Cilento and Vallo di Diano

MOUNTAINS, SEA AND HISTORY

Over the course of 9 days we explore the Cilento and the Vallo di Diano, an unspoilt geographical area found in the southern part of Italy’s Campania region that is often overshadowed by the Amalfi Coast, its world famous neighbour to the north. However, unlike the Amalfi Coast, the Cilento provides plenty of room to roam without the crowds and a real sense of what southern Italy was like before the advent of tourism. Much of the area is part of a very large National Park and classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Cilento is surprisingly wild and boasts a wide array of beautiful landscapes, including some of the highest mountains in Campania, a stunning stretch of coastline overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, a series of magnificent river valleys and the broad Vallo di Diano in its upper (eastern) reaches.

The Cilento and the Vallo di Diano is steeped in history, legend and myth. Although today it may seem very remote and not easily accessible, in the past it was a major route not only for trade, but also for cultural and political interaction during the prehistoric and medieval periods. It also acted as the boundary between the Greek colonies of Magna Graecia and the indigenous Etruscan and Lucanian peoples, and features in scenes from both the Odyssey and the Aeneid.

Over the course of the trip, we walk along ancient mountain and coastal paths through beautiful alpine meadows and pastures and amongst old growth beech forests and Mediterranean maquis; we climb to Campania’s highest peak and traverse mountain ridges with magnificent views of the sea, coastline and islands; we cross open coastal countryside to arrive at remote coves, caves and beaches; and we visit timeless villages, picturesque hamlets, religious sanctuaries and some outstanding historical monuments such as the former Greek colony of Paestum and the Carthusian Monastery of San Lorenzo. Throughout it all, we stay at just three lovely hotels and enjoy some of Italy’s best cuisine.

For a detailed itinerary and/or further information, please contact us at [email protected]

The fitness level for all trips is classified according to the average distance and elevation gain of the walks offered, with fitness levels ranging from 1-5, see here for more details.