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Coastal Hiking Puglia

Olives, orange trees and ancient fishing villages.

The land of the trulli awaits you with magnificent beaches and a landscape lined with olive groves and citrus trees. Follow the enchanting coastal path where vast views of the glittering blue sea are your constant companions. Following winding shepherds' paths, you will reach dreamy fishing villages just waiting to be discovered, make sure you taste the catch of the day there. The landscape changes just as spectacularly as your hiking route, rugged cliffs give way to the open meadows of the Apulian savannah, ancient stone walls and lush forests characterise the landscape. The rustling of ancient olive trees, the chirping of crickets and the smell of wild fennel and liquorice accompany you all the way to your destination in Lecce – and again and again the round domed roofs of the "Pagliari" greet you as if from times long past.

Details about the walking tour Coastal Hiking Puglia

On our coastal hiking tour in Apulia, also known as Puglia, experience the dreaming region in the best possible way – by foot. From Otranto, the route takes you on good hiking trails through the southeast of Italy. Your daily stages will take you to Porto Badisco, the spa town of Santa Cesarea Terme, the ancient town of Castro, Marittima, the coastal village of Marina Serra and finally to your final destination in the city of Lecce. In the evening you can look forward to delicious Mediterranean specialities of the region such as orecchiette pasta, freshly caught seafood from the grill, focaccia, burrata or a good aperitivo with taralli. You will stay in hotels and typical local accommodation selected with great care.

Highlights of the hiking tour Coastal Hiking Puglia

  • Diverse culture in Otranto: Right at the start of your tour you have the opportunity to get to know the ‘pearl of the orient’. The picturesque coastal town offers wonderful beaches and cultural musts such as the cathedral Santa Annunziata with its impressive mosaic floor covering around 1,600m2.
  • Refreshing breaks from hiking: On your coastal hiking tour there is lots of time to enjoy a magnificent moment of relaxation in the unspoiled beaches and refreshing crystal-clear water.
  • Picture perfect landscapes up close: By foot, you will march through the picturesque landscape, which is characterised by olive groves, pine forests, vineyards and quiet villages. While hiking, you have the opportunity to take a break at any time to enjoy this wonderful panorama.
  • Hiking on historical "tratturi": In Puglia there are numerous "tratturi", which in past times connected the villages with the sea. These natural paths of gravel or grass were important trade routes for the transport of agricultural products such as wine, grain or olive oil. Furthermore, shepherds used these paths to lead their herds of cattle to water sources.

Useful information about the tour Coastal Hiking Puglia

This hiking tour in South Italy is classified as ‘walking’ and the daily stages are planned to take two to eight hours to be completed. The picturesque coastal landscape impressive hiking trails will become an unforgettable active adventure with a good basic level of fitness and surefootedness.

Walking
Walking
  • 7 Days / 6 Nights
  • Self-guided Tour
Verena Winkler
Verena Winkler
+43 6219 60877 171 Contact
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Itinerary

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".

approx. 2 hours
8 km
100 m
100 m

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.

approx. 5 hours
13 km
270 m
240 m

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.

approx. 4 hours
13 km
200 m
170 m

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.

approx. 4,5 hours
12 km
310 m
250 m

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.

approx. 4,5 hours
14 km
310 m
370 m

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.

approx. 5 hours
13 km
530 m
380 m

Tour character

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 and events

All data for 2023 at a glance
Place of arrival: Otranto
  Season Saison 1
20.03.2023 - 23.05.2023
01.10.2023 - 31.10.2023

daily
Season Saison 2
24.05.2023 - 26.06.2023
01.09.2023 - 30.09.2023

daily
Season Saison 3
27.06.2023 - 18.07.2023

daily
Season Saison 4
19.07.2023 - 26.07.2023

daily
Coastal Hiking Puglia, 8 days, IT-APWOL-08X
Base price
749.00
799.00
829.00
859.00
Surcharge single room 259.00 359.00 379.00 399.00

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)

Additional nights can be booked in each stage town, prices on request!

Season Saison 1
Mar 20, 2023 - May 23, 2023
Oct 1, 2023 - Oct 31, 2023
daily
Season Saison 2
May 24, 2023 - Jun 26, 2023
Sep 1, 2023 - Sep 30, 2023
daily
Season Saison 3
Jun 27, 2023 - Jul 18, 2023
daily
Season Saison 4
Jul 19, 2023 - Jul 26, 2023
daily
Coastal Hiking Puglia, 8 days, IT-APWOL-08X
Base price
Surcharge single room
749.00
259.00
799.00
359.00
829.00
379.00
859.00
399.00

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)

Additional nights can be booked in each stage town, prices on request!

Prices per person in EUR

Services and infos

Leistungen

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.
Infos

Anreise / Parken / Abreise:

  • 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.

Hinweis:

  • 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!
Contact & booking
Do you still have questions about the tour? We are happy to help and look forward to your inquiry.
Verena Winkler
"I will help you with the planning of your holidays with advice and action"
Verena Winkler, Travel specialist
Book now

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