Practical Info
The Apulian stretch of the Ofanto Cycle Route, as promoted by this site, consists of 3 daily sections from the border of Apulia with Campania and Basilicata to the river’s mouth (40 + 25 + 25 km), which can be also organized in two longer sections having Canosa as an intermediate stage-point. It is then described on a 50 km gravel variant, almost entirely unpaved and decidedly wilder, which follows the Locone stream, connecting the Ofanto cycle route with the Apulian Aqueduct cycle route.
Although it does not present significant differences in height (except in the section between Rocchetta and Candela, where it is still possible to use the bike + train service), the Ofanto Cycle Route is currently a route for experienced cyclists, as it runs mainly on public roads open to traffic. In the future, new cycling and walking path will be opened on the river’s embankments.
No update available at the moment
We recommend following the route following the course of the river from its source in the Apennines towards the sea.
The starting point of the Apulian route, Rocchetta Sant’Antonio, can be reached by train thanks to the Trenitalia Foggia-Potenza regional line. Alternatively, some national bus lines stop in Candela, where it is possible to take the train to Rocchetta.
The railway station of Barletta is served by both national trains on the Adriatic line and regional ones: the latter are Foggia – Bari and Barletta – Spinazzola run by the national railway company Trenitalia, while Ferrotramviaria (ferrovienordbarese.it) runs the Barletta – Bari Airport line – Bari.
Recently, some bus lines have been increasingly equipping to transport bikes onboard: Flixbus, CLP on the Naples – Foggia relation (stop in Candela), Marino, etc .: it is worth taking a look at the transport conditions of each company as they may change.
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In Apulia (and Basilicata) the bicycle supplement on regional trains is free: the train conductor issues the free ticket at the time of inspection and it is not necessary to purchase it before getting on board.The railway companies operating in the area of the Ofanto cycle route are:
Trenitalia on the regional line Foggia – Potenza (intermediate stations of Ascoli Satriano, Candela and Rocchetta) and on the regional line Barletta – Spinazzola (intermediate stations of Canne della Battaglia, Canosa and Minervino: this line is not yet equipped for bike transport, and, thus, it is necessary to disassemble the cycle and store it in a bag of max 80x110x40 cm).
Ferrotramviaria: line Barletta – Bari (internal itinerary) and Aeroporto di Bari.
Most trains carry bikes in a special carriage (from 3 to 12 bike spaces), but before booking it is better to consult the timetables on which it is indicated if the train carries bikes or not.
For more info, visit the website Trenitalia
bike+bus: a possible alternative
Local public transport buses can be an alternative for moving from one place to another not served by regional trains. Even if not explicitly allowed, buses have a baggage compartment that is usually empty because it is not used by commuters: we recommend that you show up at the first stop with your bicycle disassembled and ask the driver for permission and to indicate which stop is the most convenient to get down without hindering the circulation.