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Gargano Peninsula – Independent

Otherwise known as the ‘spur of Italy’, the Gargano Peninsula has been traversed by pilgrims since the 5th century, making their way to the celebrated Sanctuary of Saint Michael the Archangel. In more recent times, botanists flock here in spring to see the profusion of wildflowers including a wide variety of rare orchids, including endemics that draw orchid enthusiasts from all over the world, while in summer, Italian holidaymakers take time out to enjoy the stunning coastline.

Apart from this, the Gargano National Park remains remarkably undiscovered abroad, and therein lies much of its charm. Walk a wild landscape of woodland, scented scrub, limestone pavement and abandoned farmland, home to a fascinating range of flora and birdlife. Coastal paths dip down to meet the shoreline, allowing you to explore the secret coves, caves and sandy beaches as well as take a well-earned swim in the sea.

Duration: 8 or 9 days

Price: from £1,540 per person
Route Open: April, May, June, September, October, November
Trip Type: Independent
Country: Italy
Airport: Bari, Naples, Pescara
Grade: Moderate Walking
Walk Length: 7 / 12.1 miles

Itinerary

Arrive in Manfredonia

Time to explore Manfredonia with its port and castle. Stay in a welcoming 3* hotel.

The castle at Manfredonia Walking Tour Puglia Italy
The castle at Manfredonia
About Manfredonia

This modern fishing town has an attractive old nucleus. It is not overly touristy, offering a genuine insight into day-to-day life here. Explore the castle and archaeological museum, take a stroll around the marina, walk along the seafront to the ruins of Siponto (the original port) or relax on the sands at Siponto Lido.

Hotel Panorama del Golfo 3 star Manfredonia Walking Tour Italy
Manfredonia
Hotel Panorama del Golfo

Welcoming, family-run hotel

Breakfast
Dinner

Walk through the town then across a small plain before ascending an ancient pilgrim route, once used by crusaders before they embarked for the Holy Land. The route, now a grassy ravine with ruined monasteries on either side, leads to the ancient town of Monte Sant’Angelo (2,755ft / 840m), with its whitewashed houses, steep narrow alleys and stairways, and views across the bay of Manfredonia and coast to the south (9.3 miles, 5 hours – or bus 20 mins!). Well-appointed 4* hotel with pool and spa.

View of Manfredonia bay walking tour Puglia Italy
View of Manfredonia bay
About Monte Sant’ Angelo

Kings, emperors and empresses, nobles and saints are among the many pilgrims that have made their way over the centuries to Monte Sant’Angelo. It is famed as the site of a fourfold appearance of the Archangel Saint Michael towards the end of the 5th century, making it one of the earliest shrines in Europe. Visit the sanctuary and various churches that surround the site. Above the town is a massive, ruined castle begun by the Normans.

Palace Hotel San Michele 4 star Monte Sant Angelo Walking Tour Italy
Monte Sant'Angelo
Palace Hotel San Michele

Spectacularly positioned, well appointed hotel with large pool spa

Breakfast

Time to explore the town and visit the famous cave church (venerated as being the place that St Michael appeared on earth in 491 AD) before descending a well-made pilgrim path to the small town of Mattinata (650ft), set in olive groves close to the coast (9.2 miles, 5 hours). 4* hotel with sea views.

The walk to Monte Sant Angelo walking tour Puglia Italy
The walk to Monte Sant Angelo (photo: E Hacking)
About Mattinata

Set over hills within the Gargano National Park, Mattinata occupies a picturesque spot, overlooking the blue Adriatic and a patchwork of olive groves. In Spring, wild orchids fill the surrounding countryside while in summer the protected bay and nearby beaches offer swimming opportunities. Peruse the shops for artisan items, such as prickly pear jam and local olive oil, or uncover local history at Monte Saraceno, a necropolis with over 500 tombs.

Hotel Residence Il Porto 4 star Mattinata Walking Tour Italy
Mattinata
Hotel Residence Il Porto

In lovely setting, with sweeping sea views

Breakfast
Dinner

Follow paths along the coast and into hills overlooking the sea, before descending to the picturesque bay of Fontana delle Rose (6.1 miles, 3.5 hours). Transfer (15 mins) back to Mattinata.

Walkers on Mattinatella beach Escorted walking tour Puglia Italy
Walkers on Mattinatella beach
About Baia Fontana delle Rose

A day trip from Mattinata, this bay features rocky white cliffs, pine trees, pristine sands and clear waters, making this an absolutely idyllic spot to unwind. Enjoy the sea views from the pebble beach where you can relax and swim at the end of the walk before your lift back to Mattinata.

Hotel Residence Il Porto 4 star Mattinata Walking Tour Italy
Mattinata
Hotel Residence Il Porto

In lovely setting, with sweeping sea views

Breakfast
Dinner

After a brief transfer to the start of the walk, tracks lead up through limestone hills and aromatic scrub to a viewpoint (1,115ft) before continuing to the region of San Salvatore and your remote farm stay, beautifully situated on a ridge overlooking the Gargano coast (7.8 miles, 5.5 hours). Optional 3.5-mile circular walk to a necropolis and natural well.

Cheese from Masseria Sgarrazza walking tour Puglia Italy
Cheese from Masseria Sgarrazza
About San Salvatore

This region has a strong rural history, evidenced in the magnificent ancient terracing in the rocky hillsides and distinctive beehive-shaped stone shelters. Stay here on a working farm that uses traditional organic farming methods. Short walks out into the surrounding countryside take you past a natural stone well and an ancient necropolis.

Agriturismo Masseria Sgarrazza San Salvatore Walking Tour Italy
San Salvatore
Masseria Sgarrazza

Agriturismo: working farm with panoramic views

Breakfast
Dinner

Paths lead along a ridge with fine open views, before descending to a long sandy beach and Vieste (7.7 miles, 4 hours). Conveniently located 4* hotel with pool.

View of Vieste walking tour Puglia Italy
View of Vieste
About Vieste

This beautiful village of narrow streets and white-washed houses sits above a coastline peppered with geological wonders. The chalk-like white limestone has been carved out by wind and water to create fascinating caves and archways. Take a boat trip to explore the cliffs or simply relax at the end of your walk on the beautiful beaches and unspoilt bays.

Hotel Falcone 4 star Vieste Walking Tour Italy
Vieste
Hotel Falcone

Very convenient to both the beach and old town, with pool

Breakfast

Spend time in Vieste or, alternatively, take an optional walk to Peschici (see below), an historic cliff-top town of white-washed houses and secret alleyways perched above a sandy bay. Return to Vieste by bus.

Peschici street view walking tour Puglia Italy
Peschici street view
Hotel Falcone 4 star Vieste Walking Tour Italy
Vieste
Hotel Falcone

Very convenient to both the beach and old town, with pool

Breakfast

Follow paths through ancient olive groves and farmland and then small lanes across a series of coastal headlands to whitewashed village of Peschici, perched on a buttress of rock (13.3 miles, 7 hours)

 

View of Peschici walking tour Puglia Italy
View of Peschici
About Peschici

Perched on top of a cliff above the Adriatic Sea, Peschici is a labyrinth of stepped alleyways and hidden piazzas. Explore the castle, defensive walls and towers that once protected this picturesque town from pirate attacks.

The Stunning B&B 3 star Peschici Walking Tour Italy
Peschici
The Stunning B&B

Friendly B+B with wonderful views, excellent location

Breakfast

Trip Planner

Walking & Terrain

Walking: Moderate. The length of each day varies from 3.5 to 5 hours walking, allowing
time for swimming etc. Hours of walking, which may vary from individual to individual, means hours of actual walking and does not include stops for lunch, sightseeing – or swimming!

Terrain: Includes farm and forest tracks through woods, scrub and olive groves; meadows and beaches; and quiet surfaced lanes. Some of the walking is limestone terrain, occasionally rocky, for which walking boots with a firm sole and ankle support are recommended. There are also a few sharp descents and ascents. The use of trekking poles is highly recommended on this trip.

There is moderate climbing throughout, and on Day 2 you undertake the strenuous ascent of Mont Sant’Angelo (2,755ft), climbing approximately 800m from sea level to the highest town on the peninsula.

All ATG trips include facilities and options so that you can arrange to walk as much or as little as you like – or not at all - and your Route Manager will be able to advise you on public transport or taxi options.

Gargano Peninsula terrain profile

Walking & Terrain

Walking: Moderate. The length of each day varies from 3.5 to 5 hours walking, allowing
time for swimming etc. Hours of walking, which may vary from individual to individual, means hours of actual walking and does not include stops for lunch, sightseeing – or swimming!

Terrain: Includes farm and forest tracks through woods, scrub and olive groves; meadows and beaches; and quiet surfaced lanes. Some of the walking is limestone terrain, occasionally rocky, for which walking boots with a firm sole and ankle support are recommended. There are also a few sharp descents and ascents. The use of trekking poles is highly recommended on this trip.

There is moderate climbing throughout, and on Day 2 you undertake the strenuous ascent of Mont Sant’Angelo (2,755ft), climbing approximately 800m from sea level to the highest town on the peninsula.

All ATG trips include facilities and options so that you can arrange to walk as much or as little as you like – or not at all - and your Route Manager will be able to advise you on public transport or taxi options.

Gargano Peninsula terrain profile

Additional activities available locally

This is a wonderful area offering additional local experiences - these can be booked to fit in with the itinerary, or you may wish to customise your trip to have an extra leisurely day or two to enjoy.

Additional activities are paid for locally and can be booked via your Route Manager who will contact you 2 weeks prior to departure.

Kayak tour (in lieu of taxi transfer at end of the walk on the free day in Mattinata). Costs 20€/person self guided or 150€+€ 20€/person for a guided tour

Marine caves boat trip on the free day in Vieste (or from Peschici from June to September), costs 25€/person or from 200€/person for a private boat

Your Personal ATG Route Manager

I was born and raised in Puglia. I have studied and worked in other parts of Italy and abroad, but nostalgia has always brought me back to my beloved Gargano Peninsula. You will be amazed at the variety of landscapes on this route, not to mention the wild orchids in the springtime (81 different species have been recorded here!) A visit to the Unesco-listed Sanctuary of Saint Michael is a must, where you can witness 1,500 years of history!

"Matteo was excellent. Very responsive and knowledgeable. He was the biggest factor to our enjoyment of the holiday. We learned so much from him!"

"Matteo made the trip even better than it was. His knowledge of and passion for the area and his suggested slight alterations to the routes were excellent!"

"The Route Manager was exceptional and was the key aspect of the holiday which moved the value for money from good to excellent."

Matteo Prencipe Route Manager Italy

Route Book

The ATG Route Book is a detailed, day-to-day guide. The book anticipates your needs with easy-to-follow instructions, maps, plans and other information that will guide you to discover the best that the area has to offer and is the key to the success of an independent holiday with us.

“The route book’s background information and recommendations are invaluable and contribute materially to the enjoyment of the holiday.”

Walking App

Your Route Manager can provide you with a link to download an app to your smartphone. This app provides the GPS track for your route on your phone. You can use this digital support to find your position and navigate the route, even without an internet connection or mobile phone reception.

Gargano Peninsula Route Book

Accommodation & Meals

You can expect each hotel to be one of the most characteristic, comfortable and best located for travellers on foot, with the character and sometimes the standard varying from place to place. In more remote areas hotels may be of a generally lower standard in relation to their ‘star ratings’.

Single travellers are accommodated in double rooms for single occupancy for a supplemental charge.

Breakfast is included and there are suggestions in the Route Book about where to buy provisions for a picnic lunch, as well as restaurant recommendations. Dining options often include a choice of restaurants that can be pre-booked for you by your Route Manager.

Hotel Residence Il Porto 4 star Mattinata Walking Tour Italy

Food & Wine

This region is traditionally poor and the humble (yet delicious) cuisine reflects this. There is pasta galore of every shape and size while the coast is a wonderful source of fresh seafood, from cuttlefish to calamari and clams – see the trabucchi, enormous wooden structures that were once used to catch fish, which line the coast from Vieste to Peschici. Wine in Puglia is free flowing – it produces one fifth of the country’s wine – but in recent years there has been a focus on quality over quantity. The region now has over 20 DOCs to its name. The Route Book contains a section on the cuisine and wines of the region, and a list of recommended restaurants en route.  The Route Manager will be pleased to help you with any queries, requests or advice.

Flora & Fauna

The Gargano National Park covers a wide array of habitats, from the woodlands of the Umbra Forest to the limestone cliffs of the coast. Deer, wild boar, porcupines and pine martens roam the woods while birds of prey including kestrels, peregrine falcons and snake eagles have all been spotted in the area. The Gargano is particularly famous for its orchids. There are 81 different types growing here, including endemic species that were first found here and which may not be found anywhere else. Our Route Book provides further detail while apps such as ‘LeafSnap’, ‘Flora Incognita’, ‘ChirpOMatic’ and child-friendly ‘Seek by iNaturalist’ can identify the flora and fauna en route.

Travel Arrangements

Travel arrangements, including flights, for ATG Independent Footloose trips should be made independently.

Outward travel to Manfredonia: Whichever airport you fly into, if travelling by public transport you will need to take a bus or train to Foggia and from there take a bus to Manfredonia.

Return travel from Vieste: Similarly on the return, you will need to get from Vieste to Foggia by bus or taxi, and from there take a bus or train to Bari, Pescara or Naples central stations for onward shuttle services to your chosen airport.

Train Italy

Trip Options & Prices

8 Day Itinerary - Our original weeklong itinerary from Manfredonia to Vieste

Overview

This 8 day independent walking tour in Puglia starts in Manfredonia and includes 5 days walking along the coast and up into the Gargano National Park with additional walking in Vieste or, if you prefer, a boat trip to explore the coastline or just time to relax. Discover nature, excellent walking and lots of swimming opportunities on this weeklong trip to southern Italy.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Manfredonia
Day 2: Manfredonia to Monte Sant’Angelo
Day 3: Monte Sant’Angelo to Mattinata
Day 4: Mattinata to Baia Fontana delle Rose
Day 5: Baia Fontana delle Rose to San Salvatore
Day 6: San Salvatore to Vieste
Day 7: Vieste - free day
Day 8: Departure

Prices (per person)

£1540 Double room (per person)
£1540 Twin room (per person)
£1980 Single occupancy
All single occupancy rooms are doubles

Overview

This 9 day independent walking tour in Puglia includes everything on the 8 day itinerary plus a scenic walk continuing further round the coast to the pretty, white-washed village of Peschici. Enjoy a longer trip to southern Italy with delightful walking and views along the Gargano coastline.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Manfredonia
Day 2: Manfredonia to Monte Sant’Angelo
Day 3: Monte Sant’Angelo to Mattinata
Day 4: Mattinata to Baia Fontana delle Rose
Day 5: Baia Fontana delle Rose to San Salvatore
Day 6: San Salvatore to Vieste
Day 7: Vieste - free day
Day 8: Vieste to Peschici
Day 9: Departure

Prices (per person)

£1680 Double room (per person)
£1680 Twin room (per person)
£2200 Single occupancy
All single occupancy rooms are doubles

Our Independent Footloose itineraries have the flexibility to be customised if you would like to spend more time in any of the places en route; perhaps to incorporate some of the add-ons available locally or just to create a more relaxed pace to your holiday.

If you wish to build your own itinerary please complete our customise form and our Sales team will provide you with a bespoke quote.

Frequently Asked Questions

On each route there is an ATG Route Manager, who is there to take care of all the practicalities and ensure the success of your trip. Route Managers have all been ATG-trained, speak English and the language of the country fluently, and live in the local area. Your Route Manager will make contact with you a couple of weeks prior to departure (usually by email) and will then meet you at the start of your trip and will be available during your trip to move your luggage from hotel to hotel, provide local information, make restaurant reservations and do everything possible to ensure that you derive maximum enjoyment from your holiday.

Please let us know about any dietary restrictions or allergies in advance so that our Route Manager can ensure that you are catered for during your holiday. Most dietary restrictions do not present a problem on our trips and the Route Manager can discuss your requirements in more detail with you at the start of your trip.

The walks are graded according to difficulty but you can walk as much or as little as you like.

Easy: walking along well-established paths and tracks with some short ascents/descents. These trips are suitable for most people who enjoy occasional exercise.

Easy to Moderate: walking along well-established paths and tracks. Occasional loose (gravel) surfaces. Ascents/descents up to 1 hour.  These trips are suitable for most people who have a reasonable level of fitness.

Moderate: walking along a variety of paths and tracks. Occasional uneven areas. Ascents/descents 1-2 hours. These trips are suitable for those who have a reasonable to good level of fitness.

Moderate to Challenging: walking along varied paths and surfaces, occasionally challenging, with ascents/descents of 2-3 hours.  These trips are suitable for more experienced walkers who have a good level of fitness.

If you are planning to take an Independent trip as a single traveller, we would ask you to consider the potential dangers of walking alone before making a booking and if necessary discuss this with our Sales team. 

Single travellers will be booked into a double room which will carry a single occupancy supplement.

Flights are not included in the price of your ATG holiday and should be booked independently.  

The trips in our Independent programme make ideal family holidays for those with children who are old enough (and keen enough!) to enjoy a walking holiday or young enough to be carried in a backpack.

You would need to consider costs for lunches (either a picnic style lunch or lunch in a café as you prefer) and evening meals. Where an evening meal is included at a hotel this is indicated on the trip page. For evening meals not included, the route book provides restaurant recommendations to suit a wide range of budgets. You would also need to factor in any entrance fees to museums, churches, galleries and other sightseeing costs, items of a personal nature, shopping expenditure and transport if you choose to not to walk on some days.

Tourist Tax

This tax is charged per guest per night and the rate is determined by the local council based on the star rating of the accommodation. The rate usually varies from €2 up to €5 per person per night, although the rate can be higher in major cities. This tax is not included in the price of your holiday but where applicable will be payable direct to your hotel in cash.

We are delighted to book extensions for you at either end of your trip. We only book hotels with which we have an established relationship and where we can ensure a high level of service and enjoyment. If you would like an extension hotel booking please indicate this during the booking process and we will contact you with pricing information.

ATG does not provide any form of insurance cover. However, it is a condition of booking that you have fully comprehensive insurance cover, including:

Cancellation/curtailment up to the cost of the holiday (preferably including flights)
Medical emergencies and repatriation
Travel delay / missed departure
Lost or stolen personal belongings
Personal liability
Legal expenses
Natural Disasters

Although most credit card companies offer travel insurance as something that is included when paying the balance with the card, it may be advisable to check that the cover offered is what you expect it to be. Very few companies include cancellation and curtailment or medical expenses. Whatever the insurance policy you have taken out, please read the documentation carefully. Please ensure also that you take it with you on your trip and refer to it in the case of any claim or emergency.

Yes, please click here for what to bring. A packing checklist is also included with your booking confirmation.

Sustainability

ATG was founded on principles of conservation and sustainable development. It was the first company to win the tourism industry’s two top awards: Tourism for Tomorrow (UK) and the World Legacy Award (National Geographic and Conservation International USA) and also the first to have an accredited Environmental Management System.

Everyone who walks with ATG contributes to the ATG Trust, which funds projects that benefit local communities in the regions visited. By supporting these initiatives, ATG promotes sustainable tourism. Past projects have included heritage restoration projects, environmental conservation and educational projects.

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