Itinerary at a glance

Combine hiking with baths in the sea and Italian specialties like fresh fish and homemade pasta. The mosaic floor of the Cathedral of Santa Annunziata in Otranto is as impressive as the Ciolo Bay.

Your hiking adventure begins in the idyllic Idro Valley. The source of the river of the same name is in the small village of Monte S. Angelo. The landscape is very fertile, orchids, orange trees and numerous vegetables grow along the way. Across the olive groves and past the pretty stone church across the river back to Otranto, the "Pearl of the Orient".

Through the labyrinth of narrow streets of the old town you reach the new harbour. Along the coast there are numerous opportunities to stop for a swim in the crystal clear water. Soon you will catch your first glimpse of the Punta Palascia lighthouse, which from now on will be your constant companion on the way to Porto Badisco.

Today's hike takes you to the picturesque bay of Porto Badisco. Along narrow footpaths along the coast, the traditional "pagliari" - round buildings with flat roofs and dry-stone walls in which shepherds used to sleep - line the path. Across the plateau inland, over fields and through pine forests to your destination today, the spa town of Santa Cesarea Terme.

Follow the old shepherds' paths further inland to the ancient town of Castro, which impresses with its imposing town wall. The small harbour invites you to linger, take enough time to visit the old town. Then along a stony path by the sea to the mysterious Acquaviva Bay. Continue through the densely wooded Acquaviva valley to Marittima.

The trail winds through olive groves with impressive olive trees before you reach the first of several "tratturi", an ancient system of roads and paths used by the locals to connect the sea or villages and fields. Soon you will see the sea in front of you, rest in Tricase Porto for an iced coffee before arriving at the coastal village of Marina Serra.

At the end of your journey you follow the coast once again and walk on ancient tratturi to Novaglie, where you can take a rewarding break on the beach. Here begins the breath-taking "Cipolliane Way", named after the impressive caves you can visit along the way. From the delightful Ciolo Bay through the Ciolo Valley to Gagliano del Capo, from where a short train ride takes you to the baroque city of Lecce.

Hikers look out over the sea in Marina Serra

Route information

Walking

The daily tours between 2 and max. 5 hours are easy to manage with a good basic level of fitness. For the most part, you will hike on rocky coastal paths and narrow hiking trails, where sure-footedness and a bit of a head for heights are required. A few sections lead partly on asphalted side roads through the small villages and towns.

Prices & Dates

Category: beautiful, typical for the country 3***and mostly 4****-hotels, and comfortable B&Bs (partly with pool) and 1x traditional masseria (ital. country house)

Prices per person in EUR

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Services

Included

Accommodation as already mentioned
Breakfast
2 dinner (Porto Badisco and Marina Serra)
Luggage transfer
Carefully elaborated route description
Detailed tour documents 1x per room (German, English)
GPS-data available
Service hotline

Optional

Airport transfer from Brindisi to Otranto, costs EUR 130 per ride (max. 8 people).
Airport transfer from Bari to Otranto, costs EUR 285 per ride (max. 3 people), costs EUR 350 per ride (max. 8 people).
Return transfer from Lecce to the airport Brindisi, costs EUR 110 per ride (max. 3 people), costs EUR 130 per ride (max. 8 people).
Return transfer from Lecce to the airport Bari, costs EUR 240 per ride (max. 3 people), costs EUR 275 per ride (max. 8 people).
Optional transfer (instead train ride) from Gagliano to Lecce on day 7, costs EUR 100 per ride (max. 3 people, EUR 235 per ride (max. 8 people).
Reservations are required for all transfers, payable in advance.

Information

Arrival / Parking / Departure

Rail journey to Lecce and by bus (www.provincia.le.it) in approx. 1.5 hours to Otranto.
Brindisi or Bari airport. From there by bus or train to the respective railway station and by train to Lecce (from Brindisi approx. 1 hour and from Bari approx. 2 hours), continuing by bus to Otranto.
Return from Lecce by train to Brindisi or Bari (from Brindisi approx. 1 hour and from Bari approx. 2 hours) and continue by bus or train to the respective airport.

Things to note

Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price.
Train ride from Gagliano to Lecce, approx. EUR 7 per person.
You can find more important information according to the Package Travel Act here!
This tour is a partner tour.