobus (to Manfredonia), Air Campania (from Naples to Foggia).
Bike & Hike Friendly Accomodation
Mooveng has agreements with several accommodation facilities on Gargano.
In this way you can enjoy your holiday experience to the fullest.
Here are just a few examples:
Villa Simone
Charming villa with swimming pool and bike-hotel just two steps from the seaside
Le Casette nel Rione
In Monte Sant'Angelo's historic center, the traditional Casette (small houses) were first built as shelters for pilgrims.
If the itineraries you've found on this page aren't enough, you can choose to discover more:
- Cycling holidays in Puglia italy: Best Cycling Routes and Itineraries (click here)
- Puglia Bike Trip: Best Cycling Vacation
- Self-Guided Bike Tours in Puglia: Explore Italy at Your Own Pace