Initially we follow the promenade of Naples, touching the magical original nucleus of the city, Castel dell’ Ovo, its underlying village “Borgo Marinari”, heading west on Via Caracciolo where you pedal along Naples promenade, once the beach serving the old fishing district of Naples, the folk neighborhood of Mergellina and elegant Chiaia, now a popular spot for a walk or a bar crawl.
A light, steady climb takes us on the hill of Posillipo, a panoramic oasis so close and yet far from the city, dear to poets and nobles, with its villas overlooking the sea, the bold road that bypasses caves and gullies and crosses with the winding down that lead the former agricultural villages of the hill, to the green sea sailed by the fishing boats.
The journey continues with the sightseeing of the Pausilypon archeological area (optional), the astonishing Villa of Vedio Pollione and the panoramic viewpoint overlooking the charming bay of Trentaremi. Professional guides from the CSI Gaiola (on reservation) will lead us through the beauties of the site.
Afterwards we will gently descend towards the neighborhood of Bagnoli and then move to the heart of the Campi Flegrei area, the town of Pozzuoli. Here we will stop at the Temple of Serapis, known to be the “thermometer” of the volcanic phenomenon of bradyseism (raising and lowering of the ground level).
From the center of Pozzuoli to the mysterious and fascinating Lago D’Averno is just a throw of a stone. The circumnavigation of the lake, part of the Park of Campi Flegrei, is an easy ride by bike and allows participants to see the remains of the Temple of Apollo romantically surrounded by a lush nature.
Ducks, cormorants, geese and other inhabitants of the lake greet cyclists heading towards Pozzuoli. On our way back we will ride along the promenade of Pozzuoli and we will stop at the North Jetty in via Coroglio, near Piazza Bagnoli, to enjoy the view “from the sea” of Campi Flegrei.
Unforgettable is the sensation of touching the nearby tiny island of Nisida and having the impressive bulk of Ischia island in the same picture. More details about the history of the area and the undergoing redevelopment projects are provided by our guide.
