BariExperience.com | Water Cycle Route: Discover the Apulian Aqueduct Cycle Route. The route runs from the Murgia plateau to Salento, passing through the Terra di Bari.

Cycle through Puglia's water history: discover the Apulian Aqueduct Cycle Path, passing through Murgia and the Itria Valley

There is a route that crosses the entire Puglia region , linking the Murgia to the heel of Salento, passing through the Terra di Bari and the Itria Valley . This route, over 500 kilometers long, is the Apulian Aqueduct Cycle Route , a cycling route that follows the historic route of the aqueduct's main channel, a masterpiece of hydraulic engineering from the early 20th century.

A cycle path that runs along the Apulian Aqueduct , from Caposele (in Campania), where the Sele River originates, to Santa Maria di Leuca, in the southernmost part of Puglia. A journey that traverses the entire backbone of the region, offering unique landscapes, rural relics, stone canal bridges , woods, farmhouses, trulli, and small villages suspended in time.

But it's in the central section—the one that crosses the Murgia and the Terra di Bari —that the cycle path truly becomes magical: accessible and charming, with well-maintained dirt roads, extraordinary scenery, and a network of secondary roads that make it perfect for slow cycling, families, and those who want to experience authentic Puglia while pedaling in the tranquility. Thus, it passes from Castel del Monte to Cassano delle Murge , then gradually descends into the green heart of the Itria Valley between Locorotondo, Cisternino, and Ceglie Messapica , continuing towards Salento and the view of the sea.

Continue reading to better explore the route from most authentic Itria Valley

A cycling itinerary combining engineering, nature, and rural culture

The Apulian Aqueduct Cycle Route is an ambitious project that aims to transform the historic route of the aqueduct into a major green route, from Castel del Monte to Capo di Leuca, traversing the entire Apulian hinterland. Over 500 km , the route largely follows the AQP's main canal, built between 1906 and 1939 to carry water from Campania to the heel of Italy.

The cycle path winds along secondary routes and low-traffic dirt tracks, often nestled among limestone hills, dry stone walls, and Mediterranean vegetation. It's designed for bikepacking, day trips, or rural trekking , perfect for those seeking total immersion in authentic landscapes, ancient silence, and rural architecture.

Murgia and Itria Valley, a suggestive stretch

Among the undoubtedly fascinating sections of the Apulian Aqueduct Cycle Route, the stretch that crosses the Terra di Baristands out, with a path that starts from the heights of the north-western Murgia and gently descends towards the iconic landscapes of the Itria Valley, among trulli, vineyards and ancient woods.

This segment of the route, already partially accessible and signposted, follows the historic water main through the Alta Murgia , passing through Castel del Monte , Cassano delle Murge , Acquaviva delle Fonti , Sammichele di Bari , and Noci , before turning off towards the evocative landscapes of Alberobello , Locorotondo, and Cisternino . The surface is mostly compact dirt , well-preserved, and ideal for gravel , mountain bikes , or e-bikes , offering an immersive experience in the green heart of Puglia.

Along the way, you'll admire monumental canal bridges, stone water towers, oak forests, secluded sheep tracks, and sweeping panoramic views of the rural landscape. This is the most authentic and peaceful part of the region, far from the traditional tourist routes, perfect for those seeking nature, slowness, and discreet beauty.

The itinerary in detail:

From Castel del Monte to Cisternino , crossing the rural and hilly landscapes of the Murgia and the Itria Valley . The itinerary touches (or grazes) places such as Cassano delle Murge , Acquaviva delle Fonti , Sammichele di Bari , Noci , with recommended detours towards Alberobello , Locorotondo and finally Cisternino .

Type of soil:

Mixed route : mainly compact dirt roads and historic cattle tracks , with sections on secondary asphalt with little traffic.

Why it's interesting:

This is the wildest, most authentic, and rural part of the cycle path . The route can be divided into several stages , perfect for those who want to travel slowly, make small detours (see Alberobello and Locorotondo), and enjoy nature without rushing.

On the silent paths of the aqueduct

The stretch of the Aqueduct Cycle Route that crosses the Terra di Bari and reaches the Itria Valley is a treasure trove for those who want to discover the deepest and most hidden side of Puglia. Here you won't find crowds or resorts, just country roads , paths through olive groves , dry-stone walls, and the sound of the wind in the branches .

It's a perfect route to recharge, to truly unwind and rediscover the pleasure of moving slowly along a route rich in charm and culture. Thus, the Apulian Aqueduct Cycle Route , in its Bari section, represents one of the gems of regional cycling tourism: poetic, accessible, and extraordinarily authentic .