Nova Eroica Gran Sasso
Heroic cycling and sustainable tourism on the white roads of the Gran Sasso
About Nova Eroica Gran Sasso
Nova Eroica in the heart of the Gran Sasso
Nova Eroica Gran Sasso is an event dedicated to white-road cycling and sustainable tourism, held every year in early June in Castel del Monte, a mountain village in the province of L'Aquila, Abruzzo. Part of the famous Eroica circuit born in Tuscany, the event brings the spirit of "cycling from another time" to the peaks of the Gran Sasso massifโa way of riding without haste, fully immersed in the local landscape and culture.
A territory to explore by bike
The charm of Nova Eroica lies in its territory: the routes wind along ancient tratturi (sheep tracks), the dirt roads of transhumance used since antiquity, and cross some of the most iconic sites of the Central Apennines. The vast Campo Imperatore plateau, the Campo Rotondo plain, the spectacular Rocca di Calascio at over 1,400 metres above sea level, and the villages of Santo Stefano di Sessanio, Castelvecchio Calvisio, Barisciano, and Calascio provide the backdrop for a ride that is both a sporting challenge and a slow discovery.
The routes
The event offers four tracks suitable for every level, all starting and finishing in Castel del Monte:
- Terre della Baronia and Campo Imperatore โ approx. 137 km, the most "heroic" route, reserved for gravel bikes, with timed sectors and over 2,900 metres of elevation gain;
- Gran Sasso Tour โ approx. 92 km on road, for those seeking a challenging yet accessible test;
- 5 Villages and Campo Imperatore Plain Tour โ approx. 84 km on dirt roads, the perfect balance between adventure and exploring historic centres;
- Rocca di Calascio Tour โ approx. 60 km, the most accessible, ideal for enjoying the landscape without hurry.
More than just a race
Throughout the weekend, the entire village of Castel del Monte transforms into a village dedicated to cycling culture, with music, markets, tastings of local products, and traditional Abruzzo dishes like arrosticini. Along the routes, there is no shortage of locally-sourced refreshment stops, managed by local communities, which have become a hallmark of the Eroica experience. The event has a strong international vocation, with participants arriving from all over Europe and countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Sustainable tourism
Nova Eroica Gran Sasso is designed as a model of slow and sustainable tourism for the Abruzzo hinterland: an opportunity to showcase the natural heritage of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park and to support the economy of small mountain villages, enhancing white roads, gastronomy, and local hospitality.
Nova Eroica Gran Sasso โ edition 2026
Nova Eroica Gran Sasso 2026
The fifth edition of Nova Eroica Gran Sasso was held from June 5 to 7, 2026, in Castel del Monte (AQ). The start of the four routes was given on Saturday, June 6, at 9 am from the village, with over 500 participants from Germany, England, the United States, Canada, and Australia, including the Vice-President of the European Parliament, Roberts Zฤซle.
The proposed tracks were the Terre della Baronia and Campo Imperatore (137 km gravel with two timed sectors), the Gran Sasso Tour (92 km on road), the 5 Villages and Campo Imperatore Plain Tour (84 km gravel), and the Rocca di Calascio Tour (60 km). The routes touched Castelvecchio Calvisio, Barisciano, Calascio, Santo Stefano di Sessanio, the Campo Imperatore plateau, and Cima Pantani, at over 2,000 metres above sea level.
The village hosted music, tastings, and Abruzzo specialities like arrosticini, with locally-sourced refreshment stops managed by local communities. Sunday was dedicated to discovering the villages of the Gran Sasso and saw the debut of the "Eroica by canoe" initiative on the Tirino river, in Capestrano.
Programme Nova Eroica Gran Sasso 2026
2026 Programme
- Friday, June 5: Opening of the Nova Eroica village and welcome activities; Eroica Dinner in the evening.
- Saturday, June 6: Start of the four routes at 9 am from Castel del Monte; Pasta Party, awards ceremony, and final party in the square.
- Sunday, June 7: Discovery of the Gran Sasso villages, from Rocca Calascio to Santo Stefano di Sessanio, and debut of "Eroica by canoe" on the Tirino river in Capestrano.
Highlights Nova Eroica Gran Sasso 2026
- 137 km "Terre della Baronia and Campo Imperatore" gravel route with timed sectors
- Over 500 cyclists from across Europe, the US, Canada, and Australia
- Passages through Campo Imperatore, Rocca di Calascio, and Cima Pantani (over 2,000 m)
- Locally-sourced refreshment stops and arrosticini in the village of Castel del Monte
- Debut of "Eroica by canoe" on the Tirino river in Capestrano
Prices Nova Eroica Gran Sasso 2026
Practical information — Nova Eroica Gran Sasso
How to get there
Castel del Monte can be reached by car from the A24 motorway (exit L'Aquila Est or Assergi) by continuing towards the Navelli plateau and Campo Imperatore. The nearest airport is Pescara. The reference railway station is L'Aquila.
Registration and information
Registration for the routes is available on the official website eroica.cc in the section dedicated to the Gran Sasso. During the event, an info point is active in the village.
Tips
Given the altitude (Castel del Monte is over 1,300 metres), layered clothing is recommended even in summer. It is advisable to book accommodation in the area's villages well in advance, as they fill up quickly during the event weekend.
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Where does it take place โ Nova Eroica Gran Sasso
Borgo di Castel del Monte