Puglia Coastal Walk

Today you will make your own way to Otranto and check-in at the first hotel. When you've settled in you can step outside and breathe in the incredibly fresh, crisp air of the Mediterranean Sea and explore Otranto, known as the "Pearl of the Orient". We recommend visiting the historic centre with its famed cathedral, and in the evening delighting your senses as you sample the local delicacies.

Today you head out on a great warm up walk where you will discover the small Idro valley, which gives Otranto (Hidruntum) its name. The Idro river spring is about 5km from Otranto, in a location called Monte S. Angelo. You'll walk through fertile land rich with orchards, olive trees, oranges and a variety of vegetables. The walk starts on the left side of the river, then heads upstream, across fields of olive trees and passes by the S. Angelo rock church. Finally you descend along the right side of the stream as you head back to Otranto. Overnight Otranto. Walk: 7.5km/4.5mi, ascent: 96m/315ft, descent: 96m/315ft. Surf/Unsurf 51/49%

Leaving from Otranto you will walk through the maze of the narrow alleys of the old town until you reach the new port. Here a flat, gravel coastal path contours around a series of coves. You'll pass by several WWII bunkers and can make a short detour to visit an interesting "bauxite lake". Walking along the coast you have the option to take several "beach stops", where you can swim in the clear waters. Continue along the coast towards the clearly visible Punta Palascia Lighthouse. At some points the knee-high Mediterranean vegetation becomes thick and the route may become hard to see, but as long as you have the lighthouse in front and the sea on your left you are on the right track! For the last 2km (1.25mi) before reaching the lighthouse you can follow an alternative route along the main road to avoid the more challenging steep rocky section to the lighthouse. On clear days you can see the Albanian mountains across the Adriatic Sea. Punta Palascìa lighthouse is the easternmost point of Italy and just 71km from Albania. Overnight in Porto Badisco. Walk: 12.7km/7.9mi, ascent: 270m/886ft, descent: 240m/787ft. Surf/Unsurf 14/86% Note: On occasion, this night may be in Santa Cesarea Terme where you stay on day 4, subject to availability. In this case return transfers are included between Porto Badisco & Santa Cesarea Terme but dinner is not included.

The first stop of today's walk is the beautiful inlet of Porto Badisco, just before the local bar/newsagent/supermarket where you can buy a coffee and panino for today’s picnic. Continue along the coast following a shepherd's path, where you will see the typical "pagliari", a round, flat topped, dry stone building where shepherds used to sleep. After around 6km/4mi you leave the coast, climbing up to the inland plateau which is a moderate ascent. Here you follow narrow paths through the fields and will come across a lovely picnic spot in a little pine tree forest that offers shade. The last part of today's walk is on a surfaced road, descending quite steeply to the spa town of Santa Cesarea Terme, which has many great swimming spots. Overnight Santa Cesarea Terme. Walk: 13km/8mi, ascent: 200m/656ft, descent: 170m/558ft. Surf/Unsurf 31/69%

On leaving Santa Cesarea, you'll start climbing uphill on a surfaced road until you reach an old gravel/grass dry-stone walled road. Staying inland, you'll follow narrow paths through the fields until you reach the ancient Messapian town of Castro, with its imposing high walls. You can spend some time here exploring the old town and maybe have lunch before descending to the port where you can go swimming. This afternoon, continue along the coast on a uneven, rocky trail to the Acquaviva cove - a beautiful hidden inlet and fantastic swimming spot where a fresh water spring comes out at sea level. The last part of the path climbs up the thickly forested Acquaviva valley towards Marittima, where you will stay tonight. Walk: 11.5km/7mi, ascent: 309m/1014ft, descent: 370m/1214ft. Surf/Unsurf 54/46%

After buying picnic supplies in Marittima, start your walk for the day. Initially following a surfaced road that winds its way through orchards of olive trees, you'll then see the first of several traditional "tratturi", a system of ancient roads and footpaths used by the locals to go down to the sea or to connect villages and orchards. Each stone tells the story of a hard peasant life. The sea is in front of you when you descend to Tricase Porto, where you can sample a great "caffè in ghiaccio" (iced coffee) and go for a swim. From here you have some asphalt walking to today’s final destination, Marina Serra, a small coastal hamlet with great swimming spots. Walk: 13.5km/8.5mi, ascent: 310m/1017ft, descent: 370m/1214ft. Surf/Unsurf 55/45%

The last walk of your trip starts on a short uphill trail called Sentiero del Nemico ("enemy's path"), which was once the ideal place to lay an ambush on unexpected visitors. After walking on some asphalt on the coastal road, the trail heads inland on another ancient "tratturi", finally reaching Novaglie, a lovely rocky beach. From here you start walking on the breathtaking "Cipolliane path", which is named after the caves you can visit along the way. This path leads you to the Ciolo bridge, the last great swimming spot of the trip. From the tiny Ciolo cove you walk up the Ciolo valley to Gagliano del Capo. Collect your luggage at the train station (Gagliano Leuca) and take the train to Lecce (approx. 2hrs)*. Overnight in the beautiful Baroque city of Lecce, your hotel is located a short block from the train station. Walk: 12.5km/7.9mi, ascent: 530m/1739ft, descent: 380m/1247ft. Surf/Unsurf 66/34% *Note: In Spring and Autumn there is no public transport on Sundays from Gagliano del Capo train station to Lecce and a private transfer is required - supplement applies.