Cammino del Salento
Discovering a wonderful area of Puglia, walking alongside the sea to get to the southernmost point of the heel of Italy
Two routes and one destination: the De Finibus Terrae sanctuary in Leuca, where Italy ends, the end of the land that becomes a peninsula, between the Ionian and Adriatic seas. It is a path of discovery that winds through the villages of inland areas and the easternmost coast of Italy, embracing people rich in different values, colors, flavors and identities. It is Porta Napoli in Lecce that is the starting point for both routes. After crossing the historic center and arriving in Piazza Sant'Oronzo, the two routes divide: for the Via del Mare, one must proceed toward the Carlo V Castle, while for the Via dei Borghi toward Porta San Biagio.
SERVICES
REFUELING POINTS
There are small stores and supermarkets at the STAGE points, except at Marina Serra. In Santa Cesarea Terme open only in summer.
PHARMACIES
There are pharmacies in Lecce, San Foca, Torre dell’Orso, Otranto, Santa Cesarea Terme (summer only), Castro, Tiggiano, Corsano, and Leuca.
SIGNAGE
Signage present along the Salento Trail.
ROAD BOTTOM.
28% asphalt (low-traffic neighborhood roads)
IN TENT
Where can one camp out?
Among the conventions related to pilgrim’s passports are campgrounds. Some affiliated b&Bs provide gardens.
Bivouac tolerated (avoid summer)
CREDENTIALS
Along the Salento Way, the Pilgrim’s Passport is available for €15, together with a list of partner accommodations.
CONTACTS
E-mail: info@camminodelsalento.it
Cel: 3382656261 (whatsapp only)
STAGE 01
STAGE 01: Lecce – San Foca 25 km
From Porta Napoli you enter the city’s historic center, where you can admire the Palazzo dei Celestini and the Basilica of Santa Croce, Piazza Sant’Oronzo and the Roman Amphitheater. From Piazza Sant’Oronzo, continue to the left in the direction of Castello (for the Via dei Borghi you must proceed to the right in the direction of Porta San Biagio). Via country roads you reach the village of Acaya, a beautiful example of a fortified town, where you also receive the first stamp on the Pilgrim’s Passport! Once on the beach, continue along the coast, with the sea always on the left!
STAGE 02
STAGE 02: San Foca – Otranto 23 km
Continue from San Foca on the bike path and a backcountry trail, arriving in Roca. Having admired the tower on the little islet, we enter the Roca Vecchia Archaeological Park and Grotta della Poesia free admission upon showing the Pilgrim’s Passport).
After a short distance, you arrive at Torre dell’Orso, follow the path to the two sisters and reach the stacks of Torre Sant’Andrea, a work of art of nature. You walk a short distance along the beach, arriving at the bridge of the Alimini lakes. Continuing through the pine forest, you reach the Bay of Turks and finally Otranto.
STAGE 03
STAGE 03: Otranto – Santa Cesarea Terme 22 km
Follow the marked path to reach the castle and descend from the moat to the harbor. Through a breathtaking coastal trek you reach the tower of the serpent, masseria orte, the small lake formerly a bauxite quarry, the palascìa lighthouse (Italy’s most easterly point), Sant’Emiliano tower, to Porto Badisco. Via paths and the Via Appia Calabro Salentina, passing Masseria Grande, we finally reach Santa Cesarea Terme, where we receive a beautiful stamp on the Pilgrim’s Passport!
STAGE 04
STAGE 04: Santa Cesarea Terme – Marina Serra 23 km
Follow the orange arrow to Porto Miggiano Bay and Castro, called the pearl of Salento. After visiting the historic center of the small village and receiving the stamp at the castle, we head down toward Castro Marina.
We continue via the belvedere path, the serra del mito path, passing the torre del sasso, the seven pajare and arriving at Tricase porto. Finally, you reach Marina Serra, famous for its fabulous swimming pool natural.
STAGE 05
STAGE 05: Marina Serra – Santa Maria di Leuca 22 km
Through the path of the Enemy and vicarious roads you reach the Baronial Palace of Tiggiano, from whose courtyard there is access to a beautiful garden with orchard and a dovecote tower. We then reach Corsano and continue toward Marina di Novaglie, where the spectacular Cipolliane trail begins, tracing the boundary between land and sea until it reaches the inlet of Ciolo.
You reach Gagliano del Capo via a route dotted with caves and cliffs, and continuing on narrow roads you arrive at Erma Antica, where the ritual of the stones of the ancient pilgrims is performed. Arriving at the foot of the monumental waterfall of Santa Maria di Leuca 284 steps separate you from the Santuario de Finibus Terrae, the final destination of the Salento Trail.
Journey diaries
Cammino del Salento - VIA DEL MARE
With the free Cammini d’Italia app, you can plan and walk the Via del Mare in complete safety, being able to plan the STAGE in detail and walk the route thanks to the built-in GPS technology that supports you in orientation during your adventure.
Within the app you will find many other paths present in Italy. Thanks to the georeferenced tracks of many routes you will be able to study the itinerary that suits you best and also download the GPX tracks of the individual STAGEs offline.
The app also includes a complete digital map of all the paths surveyed to date on our portal, giving you a wide range of choices among the many paths in the Belpaese.
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Cammini d’Italia is the perfect app for those who want to explore the beauty of Italy on foot, discovering hidden places surrounded by nature. Download it for free today and start planning your next adventure!
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