A route rich in colors and flavors, from the lagoon to the Karst. A bike ride to immerse yourself in nature and the art of the Karst villages.
The route starts from Grado, the island of the sun, and heading towards Monfalcone crosses the nature reserves of Val Cavanata and the mouth of the Isonzo River. At Sistiana, the route ends along the Gulf of Trieste and enters the Karst villages of San Pelagio and Sales. It reaches Sgonico and the village of Grotta Gigante with the largest single-chamber tourist cave in the world. You cycle between Karst moorland and vineyard plots until reaching the Area Science Park of Padriciano and, after Basovizza, the homonymous foiba declared a national monument. The route enters the enchanting Val Rosandra Nature Reserve, characterized by large screes and suggestive panoramic views of the Gulf of Trieste. It passes through the evocative Bosco Stena and Sant'Antonio in Bosco, a small village located among the hills. You reach Trieste cycling on the Cottur cycling and pedestrian path of the Val Rosandra, which partly follows the route of the old Trieste-Kozina railway.
Author’s recommendation
Along the route discover the osmize, traditional inns offering local products, or stop at trattorias to taste the Trieste-style jota.
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Show elevation profileSafety information
Route with long stretches of climbing not very difficult, but continuous. Pay attention on the stretch between Monfalcone and Sistiana and along the stretches on the Karst Provincial Road (SP 1).
Tips and suggestions
Mixed route, mainly asphalted, on cycle paths or secondary roads without traffic.
Roadbook
From Grado, cycle towards Monfalcone and then Sistiana. Leave the coastline at Sistiana and enter the Karst region.
Stazione Ferroviaria Sistiana - Visogliano
Stazione Ferroviaria Villa Opicina
Bold Pier
Trieste Infopoint
Grado Infopoint
Stazione Ferroviaria Trieste Centrale
Riva Nazario Sauro corner of Molo Bersaglieri
Sistiana Infopoint
Destroyer Pier
Stazione Ferroviaria Monfalcone
Bersaglieri Pier
Barcola Pier
Central Pier
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
Grado is reached by the Bicibus service from Udine in the summer months. The route can start in Monfalcone, which is reached by regional trains that allow bike transport (Trenitalia line Venice-Trieste).
Directions
Highway A4 Turin - Trieste
Palmanova exit
Parking
Near the bus station.
Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Map "Adriatic Sea Bike Route" published by PromoTurismoFVG in collaboration with Casa Editrice Tabacco. The map is on sale at the PromoTurismoFVG Infopoints for €2.
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

User Questions