Salento Coast to Coast
A full immersion week in Salento, walking along the Adriatic and Ionian coast.
More info

PUGLIA

8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS

AVERAGE LEVEL

95 KM

MAX 16 PAX

A full immersion week in Salento, walking along the Adriatic and Ionian coast, with hikes crisscrossing coast and countryside, exploring the coastal caves, moving along the watchtowers or the old shepherds tracks that wind between the dry stone walls typical of these lands.

The combination of historical elements and naturalistic aspects are continuously intertwined during the walks, designed to take you on foot to your daily destination with plenty of time to discover a new destination every day: Otranto, Santa Maria di Leuca, Santa Cesarea, Gallipoli and obviously Lecce, the baroque capital.

The week can be completed with different experiences such as tastings, workshops or guided tours, to celebrate every day with something special.

Discover the full itinerary

fill out the form and book this experience!

Day 1

Arrival in Otranto

Independent arrival in Otranto, check-in at the hotel or B&B, early evening briefing on the overall program accompanied by a welcome aperitif. 

Day 2

From Otranto to Baia dei Turchi

First day of trekking that starts directly from Otranto towards routes that run along the high cliffs of the Otranto coast or that turn around to shaded local dirt roads when the cliffs are less practicable due to their fragility. During the walk you will encounter hidden caves and small semi-deserted bays where you can enjoy a quick swim before continuing your journey along paths of Mediterranean scrub among mastic, myrtle and olive trees, fig trees and blackberry bushes.

The arrival at the Baia dei Turchi is a perfect end of the walk with its hidden bays where you can chill out, swim or sunbath on low and sandy beaches. If you are not tired yet, you can continue with a second track that will take you through the pine forests on the edge of Alimini lake to find yourself at the end of the walk again at the Baia dei Turchi where you will take the FSE bus that will take you back to the center of Otranto in 15 minutes.

Gradient: 50m

Duration: 3.45 hours

Length: 11 km

Day 3

The coastline until Santa Cesarea

This morning you will start walking immediately from the port of Otranto towards the south pointing to Santa Cesarea Terme, the destination of the day. During the walk you will leave behind the bay of Orte where you can visit Lake Bauxite with a small detour before heading to the Palascìa lighthouse and beyond towards the Sant’Emiliano tower and the small bay of Porto Badisco. From there you will continue cutting through the Mediterranean scrub to go on and off of the coastline until Santa Cesarea. It will welcome you with its streets full of bustle and life, its coves, the spas and your new accommodation for the night.

Gradient: 50 m

Duration: 5.50 hours

Length: 22 km

Day 4

The natural pools of Marina Serra

From Santa Cesarea you start walking on inner dirty roads towards Castro, where you will walk through the upper part of the town to go down towards the port continuing on the sea side. Another wonderful bay where you can stop for a regenerating swim is that of Acquaviva, about 5 km from Castro, perfect timing for a break and a coffee at the beach bar. The path continues on the countryside along dry stone walls on old sheep tracks. As you approach the Andrano marina , you will walk along the greenhouse of myth with a wonderful view of the Adriatic sea. Once past Tricase Porto with its marina, the natural pools of Marina Serra await you where you can take the last swim of the day, before checking in at the hotel.

Gradient: 150 m

Duration: 6 hours

Length: 22.9 km

Day 5

Road to Finibus Terrae

A quick transfer service will take you to the starting point of the daily walk at Marina di Novaglie, with its coastal towers and caves accessible from the sea. From there you can easily take the “Sentiero delle Cipolliane”, famous caves along a breathtaking coastal itinerary overlooking the sea and you’ll arrive at the Ciolo inlet, a large bridge 40 meters above sea level that joins two high banks of the coast. Via a staircase you’ll reach the small beach, right under the bridge, where you can stop for a swim. From the Ciolo bridge you reach Gagliano del Capo via a route dotted with caves and cliffs. From Gagliano the road continues on local dirty roads and reaches the “Erma Antica”, where you can join the stone rite of ancient pilgrims. The path continues through inner dirty roads until you will arrive 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 day. Check-in at the hotel and free evening.

Gradient: 100 m

Duration: 4 hours

Length: 11.6 km

Day 6

Punta Pizzo and Gallipoli

A quick transfer will take you from Santa Maria di Leuca to Punta Pizzo to start your walk on the Ionian coast side, through the coastal park of Punta Pizzo you’ll reach Gallipoli. The track includes an urban trekking through the historic center of Gallipoli and touches the main points of the old town, you will end at the famous Purità beach. Check-in at the hotel and rest of the day to discover the old city.

Gradient: 50 m

Duration: 5.30 hours

Length: 18.19 km

Day 7

Porto Selvaggio Park

From Gallipoli there will be a short transfer to the Alto tower to explore the “Porto Selvaggio” park with its pine forests and includes free time for swimming. In the afternoon, transfer to Lecce, where after settling in your hotel in the historic center, there will be time to discover the city and have the last dinner together.

Gradient: 20 m

Duration: 3 hours

Length: 9 km

Day 8

Breakfast and end of services

This tour ends today after you breakfast.

It’s possible to book a transfer with us to your airport, a train station or your next destination, click on the WhatsApp button for a quote.

If you’re looking forward to discovering more towns, beaches or natural parks, ask us to extend your stay with PRE and POST tours around the same area or by adding a walking or cycling tours on different itineraries offered by WalkBasilicata and BikeBasilicata.

book this experience now!

Fill out the form on the right to request more information: we will reply as soon as possible.