A trek in Basilicata will surprise you
for the variety of the landscapes through which you will
pass. From the unusual excursions along rupestrian villages
and upon the Matera Moors, to the peaks of the Pollino,
you’ll pass through the prairies and forests of the
Gallipoli Cognato Park.
Your walk will begin with a visit to the city of Matera;
then move along the Rock Church Park, rich in ravines and
marked by the signs of Mediterranean history and nature;
then on to discover prehistoric caves, Neolithic villages
and rupestrian houses and frescoed churches. Afterwards
we will move on towards the south through Lamaquacchiolan
and Saracen rupestrian villages. We will then proceed towards
Accettura, through the Gallipoli Cognato Park, with its
magnificent grassy plateaus from which one can admire the
savage walls of the Lucano Dolomites, with the small towns
of Pietrapertosa and Castelmezzano set amongst them.
You’ll follow gradual and panoramic trails, allowing
you to better enjoy this splendid natural environment.
The next day you will reach the Pollino. This massif is
surrounded by valleys painted with streams running down
them and rocky mountains that jealously preserve the best
examples of the rare Loricato Pine. The last stop will
bring you to the Tyrrhenian coast and the dominating panoramic
views from Maratea.
Uncontaminated nature, intense light and panoramas will
leave you with enchanting memories of this exploration
of Basilicata on foot.
Duration: 8 days – 7 nights
Day I -
[T]
Morning arrival at the Bari airport and
transfer to Matera (45 min.) Get situated at the B&B
or the Old Residence.
Dinner at a restaurant in the Sassi.
Day II -[TE]
After breakfast, guided tour of the Sassi
( UNESCO world heritage site), and in the historic centre.
Lunch at a restaurant in the Sassi.
Afternoon, short hike in the Ravine.
A light walking tour among the rock churches and villages
that run along the Matera canyon.
Dinner of the local specialty of puréed
fava beans and chicory accompanied by the crusty, flavourful
local bread.
Day
III - [EE]
The Archaeological Park of the Rock Churches:
Here you’ll take a short trip on the Matera Moors
to discover the treasures of rupestrian civilization and
botanical and faunistic heritage. Route: the Jazzo dell’Ofra
cave, the Grotta dei Pipistrelli (cave of bats), the Grotta
funeraria (funeral cave), the Jazzo di Lamaquacchiola,
the Cristo la Selva cave and a Saracen village.
Sack-lunch at the Cristo la Selva cave.
In the evening visit the town of Montescaglioso
with the ancient Abbey of S. Michele Arcangelo and dinner
at an Agriturism.
Day IV -
[EE]
Transfer to the Park of Gallipoli Cognato
(60min.)
Beginning with a visit to the Palace, we then move on
to the Saracen fortress of Pietrapertosa, almost entirely
carved out of rock and offering a great panoramic view
of the Basento valley. Then on foot from the castle we
take a trail that descends with the Caperrino river and
passes over an ancient bridge and ascends up to Castelmezzano,
all the while being towered over by the spectacular Pietrapertosa
Dolomites.
Dinner at a typical local restaurant
and over-night stay.
Day V -
[E]
The Pollino National Park: excursion on
the massif in search of the ancient traditions and treasures
of the Southern Apennines; visit the small town of San
Costantino Albanese, site of a small community of Albanian
(Arbereshe) origin that settled itself in the region in
the XVI century.
Dine on the flavours of the Lucano mountains:
caciocavallo podolico cheese, on cruschi bell peppers,
beans and various seasoned meats and cheeses.
Day VI -
[EE]
Excursion in the “heart” of
the Pollino Park
In the morning: the excursion begins at the Imiso Hill
which, passing through splendid forests, meets up on the
Plateaus of the Pollino, high prairies surrounded by the
peaks of the massif, where the Loricato Pine, the symbol
of the Park, undisputedly dominates.
Here among this splendid scenery there
will be a break (sack-lunch). Then one reaches the Plateau
Balconies at which point we turn around and go back along
the same route until reaching the Impiso Hill once again.
Return to town for dinner.
Day
VII - [E]
The Lucano Tyrrhenian coast: Maratea and
Rivello
Arrival in Maratea:
Visit Mount San Biagio and the statue of the Redeemer with
a breathtaking panorama of the cliffs and coves along the
coast. On foot one descends into the countryside along
a paved path to visit the historic centre.
Lunch at an Agriturism.
Transfer to Rivello:
Visit the characteristic medieval centre and the artisan
shops (summer alternative: excursion by boat along the
Maratea coast, with lunch on board, or rafting on the
rapids of the river Lao).
Day VIII
Breakfast and departure.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Level: E – EE moderate to
difficult, mixed terrain with elevations between 400 and
2200 m.; 5 to 6 hours of walking per day with hills that
vary from 300 to 800 m.
A moderate level of physical fitness is necessary.
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights (5 days trekking).
Departures: every day from March to November. Guide: yes.
Accommodation: Old residences, B&B’s, agriturisms
and mountain refuges. Participants: min. 8 people.
Baggage Transport: yes.
Day
III -
Day
VII -
