Hiking Gargano

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Hiking Gargano

Days / Nights
7 / 6
Type
Self-guided
Difficulty

Level 4:
Ideal for people with good physical fitness and an established habit of long walks in nature. Stages can be around 6 hours in length, with positive elevation gains even around 1,000mt. Routes on heterogeneous terrain, including stony contracts. Possibility of stretches, not particularly long, with steep inclines.

from
880,00

Walking trip in the Gargano peninsula, Puglia

Self-guided tour – 7 days

The Gargano peninsula is one of the most unknown and yet unspoiled areas of our tiny Italian heel. Overlooking the Adriatic Sea, its position, combined with a karstic soil and different microclimates, creates the perfect habitat for a wide range of botanical and animal species.
Can you name another place where is possible to walk among wild orchids, Mediterranean scrub and pinewoods perched on white cliffs? Do not forget the Umbra Forest beechwood (declared UNESCO site in 2017), as well as kestrels, deer and ‘Podolica’ cattle at pasture.
While wandering around the Gargano National Park, it is very easy to be amazed one-step after another. Gargano is fascinating not just for its natural heritage, but also for its ancient history.
The Daunians, a tribe of conquerors from the other side of the Adriatic, got here in the VII century BC, leaving a culture of funerary steles and geometrical pottery. During medieval times, Gargano became an extraordinary pilgrimage centre, where people from all over the Christian world used to gather at Saint Michael sanctuary. For this reason, Gargano was known as the ‘Holy Mountain’.
This beautiful area will amaze you with stunning landscapes, relaxing paths into the woods and captivating history. Not to mention the delicious and genuine cuisine and mild local manners.
How about preparing your backpack right now?





Itinerary

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1

DAY 1: MONTE SANT'ANGELO

Arrival in Monte Sant’Angelo and check-in. Welcome briefing with a member of Puglia Hiking Tours staff.
Free time to visit the historical city centre: discover the medieval castle, the Sanctuary – today a UNESCO site and one of the most beautiful natural caves of the world! –, the Santa Maria Maggiore church with its frescoes, the ‘Junno’ old district with its whitewashed low houses. If you get hungry during the walk, do not miss one of the many delicious bakery around!

Saint Michael Sanctuary – Old district – local bakery products

2

DAY 2: MONTE SANT'ANGELO - MATTINATA

11.4 km

The first of your hiking trails in Gargano starts in Monte Sant’Angelo, approximately 800mt above sea level. From here, you will smoothly descend towards Mattinata and the coastline, walking on hidden ‘tratturi – ancient shepherds paths  – between terraces and dry-stone walls. Passing through a shady pinewood, you will reach the bottom of Carbonara Valley.

After a few kilometres, between country lanes and olive groves by the sea, you will finally get to the small town of Mattinata.

Elev. Gain +84/-874 mt

Woods – Sea – Olive trees

3

DAY 3: MATTINATA LOOP (MONTE SARACENO)

8.8 km

Today’s walk will give you the opportunity to go up to the nearby Monte Saraceno and to discover its ancient Daunians necropolis, the place where this fierce population used to bury important members of the community.
From here, you can enjoy a stunning view of the Gargano white coast, together with the Mattinata plain landscape, full of olive groves and fields.
A trail through the Mediterranean bush will take you to the renowned pebble beach of Mattinata. Then, a quiet path will take you back to your accommodation.

Elev. Gain +266/-288 mt

Monte Saraceno and Necropolis – walk on the cliff – Mattinata shore

4

DAY 4: MATTINATA - MONTE SACRO

14.6 km

Starting from Mattinata, get ready for a nice walk in the hidden green ‘mulattiere’, old countryside trails originally walked by pack animals like mules.

You will pass through Ripe Rosse, a red limestone cliff overlooking the bay, until you reach the Tagliata valley.
This is a perfect example of Gargano inland. It is easy to find the typical natural rainwater pools of the area, named ‘cutini, in a scenery dotted by rolling hills, wild orchids, kestrels, and ‘podolica’ cattle at pasture.
The last climb of the day will pay off all your efforts: once on the top, take a deep breath and enjoy the silent ruins of the Monte Sacro Abbey, a jewel placed in the deep forest of the so-called Holy Mountain.

Elev. Gain +1023/-425 mt

Ripe Rosse cliffs – Monte Sacro Abbey

5

DAY 5: MONTE SACRO - FORESTA UMBRA - MASSERIA SGARRAZZA

16.4 km

Leaving Monte Sacro, and taking the old Saint Michael pilgrims’ route, you will get to the extreme south-east border of the Umbra Forest. Thanks to the peninsula’s isolation over the ages, you will have the chance to walk through extraordinary maple woods, monumental oaks of different species, and magnificent beech woods, now belonging to the UNESCO heritage. Once out of the green forest, a path amid pastures and Mediterranean scrub will lead you to Masseria Sgarrazza, a real farmhouse still in business.

Elev. Gain +256/-536 mt

Umbra Forest – Pilgrims’ Path – Podolica cattle – Orchids

6

DAY 6: MASSERIA SGARRAZZA - VIESTE

12.6 km

Starting from Masseria Sgarrazza, you will head again towards the coast, across olive groves, pines and scents of rosemary and thyme. You will notice Vieste from far away: perched on a white cliff, overlooking an astonishing turquoise sea, its magical atmosphere makes it the town of lovers.

Take some time for a walk in the narrow alleys of the old town centre, a visit to the imposing mediaeval Basilica, or an unforgettable ‘trabucco’ experience.

Elev. Gain +165/-486 mt

Gargano National Park – Vieste – Trabucco

7

DAY 7: VIESTE

After breakfast, check-out and end of services.

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On request

You can book an extra day in Vieste: the perfect way to take advantage of the white long beaches, or take a boat trip (weather permitted!) to explore the several sea caves and coves along the Gargano coastline, or even to reach the famous Tremiti Islands.

Low Season (March, April, October, November): from € 880 per person
High Season (May, June, September): from € 980 per person

*July and August on request

This tour is available in March, April, May, June, September, October, November.
If you prefer to walk around Puglia at other times of the year, contact us and we will find a suitable solution for you.

  • 6 nights in typical residences / farmhouses and farms / 3-4* hotels, with breakfast
  • 2 dinners (drinks not included) on day 4 and 5
  • Luggage transportation
  • GPS device or outdoor smartphone with uploaded tracks
  • Extra Garmin eTrex Touch 35 with uploaded tracks
  • Power bank
  • Infrasound device to keep dogs away
  • Medical and baggage insurance
  • Complete assistance
  • Cultural and gastronomic advice along the way
  • Tourist taxes to be paid locally, where applicable
  • Tips

These are some extra services you can add to your trip. If you are interested, please contact us.

  • Hiking sticks: 20,00 €
  • Emergency kit: 15,00 €
  • Extra power bank: 15.00 €
  • Extra water bottle: 8.00 €
  • Single room supplement: from € 30,00 per night
  • Private transfers: on request
  • Extra nights: on request

We have selected for you the best bed and breakfasts, agritourisms and 3 or 4 star hotels (depending on availability), equipped with all the comforts a traveler may need. Here are the typologies:
Monte Sant’Angelo: hotel in the heart of the historic centre.
Mattinata: high level farmhouse with swimming pool.
Monte Sacro: authentic farmhouse, with swimming pool, in the Gargano National Park.
Contrada San Salvatore: a real working farm, with views of the surrounding woods and the sea.
Vieste: Boutique Hotel in the historic center, with a magnificent view of the bay.

[the reservation of these structures may vary depending on availability].

On request and subject to availability, we can also offer 5-star accommodation.

The formula of this circuit is free, allowing you to walk independently, at your own pace. We will book the hotels, we will provide you with assistance and Garmin eTrex Touch 35 navigators (or IP68 smartphones) with which you can follow the route we have designed for you.

During the trip, you can meet other customers, staying in the same hotels, participating in the same trip or a similar trip. In addition to the pleasure of meeting other hiking enthusiasts, you will always remain independent in your departure and arrival times.

Our tours represent Puglia in every way – even at altitude! Puglia is a hilly region surrounded by the sea: this is what you will discover step by step. Some of these stages are almost completely flat, others are fun climbs and descents, others have short climbs and scenic views, which will bring out the adventurer in you, even if only over a few hundred meters.
We have created a route to achieve a very difficult goal: to show you the most beautiful corners of our region, walking on the most suggestive paths.
The tour is suitable for anyone who is relatively accustomed to walking, regardless of age.
Either way, it’s always a pleasure for us to listen to your needs and customize the tour, giving you the best experience ever!

On average each day there will be 15 kilometers to cover, with some even shorter stages (just over 10) and only one longer one, around 20 Km.

The places of departure and arrival (Monte Sant’Angelo and Vieste) can be reached by different bus lines (Marozzi, Ferrovie del Gargano), departing from Foggia, using Trenitalia. Bus times may vary. Before your trip, we will therefore be happy to provide you with all the up-to-date information you need.
In any case, on request, there is also a private transfer service with driver from all airports, stations and ports of Puglia.

Full support

Customers have one of our assistants available at all times in case of problems or needs.
On the day of arrival, customers will meet our operator for a welcome briefing, during which he/she will provide them with equipment (maps, GPS device, etc.) and useful information on the route and the use of the GPS/smartphone.
If there is any unexpected problem, he/she will help you solve the problem or suggest the best solution.

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