Gran Fondo Golfo di Castellabate 2026

Local fishermen in the early 1800s claimed to have hauled in a statue of the Madonna, allegedly cast overboard by a vessel struggling through a tempest. This story still echoes along the coastline as you prepare for the 15-kilometer challenge, a linear route that cuts through the heart of the Cilento waters. On June 28, 2026, the event shifts from myth to physical reality, beginning at Baia Arena in Ogliastro Marina and heading toward the finish at the beach of Lago.

Geology and the ancient seabed

As you navigate the stretch between San Marco and Punta Licosa, the seabed beneath you acts as a geological chronicle. The 'Flysch of Cilento'—a series of compressed, alternating layers of sandstone, clay, and limestone—is visible in the tilted, fractured rock strata lining the coast. This sedimentary foundation provides the backdrop for the ruins of the ancient city of Leucosia. Swimming over these submerged remnants of Greek and Roman villas requires steady pacing, as the area demands constant awareness of the marine regulations: a strict 'Zone A' integral reserve prohibits all transit between Punta Tresino and Vallone Maroccia, while 'Zone B' restricts motor navigation to 5 knots within 300 meters of the shore to safeguard the swimmers.

Life in the marine corridor

Beyond the history embedded in the stone, the ecosystem offers a rare look at protected marine life. Along the Licosa shoreline, you may pass the 'trottoir a vermeti', a rigid, reef-like structure built by the mollusk *Dendropoma cristatum*. These bioconstructions mimic tropical reefs in their complexity and resilience. The area also hosts delicate biological cycles, such as the 2006 nesting of the Caretta caretta at Baia Arena, a rare event that highlights the environmental sensitivity of this stretch of the Tyrrhenian. With a 5-hour and 30-minute time limit, participants must balance their effort with the navigation of these natural constraints. The registration fees, ranging from 50 to 150 EUR, cover the logistical burden of providing escort canoes and specialized maritime permits necessary to clear this protected corridor, ensuring each swimmer has the required safety support throughout the 15-kilometer transit.