Arrival in Alberobello and check- in. Welcome briefing with a guide of Puglia Hiking Tours staff.

+/- 11.5 km

A short private transfer will take us to one of the most important areas of the Itria Valley: here, in the past, the “Barsentana” way connected the region coast to coast, from the Ionian to the Adriatic.
Pole of these trades was the “Barsento” church and the community around: this building, related to the VII C, is one of the most unique example of a church built with the dry-stone technique, the same used to build the Trulli!
After a visit, let’s continue our walk through century-year-old beech woods, and have a look at the little caves around you, like the “Soap” or “Holy Mary” cave.
We will finally arrive in Alberobello, UNESCO heritage site and world capital of Trulli.

Elevation: + 171 mt, – 94 mt

+/- 14.4 km

Today’s walk winds in the very heart of the Itria Valley, where the “trulli”, our typical conic-roofed rural houses, are omnipresent in a lush greenery, amidst gentle hills.
A brief private transfer will take us  to Coreggia, and from here we will mainly walk on the “Ciclovia dell’Acquedotto”, one of the greatest water pipelines in Europe, today part of a local network of cycling and walking trails. You will finally reach Locorotondo, walking surrounded by trulli and ancient bridges, olive groves and vineyards, cherry orchards and Mediterranean scrub.
This town is one of the ‘Borghi più belli d’Italia’ (Italy’s most beautiful villages) and you’ll understand why after a walk through the labyrinthine historic centre, past ‘cummerse’ and flowering courtyards, or while sipping a glass of the local DOC wine.
That’s exactly what you’ll do on this guided tour, with spectacular views of the valley below and vineyards as far as the eye can see!

Elevation: + 153 mt,  -107 mt

+/- 17.5 km

Leaving Locorotondo behind us, we continue walking heading south, taking again the “Ciclovia dell’Acquedotto” in Contrada Figazzano. The simple and quiet Itria Valley scenery, amongst Trulli houses and ancient dry-stone walls, will accompany you along the way.
After a short break at “Monte Castel Pagano”, a mysterious and charming spot in the woods, enjoy the amazing view over the valley from the “Canale Galante” bridge, the longest and most impressive bridge of the whole Apulian Pipeline.
Last stop is Pineta Ulmo (Ulmo Pinewood), a green oasis with Aleppo pines and Mediterranean scrub. A short private transfer will take us back to Locorotondo.

Elevation: + 101 mt, – 166 mt

+/- 11.0 km

This is probably one the most fascinating walks of the trip: amidst holm oak woods and scents of rosemary and thyme, we will reach the “Santuario di San Biagio” –Saint Biagio Sanctuary-, up on hilly green path. The Sanctuary is a 10C small byzantine church, marked by time, leaning against the rock face, where the most religious Ostuni inhabitants come still nowadays to worship one of the town’s protectors!
This upland area is the perfect spot to admire the green expanse of olive trees, growing up from the red soil and arriving almost close to the Adriatic Sea.
Continuing your walk, we will see a white town shining in the distance: it is Ostuni!
Get ready for a maze of narrow alleys and white stairs, baroque gates and small courtyards, a town within the town, which seems out of the time.

Elevation: + 235 mt, – 277 mt

+/- 9.6 km

This is a real walk in history! A brief private transfer will take us to  Savelletri, a small and characteristic fishing village. After a few kilometres through quiet country roads, along an authentic stretch of the “Via Traiana”, dating back to Roman times, we will arrive at Egnazia Archaeological Park, a wonderful site full of extraordinary artefacts from the Messapian and Roman eras. We will left the scent of the sea to meet a quiet countryside full of centuries-old olive trees, red earth and dry stone walls. This is how you will reach the “Parco Rupestre Lama d’Antico“. This small jewel is located in a “lama“, a shallow depression of the ground, dotted with olive trees and Mediterranean scrub; inside we have the chance to  visit the rooms and rupestrian churches carved out of the caves, with the incredible frescoes of the Byzantine era. We will be a few steps away from the station of Fasano. From here we can catch one of the frequent trains and reach Monopoli in a few minutes.

Elevation: + 16 mt, – 70 mt

+/- 16.0 km

Get ready to see the best-known Puglia of sea, sun and lively harbours today!
A short private transfer will take us to San Vito, a small fishing village: it is impossible not to notice the “gozzi”, our typical blue boats, usually moored on the sandy shore, used to fish close to the coast. Take also a look at the magnificent abbey with its monastery, dating back to the 11^th century.
Walking along the coastline we will discover rocky beaches, small coves and fantastic caves carved in the cliff: among many of them, have a look at “Grotta delle Rondinelle” (Swallows Cavern), “Grotta Sella”, and “Grotta dell’Eremita” (Hermit’s Cave) with the mysterious islet facing it.
We definitely recommend a stop in Polignano a Mare during our route: whether you want to enjoy the view of the bay form the ancient roman bridge, or taste a handmade gelato or a “caffè speciale” in the main square, or breathe the sea breeze from one of the many balconies scattered in the old town.
This stage ends in Monopoli, one of the liveliest towns along the Adriatic Coast, famous for its little fishing harbour and the animated “Chiassi”, little courtyards where the local life takes place.

Elevation: + 115 mt, – 112 mt

Breakfast, check out and end of services.