
Discovering Puglia on walk
Self-guided – 8 days
A holiday among the most suggestive places in Puglia, at the slow pace of a walk. Alberobello is the starting point of your walking tour: UNESCO site and essential destination for those who want to discover everything about the Trulli. Crossing the Aqueduct Cycleway you will then arrive in Locorotondo, the balcony overlooking the Itria Valley. Then it will be the turn of Ostuni, the white city suspended on expanses of green olive groves.
To conclude, the coast on the Adriatic Sea, with the beaches and sea caves near Monopoli.
Ready to set off?
Itinerary
DAY 1: ALBEROBELLO
Arrival in Alberobello and check- in. Welcome briefing with a member of Puglia Hiking Tours staff.
DAY 2: BARSENTO - ALBEROBELLO
12 km
Today a short private transfer will take you to one of the most important areas of the Itria Valley: it is here that the “Barsentana” way connected the region from one sea to the other, 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 examples of a church built in “Trullo” technique!
After a visit, continue your walk through century- old beech woods, and have a look at the little caves around you, like the “Soap” or “Holy Mary” cave. You will finally arrive in Alberobello, UNESCO heritage site and world capital of Trulli.
Elev. Gain: +199/-131 mt
DAY 3: COREGGIA - LOCOROTONDO
14.3 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 you to Coreggia, and from here you 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 white town is listed in the “Borghi più belli d’Italia” network, which celebrates the most authentic and hidden Italy. You will surely understand why, after a stroll in the labyrinthine old town, a glimpse at the unique “cummerse” houses, or simply sipping a glass of local PDO white wine over the panoramic “Belvedere”.
Elev. Gain: +151/-127 mt
DAY 4: ULMO PINEWOOD - LOCOROTONDO
18.2 km
Leaving Locorotondo behind you, a short private transfer will take you to Pineta Ulmo (Ulmo Pinewood), a green oasis with Aleppo pines and Mediterranean scrub.
Enjoy the amazing view over the valley from the “Canale Galante” bridge, the longest and most impressive bridge of the whole Apulian Pipeline, before a short break at “Monte Castel Pagano”, a mysterious and charming spot in the woods.
The simple and quiet Valle d’Itria scenery, amongst Trulli houses and ancient dry-stone walls, will accompany you along the way, until you’ll take again the “Ciclovia dell’Acquedotto” in Contrada Figazzanoand finally reach again Locorotondo.
Elev. Gain: +206/-150 mt
DAY 5: SANT'ORONZO SANCTUARY - OSTUNI
15.5 km
This is probably one the most fascinating walks of the trip: amidst holm oak woods and scents of rosemary and thyme, you will reach by private transfer the “Santuario di Sant’Oronzo” – Saint Oronzo 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 still come 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, you 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.
Elev. Gain: +220/-292 mt
DAY 6: SAVELLETRI - EGNAZIA - (FASANO STATION - MONOPOLI)
10.6 km
Today is truly a walk through history! A short private transfer will take you to Savelletri, a small fishing village. You will walk for a few kilometres along the Adriatic coast, following the ancient route of the Via Traiana.
You will then meet it for real, with its authentic cobblestones, as you arrive at the Archaeological Park of Egnatia, which brings to light an important port city of Roman times. You can visit both the park and the museum thanks to the admission ticket included in the package.
You will now leave the smell of the sea to meet the quiet of a countryside made up of large centuries-old olive trees, vegetable gardens, red earth and dry stone walls.
You will be within walking distance of the Fasano train station, from where, with one of the frequent trains, you will reach Monopoli in a few minutes.
Elev. Gain: +82/-27 mt
DAY 7: SAN VITO - MONOPOLI
15.1 km
Get ready to see the best-known Puglia of sea, sun and lively harbours today!
A short private transfer will take you 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 11th century.
Walking along the coastline you 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 your route: whether you want to enjoy the view of the bay form the ancient roman bridge, or taste 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 harbor and the animated “Chiassi”, little courtyards where the local life takes place.
Elev. Gain: +155/-149 mt
DAY 8: MONOPOLI
Breakfast, check-out and end of services.