From coastal cycling routes to cross-valley treks and hiking excursions deep in the forests and lush natural parks, Puglia offers hundreds of kilometers of wellbeing trails waiting to be discovered by JUDY COGAN & JOHN KLEIN
The natural beauty of Puglia’s landscape is as underrated as it is breathtaking. Where else will you find wild parks that bleed into beautiful countryside pockmarked by gently curving hills and small, whitewashed towns? While, not faraway, wide-open lakes lively with wildlife sit separated by sand dunes from 500-hundred miles worth of coastline. Known as the “stiletto heel” of Italy, this southern region of the country is already on the map as a popular culinary destination thanks to an abundance of fresh seafood and homegrown produce from olive oil to artichokes and Polignano’s famous purple carrots. Across the region, boutique cycling and hiking agencies are on a mission to share Puglia’s plethora of outdoor activities that includes everything from abandoned mineral sites, picturesque cycling routes, rock climbing, naturalistic trekking, and even early morning surfing excursions. Any of these activities are suitable for families, small groups and solo travelers. 30
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