Campo di Giove Granfondo

The mountain bike granfondo of Campo di Giove

The Campo di Giove Granfondo is one of the most scenic mountain bike races in the Central Apennines. It takes place in Campo di Giove, a small mountain town in the province of L'Aquila nestled at the foot of the Maiella massif, in the heart of the national park of the same name. Organized by the ASD Bike Shock Team, the event has been part of the Abruzzo MTB Cup circuit for years, the regional cup that brings together the best bikers in Abruzzo for marathon and granfondo races.

A route through meadows, beech forests, and single tracks

The competitive track winds through the slopes and plateaus of Campo di Giove and the nearby municipality of Cansano, covering a distance that in recent editions has been around 44-46 kilometers with approximately 1400 meters of elevation gain. After the first few kilometers on dirt roads, riders tackle the long climb of Macchia di Secina, before descending along single tracks and forest paths towards Cansano, almost never touching asphalt. The return route passes through the cemetery area and the Terra Rossa locality, above the town's hotel area.

Alongside the competitive race, the organizers also offer a shorter cycle-touring route (about 30-35 kilometers), also open to e-bikes, which avoids the Macchia di Secina and heads directly towards Cansano: a format designed for those who want to enjoy the Maiella landscape without the pressure of the clock.

Sport and nature in the Maiella Park

What makes this granfondo special is the setting: high-altitude meadows, ancient beech forests, and open views over the wild and pristine territory of the Maiella National Park. Past editions have regularly gathered over 150-200 athletes, with prominent names from the Abruzzo and national marathon scene at the start. An event that combines off-road sporting challenges with the discovery of one of the most beautiful corners of the Abruzzo mountains.

The Campo di Giove Granfondo should not be confused with the Alto Abruzzo Mediofondo, a road cycling race held in the same location: the Granfondo is instead an event entirely dedicated to mountain biking, on dirt roads and trails.