What You Need to Know: Useful Information
The Trabocchi Coast is an Adriatic coastline in the Abruzzo region, located in Chieti province. This area is famous for its “trabocchi”, ancient wooden structures built on stilts that jut out into the sea and were used for fishing. The coast is around 40 kilometers long, featuring beautiful landscapes, sandy and pebbly beaches, rocky cliffs, and a clear sea. The trabocchi in this area create a unique, scenic setting and highlight the local seafaring tradition. The Costa dei Trabocchi Greenway is a 42-kilometer path for cycling and walking, created along an old railway line that was abandoned in 2005. This route connects the railway station of Ortona to Vasto Marina, passing through nine municipalities along the coast. The route is flat and suitable for both cyclists and pedestrians, offering a sustainable and enjoyable way to explore the coast. The trail is well signposted and easy to follow, even for families and beginners. Thanks to this itinerary, the Trabocchi Coast has become a popular destination for day trips or bike rides, with the opportunity to stop and visit characteristic villages, taste typical fish dishes, and enjoy a protected and well-preserved natural environment.
Getting There
By train
To reach the northern starting point of the trail, you can take a regional Trenitalia train directly to the Ortona railway station, which serves as the direct gateway to the greenway. If you prefer to start your journey from the southern end, you can take a train to the Vasto-San Salvo railway station and make your way to Vasto Marina to join the path.
By car
If you choose to drive from Pescara or the north, take the A14 highway (Autostrada Adriatica) southward and exit at Ortona, then follow local signs to the seafront to access the path. If you are approaching from the south, take the A14 highway northbound, exit at Vasto Nord or Vasto Sud, and drive straight down toward Vasto Marina to park near the southern trailhead.
By bus
For regional public transit travelers who prefer this option, TUA (Trasporto Unico Abruzzese) operates frequent daily intercity bus routes that connect the central station in Pescara directly to the coastal towns of Ortona and Vasto Marina.
Below you'll find the location marked on Google Maps. Click on it to open the location directly on your device's maps.
Useful Contacts
- Associazione Costa dei Trabocchi (Local Coast & Greenway Promotion Network):
- Website: costadeitrabocchi.it
- Ufficio Informazioni Turistiche Ortona (Ortona Tourist Hub):
- Phone: +39 085 9063841
- Ufficio IAT Vasto (Vasto Tourist Information Desk):
- Phone: +39 0873 367312
- Email: [email protected]
What to Bring & Pro Tips
Because the Greenway is a flat, 42-kilometer route suitable for both cyclists and pedestrians, it is highly recommended to wear comfortable walking shoes or light athletic sneakers if you plan to tackle portions of it on foot. In many places along the route, you can rent bicycles and find places to eat, so there is no need to carry heavy cycling gear with you from home. Make sure to pack your swimsuit and a quick-drying towel, as the trail gives you direct access to many sandy and pebbly beaches where you can stop for a refreshing swim in the clear sea. Bring a camera or a smartphone to capture stunning views of the Adriatic Sea and iconic trabocchi like Punta Fornace, Punta Torre, and Turchino along the route. Lastly, since the old railway line runs directly along the open coastline with very little shade, don't forget to pack plenty of sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, and a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated during your ride.
The “Hidden Gem”
Once you have cycled past the spectacular stilt structures and stopped to taste typical fish dishes, take a short detour just north of Vasto to explore the breathtaking Punta Aderci Regional Nature Reserve.
Instead of staying on the main paved paths, head to this protected promontory to find one of the wildest and most spectacular stretches of coastline in the entire region. The reserve features dramatic clay cliffs that plunge straight down into a turquoise sea, bordered by natural sandy dunes where rare birds nest. A long wooden panoramic walkway leads out to an isolated, incredibly photogenic trabocco extending into the deep water. Walking along the high clifftop trails at sunset offers a wonderfully quiet, wild break from the more frequented beach sections of the greenway, rewarding nature lovers with sweeping views that stretch across the Adriatic all the way to the distant, snow-capped peaks of the Maiella mountains.
