Nova Eroica Gran Sasso

Nova Eroica Gran Sasso is an all-road cycling event in the Gran Sasso National Park in Abruzzo, Italy, based at Castel del Monte. The most recent edition, the fifth, took place from Friday 5 to Sunday 7 June 2026, with the main ride on Saturday 6 June. Part of the Eroica family, it welcomes modern gravel, road and cyclocross bikes rather than vintage machines.

Routes and distances

The 2026 edition offered four routes:

• Calascio Fortress – 60 km with 1,100 m of climbing, including a visit to the Rocca di Calascio.
• Tour of the Gran Sasso – 92 km with 1,830 m of climbing, fully on asphalt.
• Tour of the 5 Villages – 84 km with 1,620 m of climbing, for gravel bikes only.
• Tour of the Gran Sasso National Park – 141 km with 2,730 m of climbing, for gravel bikes only.

Registration

Entries for the 2026 edition were handled through the organiser’s registration page. The date of the next edition has not been announced yet; check the official website for updates.

Why ride it

The routes run through the villages of the Gran Sasso area, and the shorter road route includes the Rocca di Calascio. Riders can choose between a fully paved course and two gravel-only routes, so the event suits different bikes and levels.

Where to stay

The event is based at Castel del Monte, high in the Gran Sasso National Park, so sleeping in or close to the village means a short roll to the start line on Saturday morning and an easy recovery after the long climbs. We do not yet list a certified cycling-friendly hotel within 40 km of the start, but the area’s mountain villages offer plenty of local stays.

Keep an eye on our cycling-friendly accommodation directory, where new places are added regularly, and book early once the next edition’s dates are announced.

The date of the next edition has not been announced yet.