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Cycling tourism
Mystical sites in Molise

Ciclovia dell’Acqua

Typology
cycling route
Duration
1 day
Number of Stages
2
Difficulty
Medium

The 74-km Water Cycle Route originates from the religious path of the same name, now redesigned for cycle tourists. The locations along the route are imbued with a sacredness linked to ancient rural religiosity, where pastoralism, Christianity, agriculture and faith were deeply intertwined. It is no coincidence that these are transhumance sites, an ancient rural practice that is on the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list.

Download the gpx track at the following link.

Departure from the Basilica dell'Addolorata in Castelpetroso, the spiritual heart of Molise

Departure from the Basilica dell'Addolorata in Castelpetroso, the spiritual heart of Molise

The itinerary, over low-traffic roads in the provinces of Isernia and Campobasso, connects two important centres of worship: it starts from the Basilica Minore dellAddolorata in Castelpetroso, patron saint of Molise, and arrives at the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Libera in Cercemaggiore.

The basilica is a neo-Gothic shrine from the 19th century, built with offerings from Molise emigrants on the site of the apparition of the Virgin Mary. From here you descend to Santa Maria del Molise, cycling past waterways and mills.

The Water Cycle Route continues to Cantalupo del Sannio and Bojano and the Colagrosso Palace Archaeological Museum. Heading up towards San Polo Matese, you will pass through dense, lush vegetation then on to Campochiaro, a small village nestled in the countryside, where you will find the Angevin Tower.

 

Arrival in Cercemaggiore in front of the Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Libera

Arrival in Cercemaggiore in front of the Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Libera

After a short stop, the itinerary continues downhill in the last part, crossing the WWF Nature Reserve Oasis of Guardiaregia-Campochiario, one of the wildest oases managed by the WWF in Italy. Continuing, you arrive at the Sepino Archaeological Park, where the ruins of Saepinum, the “little Pompeii” of Molise, stand in the locality of Altilia.

The last kilometres of the route end in Cercemaggiore in front of the Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Libera, one of the most visited religious complexes in the region.

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