05 – From Magna Graecia to the lunar landscapes of the Calanchi
Difficulty: moderate
Bike type: gravel / road racing / e-bike
Departure: Metaponto Lido
Arrival: Tursi – Rabatana
Total miles: 80 approximately
Road surface: asphalt
Height difference ascent: 890 m
Height difference descent: 610 m
Time of year: all year round
ROUTE
From the golden beaches of the Ionian coast of Lucania to the discovery of Magna Graecia crossing orchards and vineyards to reach lunar landscapes and Saracen villages.
ROUTE 05
It starts from the seafront of Metaponto and offers an unforgettable journey through history. Completely immersed in Magna Graecia, the tour passes by the Palatine Tables, the remains of a Greek temple dedicated to Hera.
After a short stretch on the highway, you go back to cycling through nature to reach Bernalda, the town of origin of the paternal grandparents of the Italian-American director Francis Ford Coppola, who often returns here.
Passing through orchards and vineyards, with the possibility of visiting some wine cellars and tasting the excellent local wine, we reach Montalbano Jonico, the land of the badlands. Here you can take in a lunar landscape where weather conditions and the crumbling of the clayey soil have created authentic natural sculptures of spires, pinnacles and deep canyons.
Cycling through the orange groves, about 20 kilometres from the coast, you reach Tursi. The village, which features the Rabatana district founded by the Saracens, is known for the Sanctuary of Santa Maria di Anglona, built where the Greek city of Pandosia once stood.
It is not to be missed.
From here, a provincial road leads directly to Policoro, the ancient Heraclea. The sea and the archaeology, the unspoilt nature of the Bosco Pantano reserve, the fragrance of the famous strawberries and other local produce are all part of the journey through the very varied territory of Policoro and Magna Graecia.
The route, of moderate difficulty, can be divided into 2 stages.
