19 – From the loricate pine to the pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea: from Rotonda to Maratea
Difficulty: medium
Bike type: gravel / road racing / e-bike
Departure: Rotonda
Arrival: Maratea
Total miles: 65 approximately
Road surface: asphalt
Height difference ascent: 1390 m
Height difference descent: 1640 m
Time of year: from April to November
ROUTE
Medium difficulty route with many descents and climbs that are quite pedalable. Traffic almost non-existent in the Park area and then increased especially near the inhabited centers of Lauria and Trecchina.
ROUTE 19
The route starts from Rotonda, home of the Pollino National Park, and ends up in Maratea, the pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is medium difficulty and can be done in a single day, partly following the Rotonda – Lagonegro cycle path, carved out of the former disused railway of the Ferrovie Calabro Lucane.
Crossing through the green and wooded areas of the Pollino National Park and following the signs for Maratea, after Rotonda you reach Lauria, behind which rise the peaks of the Sirino massif, an ideal destination for high mountain enthusiasts.
After passing the birthplace of the Lucanian director and actor Rocco Papaleo, beyond Lake Sirino, you leave the cycle path to begin a descent towards Rivello.
Another 9 km of inland road takes you up to Trecchina, where you can stop and visit the historic centre and the sixteenth-century baronial castle, situated on the highest point of the town.
Leaving the town, after about 2 km of climbing, you can look out over the wonderful landscape of the Tyrrhenian coast. Follow the signs for the “Centro Storico” to reach Maratea and end the day in the piazzetta of the old town, among the picturesque alleyways of “the city of 44 churches”.
