The best hiking routes in Puglia
The first article in our column on Italy’s trekking regions dates back over a year and a half ago. Since then we have traveled far and wide through the peninsula, virtually taking the most beautiful trekking routes in Italy. We are now running out: we only have to tell you Puglia, Sicily and Sardinia before concluding the Giro d’Italia.
Before taking the boat (always virtually) we finally talk about the “boot’s heel” (Italy’s shape is like a boot): Puglia!
Alberobello, discovering the trulli
The best way to discover the beauties of a region is to do it with hiking boots. The first route that we offer will allow you to see up close one of the symbols of Puglia: the trullo.
Point of departure and return of the city route of about 3 and a half kilometers is the square of Lippolis of Alberobello. From the square, continue along Via Monte Pertica and then onto Piazza D’Annunzio; subsequently we pass through the Rione Aia Piccola, the most characteristic of Alberobello, in which groups of trulli follow one another, still inhabited.
Then you can visit the Territory Museum and the Basilica of the Saints Cosma and Damiano.
It is a simple path that will allow you to immerse yourself in a scenario dominated by trulli, symbol of this beautiful region.
Latiano, walking among the olive trees
One of the symbols of Puglia famous and appreciated throughout the world is olive oil. The second route that we propose will allow you to experience a sweet and ancient rural area characterized by the presence of many olive trees. The starting point is the former Convent of the Dominicans, the itinerary then continues allowing you to appreciate the most characteristic places of the town of Latiano before discovering the rural landscape. Here, immersed in a vast expanse of olive trees, we find one of the nine educational farms of the Gal Terra dei Messapi, the Masseria Marangiosa. Continuing on, you will be able to cross a dense area of Mediterranean maquis characterized by cork oaks and then meet the Sanctuary of Maria S.S. of Cotrino and the Muro Tenente, a fortified stretch of about 3 kilometers of the ancient Messapian city walls.
The Way of the Angel
One of the most popular Apulian destinations for tourists is certainly the Gargano. From here passes the Via Francigena del Sud which leads from Brindisi to Rome. This street has medieval origins and was formerly known as the Via Sacra Longobardorum while today it is called the Cammino dell’Angelo because it joins Mont Saint Michel in France to the sanctuary of San Michele Arcangelo in Monte Sant’Angelo, a cave sanctuary located not far from Cagnano Varano. There are three passable stages of this itinerary. The first leads from San Severo to Stignano; the second one leads us to San Giovanni Rotondo; the third at Monte Sant’Angelo.
The Green Road Francigena
Another stretch of Via Francigena del Sud that we can recommend is the so-called Green Road, a network of trails that connects eleven villages of the Gal. An itinerary that aims to allow the trekker to discover fascinating uncontaminated landscapes and the historic villages of the area. The Green Road has as its starting point Crispiano, village of the Cento Masserie, and as a point of arrival Grottaglie, land of ceramics. Here too the path is divided into three stages that will lead you to discover a truly enchanting area. If you want to experience trekking in a sustainable way, even from the point of view of food, we suggest you try Bivo: Starter Kit.
A complete and healthy food developed specifically for outdoor life lovers.
The limitone of the Greeks
The Greek limitone is an itinerary that runs along the ancient imaginary border between the Byzantines and the Lombards. It is a journey of about thirty kilometers (passable also by bicycle) surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and a wheat field. The departure is fixed in Mesagne while the arrival in San Pancrazio Salentino, along the way you can visit the Masseria Muro Maurizio, the Tempietto of San Miserino, one of the oldest early Christian places of Salento, and later in the area of San Donaci different farms. In San Donaci we recommend a stop in a local winery before resuming the journey towards San Pancrazio Salentino with a visit to the Li Castelli archaeological area and the Grotta dell’Angelo. Once at the Sant’Antonio alla Macchia Sanctuary, it is possible to return to the starting point via an itinerary that crosses the countryside of San Pancrazio Salentino and Mesagne.
From Porto Selvaggio to Porto Cesareo
Salento is one of the most popular areas for its beaches. This itinerary, which has Porto Selvaggio as its starting point and Porto Cesareo as a destination, will allow you to get a close-up view of the natural beauty that this land has to offer. The itinerary that we propose will take you to visit in the first stage the Natural Regional Park of Porto Selvaggio and the Palude del Capitano, one of the most beautiful beaches in Italy and the caves that have returned fossil remains of considerable importance. The second stage will take you to discover the Strea peninsula, a strip of land in front of Porto Cesareo which hosts rare animal and plant species.
