Hilltop Villages, Shepherds’ Paths, and Turquoise Seas
Hiking Puglia & Matera
Overview
With heirloom olive orchards stretching to the horizon, whitewashed coastal towns gleaming in the sun, and the azure hues shimmering in the Adriatic and Ionian seas, Puglia, the “heel” of Italy, is a magical place. Our hikes bring us across traditional tratturi (shepherds’ trails) and along coastal paths where the sea and the sky seem to meet. Along the way, we’ll visit hill towns and ancient ports. Our final treat is an unforgettable three-night stay in a historic hotel in the stunning World Heritage Site of Matera. As always, we’ll eat locally and well—tasting olives in the Valle d’Itria, sampling Primitivo wines in Manduria, and savoring the bounty of the sea.
Arrive: Bari, Italy
Depart: Bari, Italy
Highlights
- Visit the breathtaking World Heritage Site of Matera, with its honeycomb of cave houses and stone-carved churches
- Stroll the Rione Monti (trulli district) of Alberobello past whitewashed trulli houses set among olive groves
- Explore Lecce, with its Roman theater and Baroque palazzi, walk the lanes of the striking “white city” of Ostuni
- Hike through ancient olive orchards and across shepherds’ paths
- Enjoy Puglia’s tasty seafood and the best Primitivo wines
Itinerary
We head across the vineyards of the Valle d’Itria, famous for its conical-roofed trulli houses, and visit Locorotondo, one of the official borghi più belli d’Italia (most beautiful villages in Italy). A walk on the Apulian Aqueduct brings us to Alberobello, a World Heritage Site with a maze of trulli-lined lanes. After exploring stunning Ostuni, with its tumble of alabaster buildings, we’ll taste olive oils at a farmstead, enjoy a picnic on the beach, and explore the opulent Baroque town of Lecce, with architectural surprises at every turn.
From Otranto, first a Greek port then a Roman one, our hikes contour along sea cliffs to Porto Badisco and past the Punta Palascia lighthouse to lovely Santa Maria di Leuca, where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet. A boat ride brings us to ancient cave sanctuaries.
In the wine town of Manduria, we’ll taste Primitivo di Manduria vintages. Our grand finale is ancient Matera, where Benedictine monks carved elaborate churches and monasteries deep into the walls of a steep canyon. With its honeycomb of troglodyte dwellings, Matera is truly breathtaking. We’ll set out on canyon walks, exploring picturesque alleys and a warren of sassi dwellings. Depart on Day 10 via Bari.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 3, Moderate, according to our trip grading system. We enjoy day walks and hikes of 2 to 3 hours over variable terrain, including gently rolling countryside, rocky coastal trails, and steep canyons.
Average Hiking Day
- 3-4 miles
- 2-3 hours
- 400' ascent/descent
Challenge Day
- Day 4: 6 miles, 3.5 hours, 450' ascent/descent
You need to be able to hike on uneven surfaces, occasionally downhill over loose rocks, so good balance is important. The hikes explore a mix of terrain, from dirt roads to paths across rolling hills to ancient stone staircases, which can be quite steep. The trip is designed for those who have at least some hiking experience. Please note that the hiking can feel more demanding at times because the weather can occasionally be hot, even in fall when we make our journey. Sturdy, well broken-in hiking boots are best for some of the rural trails, though walking shoes may be suitable for some days.
For maximum enjoyment of the trip (and the wonderful scenery, food, and wine that are a part of it), we recommend you make a special effort to be in good physical condition. Daily brisk walking and/or regular hiking (or using a stair-climbing machine at your gym) are excellent preparatory exercises.
Puglia has a warm, sunny Mediterranean climate. Temperatures are likely to be the 70s and 80s during the day and the 60s at night. Cooling breezes and showers can occur at any time, especially in fall. The weather can range from blue skies to cloudy, mist-shrouded days on which we need to keep rain gear handy in our daypacks. The sea regulates the climate in coastal southern Italy.
Our hotels are chosen for their local history and central location. Although rooms in European hotels are not always of uniform or international size, our leaders try their best to assign rooms in a fair way so that all participants experience an equal advantage throughout the trip as a whole.
Please note that in Europe, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the US. We do our best to secure early reservations for our groups, but most often the evening meal will be at 7:30 pm.
Luggage is transported for us by van, so it is always possible to ride in the van if you wish to opt out of a day's hiking. We will carry just a daypack with water bottle, sunscreen, camera, and anything else you want with you while on the trail.
Client Testimonials
"The trip was amazing. We loved every minute of it: lots of culture, hiking (of course,) and wine and food."
Candy H.
Sacramento, CA
"This is a superbly designed and executed trip with beautifully curated cultural and historical highlights, gorgeous hikes, and amazing food. Our leaders, local guides, and driver excellently navigated our group through the beauty and historical significance of Puglia I highly recommend this trip and these guides to anyone interested in a less traveled area of beautiful Italy."
Diana R.
San Francisco, CA
"Amazing from beginning to end. Our expectations were high and yet the trip still exceeded them. The amazing nature, culture, and history were perfectly complemented by the food, wine, and guides."
Eric O.
Tampa, FL
"Your Puglia trip is just wonderful. We loved the itinerary, the culture, and all that entails, and the local guides were fabulous."
Gail S.
Fairfax, CA
"This was a fantastic introduction to Puglia. The hiking was lovely and we really appreciated the local guides explaining the history of the area. The food was over the top. Every meal was beautifully prepared and delicious. "
Judith J.
Boulder, CO
"Just awesome! Such great culture, history, hiking, and food! Just enough free time. Well paced. I love WT trips!"
Karen B.
Rockville, MD
"Fantastic trip in a interesting area. We loved the food and wine. Our trip leader, JoAnn, made us all feel extremely welcome. We immediately felt comfortable with her."
Nathaniel B.
Bedford, MA
"A fabulous mix of sightseeing, hiking, eating, and drinking. Every hike was different, with varying terrain and scenery. Each town we visited was different from the last. The highlight of the trip was Matera which was truly magical and one-of-a-kind."
New York, NY
Lee R.
"Great fun. They don't call it "Eatily" for nothing! Lovely hikes."
Pamela R.
Davis, CA
"This trip far exceeded our expectations. The itinerary was superb and the guides were terrific. The balance among hiking, city tours, and wonderful meals was perfect. The two days in Matera were magical."
Philip S.
Arlington, VA
"Every detail of our trip was handled with exactness, ease and comfort. The variety of hikes, lunch stops, restaurants chosen, educational opportunities about the local businesses (olive tree orchards, vineyards, wheat production, etc.) added so much to the trip. From a hiking standpoint it offered a glimpse into the culture and beauty of a part of Italy that has not had the attention of travelers that Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast, or other northern parts of Italy have had for decades."
Skip M.
Lafayette, CA
"A fabulous experience in a totally different region of Italy. So much history, local charm, and few Americans/tourists for our trip. It seemed we got to experience Puglia at its best--local culture, customs, products, and welcoming environment."
Susie C.
Columbia, SC
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Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult.