Gran Sasso Expedition 2025
Tour report
October marked our final ride of the season, and we saved something special for last. The Gran Sasso Expedition was a long weekend escape into one of Italy’s most surprising and underrated riding regions—wild, welcoming, and simply made for motorcycles.
Rising from the heart of the central Apennines, the Gran Sasso massif is often called the Alps’ little sibling, but don’t be fooled. What it lacks in crowds it makes up for in endless curves, dramatic scenery, and that intoxicating feeling of having the road to yourself.
We carved our way through rolling hills and dense forests, climbed quiet mountain passes, and linked together ribbons of perfect asphalt seemingly designed for us riders.
The journey took us from the ancient Roman elegance of Tivoli, through the timeless streets of Leonessa, and on to the high-altitude villages around Rocca di Mezzo, where stone houses, open skies, and crisp mountain air set the rhythm of the ride. We even dipped briefly off the tarmac for an easy, playful off-road section leading to a fun mountain pass—just enough to raise a smile and add a dash of adventure.
One of the highlights was riding on the Gran Sasso plateau, nearly 2,000 metres above sea level. Here, wide skies replaced guardrails and the road seemed to disappear into the landscape. We stopped at a legendary butcher’s grill—a true riders’ hotspot—to grill our own Arrosticini, share stories, and marvel at the countless bikes lined up outside like it’s a local race meet.
Authentic food, empty roads, big views, and zero fuss - this is the Gran Sasso Expediton. If you’re after a short, magical motorcycle escape with serious riding and the right budget, this is the one for you.
