Green Way of the Trabocchi Coast

The Green Way of the Trabocchi Coast is a bicycle and pedestrian path that runs along one of Italy’s most fascinating coastal stretches. The route, about 42 kilometers long, offers unique thrills and glimpses of extraordinary beauty. It follows the route of the former Adriatic Railway, which opened in 1863 and was decommissioned only in 2005. On one side are the beaches and the Adriatic Sea with the celebrated and celebrated trabocchi, the spectacular and curious “fishing machines” that give the coast its name. On the other is lush vegetation interspersed here and there with enchanting nature reserves. Further up picturesque villages to be discovered by taking a few detours. Conventionally, the bike path should start in Francavilla al Mare but currently connects Ortona to Vasto via San Vito Chietino, Rocca San Giovanni, Fossacesia, Torino di Sangro and Casalbordino.

Here are what the stages of the Green Way of the Trabocchi Coast are.

ORTONA-SAN VITO CHIETINO

The first section of the bicycle footpath passes through three tunnels, once intended for the railroad route, and skirts the beautiful beaches of Acquabella, Ripari Bardella and Mucchiola. Three trabocchi are crossed along the way: the historic Punta Mucchiola trabocchi in Ortona, dating back more than 300 years, and the San Giacomo and Punta Scirocco trabocchi in the municipality of San Vito Chietino.

SAN VITO CHIETINO-FOSSACESIA

This section is probably the most fascinating of the entire route because it provides a privileged view of the Dannuntian Promontory. It touches Rocco Mancini and Fuggitella beaches. But not only that. Numerous trabocchi are encountered here: that of Punta Fornace and the Turchino trabocchi (much admired by D’Annunzio) in San Vito; the Punta Tufano, Sasso della Cajana, Punta Torre and Punta Cavalluccio trabocchi in the territory of Rocca San Giovanni; and the Punta Rocciosa trabocchi in Fossacesia.

FOSSACESIA-TORINO DI SANGRO

The bicycle path in this section goes through the town of Fossacesia Marina and then passes over the bridge at the mouth of the Sangro River. The main attractions of the stage are Lado Dragoni and Cala le Morge, where there is the Punta Le Morge overflow, the only existing one in Torino di Sangro, which was destroyed in the 1960s and rebuilt in 2012.

TORINO DI SANGRO-PUNTA ADERCI

Past Torino di Sangro and the Osento River, continue along the Casalbordino waterfront. After a few kilometers you enter the beautiful Punta Aderci Nature Reserve, the first to be established in Abruzzo on the coastal strip. We pass through forests and wide dirt roads until we reach the promontory of Punta Aderci (located 26 meters above sea level), from which it is possible to admire the reserve in all its splendor.

PUNTA ADERCI-VASTO

The bicycle path continues for a few more kilometers into the Punta Aderci Nature Reserve, overlooking the magnificent beach of Punta Penna, famous for its dunes, populated by animals such as the herring gull, little gull and plover. Beyond the reserve is the long beach of San Nicola, with an overflow of the same name, and the beach of Casarza, one of the most pleasant and wild places on the Vastese coast. The stage then continues to the former Vasto station, where the Green Way of the Trabocchi Coast officially ends.