ITA-PUG1

Arrive in the baroque streets of Southern Italy, a vivid, vital city filled with masterpieces of Roman architecture, open for exploration after you’ve settled in for this evening and tomorrow morning’s start.

1. AccommodationLecce

Begin today with a transfer to Otranto, and a gentle start to your journey with a route through the Idro valley, crossing paths with the impressive rock structure of the Saint Angelo Sanctuary along your route as you follow the way back over the bridge to Otranto. The route charts a course along the river through lemon, orange and olive groves, a circular route that takes you out to the pastoral outer reaches of Otranto and back into the town for the end of your walk.

1. transfer

2. Otranto Circular Walk
3. AccommodationOtranto

The winding alleys of the old town join a coastal route, a level gravel route that outlines the edges of the numerous coves and inlets of the area. Bunkers from the Second World War are dotted along the route, and there is the (recommended) option of taking a short detour to a nearby Bauxite Lake. The red earth of the surrounding ridges contrast with the emerald pool of water below - a dramatic visual effect which is popular with photographers. Re-joining the route along the coast you’ll notice the Punta Palascia Lighthouse, the easternmost point of Italy from which you can see the mountains of Albania over the Adriatic.

1. Otranto to Porto Badisco
2. AccommodationPorto Badisco

From the mouth of the Porto Badisco, follow the shepherd’s paths that cling to the contours of the coastline. Your starting point at Porto Badisco is a fantastic place to grab a coffee and some local delicacies for a picnic, and along your way you’ll meet the rotund, dry stone former shepherd dwellings, known as “pagliari”. Towards the end of your journey, the path diverts inland to a charming track through pine forests, offering nice shady spots to have lunch. Follow a descending surfaced path to the Spa town of Santa Cesarea Terme for the end of your walk and some fantastic swimming spots.

1. Porto Badisco to Santa Cesarea Terme
2. AccommodationSanta Cesarea Terme

Leaving the commune of Santa Cesarea Terme, follow a surfaced path uphill before reaching an old road made up of gravel and dry-stone wall. Join a spindly inland route through fields to Castro, an ancient Messapian town surrounded by towering walls. Explore the old town, and consider taking lunch before visiting the old port – a great place to dip into the sea for a cool off. The following coastal route takes you to the Acquaviva cove, a tiny inlet and legendary swimming spot as well as fresh water spring. The final section of today’s hike takes you through the dense forest of the Acquaviva valley towards the village of Marittima.

1. Santa Cesarea Terme to Marittima
2. AccommodationMarittima

A winding path through orchards and olive groves kicks off the penultimate section of the hiking trip. Your path is largely comprised of the “Traturri”, the familiar network of traditional roads and footpaths for day to day life – linking orchards and villages to the coast. You’ll find the vestiges of this old “paesano” culture life very much in evidence as you follow a high-level route looking out over the sea. There are plenty of opportunities for a swim, as well as a “caffé in ghiacco” (iced coffee) at Tricase Porto. The last section of this day is a short stretch across asphalt to the coastal hamlet Marina Serra (which also has some fantastic swimming spots).

1. Marittima to Marina Serra
2. AccommodationMarina Serra

The last day of your journey begins with a brief incline uphill on a trail known locally as Sentiero del Nemico (enemy’s path), an archaic name deriving from its strategic location for fending-off outsiders. A short asphalt path joins with some more of the typical “traturri” along the coast to Novaglie, a rocky beach that is an ideal for a rest stop. From here, your path meets the famous “Sentiero delle Cipolliane”, with its spectacular caves open for discovery. Take a break to enjoy the last swimming point of your journey at Ciolo Bridge, and from the sheltered Ciolo cove, follow the Ciolo valley to Gagliano del Capo.Transferred to your accommodation in Lecce, with the evening free to explore the city. Alternatively, we can arrange an extension to your holiday in Bari, or the town of Alberobello in the Trulli region.

1. Marina Serra to Gagliano del Capo
2. transfer
3. AccommodationLecce

Breakfast and public transfer to the airport (additional option of pre-booking private transfer, request at point of enquiry).