Into wild Puglia
Apulia has been a link between Europe and the East for thousands of years. Pilgrims, conquerors, and just visitors passed through and fought on this land, all of them leaving their traces on the modern local culture and dialect. Gargano, a big promontory in the northernmost part of Apulia, is both a land of passage and a place to settle and forget the modern world. It's a region full of history, pilgrim trails and ancient shrines and hermitages, and at the same time a mountainous region covered by green forests and vast pastures, where it is not rare to encounter free cows, goats and boars. As the backcountry is a paradise for hikers, Gargano's shores and coastal towns are among the most famous in the whole of Italy. In this trip you will alternate some rich mountains and green forests, olive groves and hidden caves, Unesco listed towns and steep white limestone cliffs over little coves washed by the Mediterranean sea. Not enough yet? Most of the accommodation will be in little and family run b&bs, where you will enjoy the delightful taste of the real local cuisine.
Highlights:
- Accommodation in small family run farms in the countryside and in hotels close to the coast
- A mix of scenic coastal walks and wild backcountry trails
- Vieste and Monte Sant'Angelo, beautiful whitewashed towns
Day 1: Manfredonia
Arrival at Bari airport and transfer to Manfredonia, pretty seaside town and gateway to the Gargano mountains (2h ride). Check in at your hotel, briefing with your guide, then dinner and overnight stay in Manfredonia.
Day 2: Monte Sant'Angelo (5 hours walking, +800 mt)
In the morning walk from our hotel heading to the foot of the Gargano mountain. We will walk through an ancient trail, completely carved in the rock, ascending to the top of the mountain where Monte Sant'Angelo lies, the goal of our hike. Check in at the hotel and free time to visit the town. Monte Sant'Angelo is the cultural and historical centre of Gargano, built on a spur 810 mt above sea level and a very important place of pilgrimage for nearly 1600 years. Its shrine, dedicated to St. Michael, is one of the most important Sanctuaries in Italy and a Unesco listed heritage. Dinner and overnight stay in Monte Sant'Angelo.
Day 3: Monte Sacro (6.30 hours walking, +250 mt -250 mt)
In the morning we follow an ancient pilgrim path that used to connect the eastern Gargano to the town of Monte Sant Angelo. Long and pleasant hike in the green backcountry. Arrival at a family run farm, time to settle into your room and free time for a well deserved drink. Delicious dinner with local products and dishes, overnight stay at the farm.
Day 4: Mattinata (5 hours walking, +220 mt -840 mt)
In the morning walk to Monte Sacro. In the forest we will find the well-hidden ruins of the enormous Abbey of the Trinity, built by the Benedictines in 1058. Then we continue our trek to the coast of Gargano following an ancient transhumance path. Arrival in Mattinata and check in at a charming b&b surrounded by olive groves and very close to the sea. Free time to dive into the sea. Dinner and overnight stay in Mattinata.
Day 5: Gargano amazing shore(4.30 hours walking, +500 mt –450 mt)
In the morning we ascend the steep mountains surrounding Mattinata. We will follow a trail leading us first in amazingly panoramic spots, then in some shady valleys to end in one of the best coves of the entire Gargano region. Check in at your panoramic hotel overlooking the entire cove, and free time to take a swim in the blue sea surrounded by steep and astonishing white cliffs. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 6: Gargano green backcountry (5 hours walking, +550 mt -400 mt)
Today we will discover the Gargano countryside. Departing from our hotel we ascend a green hill, passing through oak and pine woods and pastures, enjoying a pleasant hike and discovering the true and secret Gargano. The walk will take us to a lovely family run farm, placed in a very quiet spot. Check in to your room, dinner with local product. Overnight stay at the farm.
Day 7:Vieste (4 hours walking, +100 mt -490 mt)
In the morning we will leave our farm and, following an easy walk on the ridge of the hill, we will reach Vieste. Easternmost town of the Gargano peninsula, it is a very charming medieval village built on a rocky limestone spur right above the sea. Check in at your hotel in the historical centre and free time to visit the town or enjoy its famous white sandy beaches. Dinner and overnight stay in Vieste.
Day 8: Departure
After breakfast transfer to Bari airport - 3h ride. Meals (B/-/-)
Grade : This trip is rated Moderate [3]. An hilly-to-steep terrain whit large dirt road and mule track. Trip members should be capable of hiking up to 6 hours on concurrent days. A prior hiking experience is advisable.
Accommodation:
- 1 night in hotel*/B&B in Manfredonia
- 1 night in hotel*/B&B in Monte Sant'Angelo
- 1 night in typical farm in Monte Sacro
- 1 night in B&B in Mattinata
- 1 night in hotel* on Gargano seashore
- 1 night in typical farm in Gargano backcountry
- 1 night in hotel*/B&B in Vieste
Equipment : trekking shoes, trekking socks, trekking t-shirt, warm shell, wind and water proof jacket, hat and gloves, bathing suit, sun glasses and sun cream, daily backpack (min. 30 liters), trekking poles advised.
Getting there: the destination airport is Bari. Meeting with the guide and transfer to Manfredonia. The last day, group transfer to Bari airport.
Included:
- 7 nights in hotel and b&b with breakfast included
- All private and public transportation as detailed in the program
- 7 nights' accommodation in hotel* , B&B and farms on half board basis
- All meals
- Local English speaking leader throughout
- Local tourist taxes
Not included:
- All beverages
- lunch on day 1 and day 8
- Any other services not mentioned in the itinerary
Trips Note
Destination: Apulia
Travel Style: guided
Interest: Beaches &Coastal hiking / Pilgrim Route
Comfort: Standard
Grade: Moderate
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Departures: J F M A M J J A S O N D
Group size: From 4 to 16 people
Airport: Bari
price on request
