I’ve often wondered what’s so special about walking for days in any weather when you can quickly zip from one place to the other by car or public transportation. So I gave it a tr y. While there’s no shortage of exciting paths to explore in Italy, I decided to walk the Via Peuceta , a relatively new trail that winds throug h Apulia and Basilicata . This 170km route goes from Bari to Matera in seven stages. This isn’t a relig ious pilgrimage but rather a complete immersion into the rich cultural and historical heritag e of this beautiful corner of southern Italy.
I was sold the minute I browsed the dedicated website illustrating the path’s everchang ing scener y. From olive groves and lush forest to steppe expanses and karst incisions, the landscape along the Via Peuceta is a visual rollercoaster – with the added bonus of extraordinar y culinar y traditions along the way. The network of referenti di tappa (the volunteers who take care of the stages of the path) was another reason I chose the Via Peuceta over other trails. Knowing I could call someone in case of difficulty was a good feeling , since I was already picturing myself lost in the woods hunting for food!
ARRIVING IN BARI
I arrived in Bari on a late September evening and explored it the following day. I highly recommend you do
