8-day hike in Salento along the coastal trail on Italy’s southeast coast

The Salento Coastal Trail, located at the southernmost tip of the “heel” of the Italian boot in Puglia, is one of Europe’s most authentic and undiscovered hiking destinations. Here, you won’t be walking along tourist trails, but rather along centuries-old pilgrimage routes, past cathedrals filled with Byzantine mosaics, and through wild coastal landscapes that few foreigners have yet discovered.

Through Nature Travel Lab, you can book this 8-day hiking trip with our local specialist, who will take care of every detail for you, including luggage transport, transfers, and personal guidance. See below for prices and to request a quote.

Highlights of the Salento Coastal Trail Hike

• Take a stroll through the beautiful Baroque city of Lecce.
• Take a walk past dolmens and menhirs, evidence of an ancient past
• Otranto and the Tree of Life
• The beautiful coastline from Otranto to Leuca
• The final stretch of the Via Francigena, the centuries-old path for pilgrims and crusaders.
• The Whiteness of Finibus Terrae (the End of the World), Santa Maria di Leuca

The Hiking Trip at a Glance

• Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
• Distance: approx. 83 km total
• Level: suitable for all levels
• Starting price: €690 per person, based on double occupancy

Why hike the Salento Coastal Trail? The ultimate slow travel experience

Salento in Puglia is Italy of quiet mornings, olive groves, and the salt on your lips after a day along the coast. And that is precisely what makes it so special for hikers seeking authenticity.

Hiking in Salento combines art, nature, and history all in one. You’ll walk along the same paths as pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem, pass by Byzantine churches tucked away in white alleyways, and end each day with a fresh pasta meal by the sea. The route from Lecce to Leuca is the ultimate answer to the question: what is Slow travel? The region is surprisingly quiet outside of peak season.

The route: from Lecce to Leuca in 8 days

The journey begins in Lecce, the “Florence of the Baroque,” and ends at the sanctuary of Santa Maria di Leuca—the literal Finibus Terrae, the end of the world. In between: 83 kilometers of coastal trail, white villages, Saracen towers, and a sea that turns turquoise with every shift in light.

Day 1: Lecce: The Baroque Opening Note

Your journey begins in Lecce, a city that will immediately captivate you. The stone takes on a soft yellow hue in the light of the setting sun, and the facades of the churches are lavishly adorned with angels, flowers, and mythical figures. Art historian Cesare Brandi rightly called Lecce the most beautiful Baroque city in Italy. Take some time to wander through the narrow streets before heading out onto the coastal trails tomorrow.

Day 2: Coastal walk to Otranto

19 km, +100 m, -100 m, or 16 km, +90 m, -90 m, starting from Sant’Andrea

After a transfer to Torre dell’Orso, you’ll begin your first full day of hiking. The Bay of Due Sorelle, the pine forest of Serra Alimini, the legendary Baia dei Turchi: this is Puglia as it has been for centuries. You’ll walk past the spot where Saracen ships docked in 1480, and end up in Otranto: Italy’s easternmost city, with a cathedral full of breathtaking Byzantine mosaics.

Day 3: From Otranto to Uggiano La Chiesa

14 km, +160 m, -90 m

Today you’ll explore the Tree of Life in Otranto Cathedral—one of Italy’s most important medieval mosaics. Afterward, you’ll stroll along the beautiful coastline that author Maria Corti described in her masterpiece. You’ll reach Punta Palascìa, the easternmost point of Italy, where, on a clear day with a northerly wind, the Albanian mountains are visible just 70 kilometers away.

Day 4: To Santa Cesarea Terme

15 km, +130 m, -180 m

Passing by the Neolithic Grotta dei Cervi near Porto Badisco, you’ll walk along the Via Appia Sallentina to the elegant town of Santa Cesarea Terme, with its thermal baths and the Moorish dome of Villa Sticchi—a setting that immediately feels cinematic. It’s no coincidence that director Carmelo Bene chose this as the location for his film *Nostra signora dei Turchi*.

Day 5: To Castro and the rocky cove (8–10 km)

8/10.5 km, +130/210 m, -130 m

A shorter day, but certainly no less impressive. Castro Alta is home to sensational archaeological finds: the remains of a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. And then the descent to a pristine rocky cove: one of the absolute highlights of this route.

Day 6: To Tricase

15 km, +180 m, -100 m

You’ll walk past the salty scent of wild herbs, choose between a challenging rocky trail or an easier alternative, and take a dip in Acquaviva Bay. The village of Andrano, with Spinola-Caracciolo Castle, and historic Tricase, with Palazzo Gallone, round out a fulfilling day.

Day 7: Final destination: Santa Maria di Leuca

11 km, +150 m, -40 m

The final day of hiking follows the impressive Cipolliane Trail along the cliffs; it’s comparable to the famous Path of the Gods on the Amalfi Coast. After passing through the Ciolo Gorge (a prime spot for birdwatching!), you’ll reach the Finibus Terrae sanctuary in Santa Maria di Leuca. For centuries, this is where the pilgrimage route ended. Now, this is also where your journey ends. And you’ll understand why people keep coming back here time and time again.

How do you get there?

Lecce is easy to reach by car, train, bus, and plane.

• By train: Trenitalia connects Italy’s major cities with the capital of Salento. You can find up-to-date information on train routes at viaggiatreno.
• By plane: The nearest airports are Bari and Brindisi, both of which offer connections to major Italian and international cities.
  Brindisi’s Salento Airport is located about 40 km from Lecce, and Bari-Palese Airport is about 160 km from Lecce. From Bari and Brindisi, there are several public transportation options to Lecce. For more information, visit the Aeroporti di Puglia website.
• By bus: Lecce is also accessible by bus. Some of the major bus companies are: Marinobus, Baltour & Flixbus, Busmiccolis, Sais Autolinee, and Buscenter.
• By car: The main highways are the A14 Bologna-Taranto and the A16 Naples-Canosa. It’s best to exit the highway at Bari, continue on to Brindisi, and then take the SS613 toward Lecce. Google Maps can help you with directions.

Back to Lecce
From Leuca, the last stop on the Salento walking tour, you can reach Lecce by train.
Gagliano is the nearest station, about a 10- to 15-minute taxi ride from Leuca. A train ticket is inexpensive (approx. €5–€6.50), but the travel time is quite long: about 2.5 hours with a transfer in Zollino or Nardò. (Note: there are fewer trains on Sundays).

If you prefer to travel in comfort, you can book a private transfer on your arrival and departure days.

How difficult is the route?

This walking vacation in Puglia is suitable for anyone with a basic level of fitness. The daily distances range from 8 to 15 kilometers, the terrain is mostly flat, and the daily walking time is between 2.5 and 4 hours. Pets are welcome. You’ll need comfortable hiking shoes, good sun protection, and a lightweight rain jacket.

Hiking the Salento Coastal Trail on the map