Imagine the best cycle routes in Southern Italy combined into a single package: the Via Silente , the Calabria Parks Cycle Route , the Sicily Divide , the Ciclonica in Salento ... In short, a major destination, capable of transcending regional borders and offering a seamless experience to cyclists. This is the idea behind Bike Link Sud, a brand new, grassroots project that brings together routes, regions, and people with a common goal: to enhance the untapped potential of Southern Italy.
It all started from the intuition of Palmarosa Fuccella, a communications designer and outdoor destination expert who deals with eco-sustainable destinations and cycling and walking routes.
Palmarosa, what inspired you to imagine Bike Link Sud?
Bike Link Sud was born from an idea I've been nurturing for years: promoting the South as a unique cycling destination, networking existing cycle paths and those under development. Recently, I've met other people committed to this endeavor, and we decided to start with a shared map , a non-profit community map designed to promote the South as an attractive destination for cyclists.
What criteria did you follow to draw the map?
It's a work in progress. We've selected routes backed by organizations capable of providing services, maintenance, and a certain level of officialdom. We didn't want to create a chaotic map with a thousand different tracks, but rather a readable and reliable tool. I've consulted with organizations active in Campania, Puglia, Basilicata, Calabria, and Sicily to identify structured itineraries. Today, we're talking about over 5.000 kilometers, already a very interesting base.
Is it a closed project or destined to grow?
It's completely open. Some courses may be added in the future, while others may be removed if they don't meet the required standards. The goal is to maintain quality and consistency, but also to welcome new collaborations. It's an evolving community.
Have you planned a digital platform to collect everything?
Yes, we've already launched an Instagram profile and are working on a website. It will be a platform that will showcase the map and link to the individual routes and their respective territories, offering a single point of access for those who want to cycle in the South.
What is the added value of a unitary proposal compared to individual paths?
We've observed that many cycle tourists already travel without borders: starting from Campania, crossing Basilicata and Calabria, some even reaching Sicily. Bike link Sud understands this need and organizes it. Those coming from far away often have time and want to build longer itineraries, combining different cycle routes. Bringing it all together offers a clearer and more comprehensive vision.
Can the South really become a strong cycling destination?
Absolutely. It has unique characteristics: a variety of landscapes, natural parks, sea, mountains, UNESCO sites, and a widespread cultural heritage. And above all, year-round cycling. These are features that few regions can offer simultaneously.
Could bringing together different realities create friction between the various actors?
Not yet. We've found people with the same vision. In fact, I want to reiterate that this is a community open to new collaborations. It's clear that requests will arrive (and have already arrived) from people who ask, "Why isn't my route there?", but the logic isn't to include everything, but rather to maintain a selection based on quality and services. Otherwise, the map would become unusable.
The project is interregional. Is there any institutional support for it?
Yes, the strongest part of Bike Link Sud is based on an agreement between three national parks: Cilento, Appennino Lucano, and Pollino. This agreement, already in place for hiking and cycling routes, represents a concrete backbone of the project. These entities report to the Ministry of the Environment and are working together for integrated promotion.
However, Bike Link Sud is a grassroots project: is the lack of a forward-looking national vision behind it a limitation?
For me, paradoxically, this is a strength. Bottom-up projects, with motivated people, are more likely to last. Top-down initiatives often have resources, but no continuity. Here, however, there's passion, local knowledge, and a willingness to collaborate.
How important is cycle tourism today in Italy and the South?
The numbers speak for themselves: nearly 50 million people in Italy. It's not a niche market. And the potential is still enormous, especially for inland areas. Take the Calabria Parks Cycle Route: the Komoot heatmap counted around 20.000 cyclists in 2025. Add another 10.000 who don't use Komoot, and you get to around 30.000 cyclists, generating an economic impact of around €9-10 million. These numbers demonstrate how cycling tourism can contribute to the revitalization of local areas.
What services will Bike Link Sud actually offer?
In addition to the map, which is already a practical tool, there are local businesses that offer services: information, travel arrangements, and bike service. Furthermore, the map itself functions like a passport: it can be stamped along the way, creating a tangible memento of the trip.
You've also included segments of the Appennino Bike Tour and EuroVelo. What role do these "super cycle routes" play?
They are fundamental connecting elements.The Appennino Bike Tour also crosses the South and acts as a hinge between different territories. EuroVelo is also important: The Calabria Parks Cycle Route joined in 2024 and will soon complete certification. This means joining a recognized European system.
Bike link South
