High Gargano

Day 1 • Arrive in Manfredonia

Time to explore the town with its port and castle

HHH Hotel Panorama del Golfo

Day 2 • Manfredonia to Monte Sant’Angelo

Walk along the coast before ascending an ancient pilgrim path, once used by crusaders before they embarked for the Holy Land, to hilltop Monte Sant' Angelo, with its whitewashed houses and views across the bay of Manfredonia (9 3 miles, 5 hrs / bus 20 mins!)

HHHH Palace Hotel San Michele

Day 3 • Monte Sant’Angelo to Mattinata

Time to explore the town and visit the famous cave church, venerated as being the last place St Michael appeared on Earth in 491 AD, before setting off down a well-made pilgrim path to the small town of Mattinata (650ft), set in olive groves, close to the coast (9 2 miles, 5 hrs)

HHHH Residence Il Porto

Day 4 • Mattinata to Baia Fontana delle Rose

Follow paths along the coast and into hills overlooking the sea, before descending to the picturesque bay of Fontana delle Rose (7 3 miles, 3 5 hrs) Transfer (15 mins) back to Mattinata

HHHH Residence Il Porto

Day 5 • Baia Fontana delle Rose to San Salvatore

Brief transfer, then: Tracks lead up through limestone hills and a wooded valley to a high point (2,224ft), before continuing to the isolated Masseria Sgarrazza, situated on a ridge overlooking the sea (8 6 miles, 5 5 hrs)

Optional extra walk (3.5 miles, 2 hrs).

Masseria Sgarrazza agrit urism o

Day 6 • San Salvatore to Foresta Umbra

Walk through olive groves and meadows, gently climbing toward superb view of the coast Paths then lead into the heart of the Foresta Umbra, the best-preserved area of ancient woodland in Puglia, with an abundance of bird and orchid species Tracks through beech wood then bring you to the war m hospitality of Hotel Elda (12.4 miles, 6.5 hrs).

HHHH Hotel Elda

Day 7 • Foresta Umbra to Peschici

Follow forest tracks and meadows to an open ridge with extensive views of the coast and clustered 'white village' of Peschici in the distance Then continue down through olive groves and quiet lanes to your seaside hotel (13 2 miles, 7 hrs)

HHH Locanda al Castello

Day 8 • Departure day, or...

Optional extension to Vieste (additional cost): Follow small lanes across a series of coastal headlands, then paths across far mland and through ancient olive groves to long sandy beaches and Vieste (13 miles, 7 hrs).

Route open: April-June; Sept-Nov

Airports to first hotel:

Bari (66 miles)

Train/bus + taxi: 2.5-3 hrs - ~€60 Taxi: 1.5 hrs - ~€160

Pescara (135 miles)

+ taxi: 2 5 hrs - €70

2 hrs 20 - ~€270

Route Manager: ATG-trained, lives locally and speaks

Route Book: 125 pages – detailed walking directions, maps, comprehensive local and background information

Walking: Moderate to challenging (Grade 3 – 4) See p 8

Terrain: Limestone hills with coastal paths; quiet lanes; far m and woodland tracks; and pilgrim routes