Pollino National Park and Maratea Coast Basilicata Italy Your walk will begin in the Pollino National Park. This massif is surrounded by valleys painted with streams running down them and rocky mountains that jealously preserve the best examples of the rare Loricato (Bosnian Pine). The last stop will bring you to the Tyrrhenian coast and the dominating panoramic views from Maratea. Uncontaminated nature, intense light and panoramas will leave you with enchanting memories of this exploration of Basilicata on foot. Walking Tour Meeting: Viggianello Airport:   Napoli Transfer: Trip Brochure (PDF)

Packages and Options

Click here for updated current rates.

 

Transfer and Other Charges:

Departures on Saturdays on request between May and end of October for guided and self guided tours

Day 1: Arrival
Independent arrival to the Pollino National Park (2 hours drive from the closest airport) and settled in at your farmhouse in Terranova del Pollino. Light walk around the village, dinner and overnight stay.

Day 2: Serra di Crispo
Excursion in the “heart” of the Pollino Park. You will follow a path through the forest along the abandoned “Rueping.” This is an Austrian railway line that was used, in the 19th century, to transport trains carrying tree trunks. After passing a little lake called “Lago Fondo” you will reach Pietra Castello (1750 m.) where you will see the first Loricato (Bosnian) Pines. From here you go up to the Grande Porta del Pollino (the Great Door) at 1958 m., to the Serra di Crispo summit (mt. 2056) known as the “Garden of Gods”. Back to the farmhouse, dinner and overnight stay.
Height difference: approx. 678 m / approx. 6.5 hours (12 km) / Difficulty: medium-high

Day 3: I Patriarchi del Pollino with guide
Today you will reach the peak of Monte Pollino, the second highest summit in the Park. You cross a beech tree area with a view of the rocky shore full of Bosnian Pines. Here it is possible to see Eagles and the Pilgrim Hawke. Transfer to your Hotel in Viggianello, dinner and overnight stay.
Height difference: approx. 771 m / approx. 6.5 hours (14 km) / Difficulty: medium-high

Day 4: The Tyrrhenian coast
Transfer to Maratea and get settled in at your Hotel. Self guided excursion to the San Biagio Mount and the Redeemer statue, with a breathtaking panorama of the cliffs and coves along the coast. You descend on foot into the countryside along a paved path to visit the historic center. Free time to enjoy the beautiful center of Maratea. Dinner and overnight stay (dinner included in the guided tour only).
Height difference: approx. 0 m / approx. 3 hours (7 km) / Difficulty: easy

Day 5: The Black Beach
Walking on the west side of San Biagio Mountain you will see the contrast between the green and blue of the sea, with a nice view from the Policastro gulf to the Cirella Island in Calabria. The route follows an old path linking different little churches and chapels among which is an important one called Madonna della Pietà. The final destinations of this route are the Maratea Caves and the famous “Spiaggia Nera” (the Black Beach) where the volcanic black sand fades into the dark blue of the sea. Dinner and overnight stay (dinner included in the guided tour only).
Height difference: approx. 0 m / approx. 3 hours  / Difficulty: easy

Day 6: Rest day or “Flying on Trecchina”
Today you can have a Rest, having a swim in the blue sea in one of the Maratea beaches, or walking starting from the nearby village of Trecchina. From the main square with the leaning tower of the church, continue along the street lined with Liberty-style houses, that brings you to the beautiful Forraina Chapel. From here you will follow the path that pilgrims, carrying the statue of the Virgin Mary to the Sanctuary, walk along every year. From the top you will see the Noce river valley, the Tyrrhenian Sea, Mount Sirino and Pollino. Back to the village on the same path. Return to Maratea. Overnight stay (farewell dinner included in the guided tour only).
Height difference: approx. 678 m / approx. 4 hours / Difficulty: easy

Day 7: Departure
Breakfast and end of services.

                                               Maratea area

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	51	53	57	64	71	80	85	86	77	69	61	53
Average Low Temperature (°F)	43	43	46	52	58	66	72	72	63	56	50	45
Average High Temperature (°C)	11	12	14	18	22	26	29	30	25	21	16	12
Average Low Temperature (°C)	6	6	8	11	14	19	22	22	17	13	10	7
Average Precipitation (days of rain)	8	7	6	6	3	1	0	2	3	6	8	9

Source: NOAA


Seasons
The weather is pleasant from spring to fall. It is usually cooler in Pollino National Park.

The climate of Maratea is somewhat mitigated by the sea and this turns out to be very pleasant, both in winter and in summer.
Although its territory varied with peaks very high altitudes (up to 1505 meters high), snowfalls are rare and limited to the tops of the mountains.
The climate varies slightly between the villages of the mountains and the sea, with a good level of humidity in the shaded areas, especially in the Old Town.

Clothes
You will need a hat: it protects you from 70% of sun rays that hit you on head and neck, better with a 10 cm brim, as to protect also ears, nose face and neck. It is particularly important for children to avoid
sunstroke.

Singlet, shirts, blouses, sweaters, wind cheater jackets (Gore-Tex), linen or cloth trousers, ideal for walking, shorts, cotton socks, bathing costume. For tours from January to April, and from October to
December, take warm clothes.

Finally you will need trekking shoes (with a good strength in ankle and antiskid sole as Vibram type), tennis or sandals for evening.

Accessories
Sunglasses, sunscreen, a big water-bottle (2 litres) with spout, Swiss knife (or similar), bag for packet lunch, personal toilet kit, hygienic paper, a trash bag for litter and for protecting your things inside the
knapsack. Sunglasses with good protection are extremely important and we suggest you to dress them often.

Personal Medicine
Take with you your usual medicines for pain (aspirin and anti-inflammatory), elastic adhesive bands (Elastoplast), adhesive plasters and disinfectant, protection for blisters.

Medical Visit
It is essential you are healthy before your trip, in order to enjoy it to the fullest! If some time has passed since you did not have seen your doctor, this is the right occasion to go, explaining the type of travel
you are going to do, the altitude, difficulty and climate, in order to leave in absolute tranquillity. You don’t need any vaccination. We advise you to check the validity of your tetanus injection in case it is expired

Watch: Video 1 / Video 2

Average ratings from 1 tour feedback (see details below) (5) Excellent (4) Very Good (3) Good (2) Satisfactory (1) Not Satisfactory Accommodations: Meals: Host/Guide: Name Date gregory ward 4/15/2011

Accommodations: 3* Hotel and farmhouses
Meals: Breakfast everyday and 3 dinners (6 dinners for guided tour)

Tack:		--
Horses:		--
Pace:		Easy to moderate - 2 to 7 hrs per dayon hilly and mountain terrain - approx 48km in covered during trip.
Level:		(2 to 2 out of 5)
Riders:		Min 2

Length: 6 days walking on hilly and mountain terrain
Stages: paths to walk in 2 – 7 hours during the day
Terrain: Panoramic, hills, medium mountain

Passports

Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:

(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.

Passport Note

(a) Italy is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement. (b) The regulations stated below also apply to San Marino and the Vatican City.



Visas

Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for the following durations:

(a) nationals of EU countries for an unlimited period;

(b) nationals of Australia, Canada and the USA for stays of up to 90 days.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements 

Passport Required?
British	Yes
Australian	Yes
Canadian	Yes
USA	Yes
Other EU	1
Visa Required?
British	No
Australian	No
Canadian	No
USA	No
Other EU	No
Return Ticket Required?
British	No
Australian	No
Canadian	No
USA	No
Other EU	No