Eastern Itinerary

This wonderful hiking trail will take you from Otranto to the Palascia Lighthouse, along paths immersed in a natural setting of unparalleled beauty, rich in ancient history, culture, and characteristic rural features. The route begins in Otranto, a marvelous ancient town, an ancient fortified city with the Aragonese Castle and imposing defensive walls, bastions, and 15th-century towers. Starting from the city gate, known as the "Porta a Mare," descend the steps that lead to the Piazza dell'Umanità Migrante, opposite Otranto's characteristic tourist port. The trail continues along Via del Porto, skirting the piers, reaching the cliffs on the coast and heading east to what appears to be the northern entrance to the Otranto-Leuca Natural Park, marked by metal posts and the start of the dirt trail. From here, the itinerary continues along the wonderful nature trails, heading southeast along the coast. Walking along this scenic coastal path, to the left you can see the mountains of Albania, clearly visible on days with a strong northerly wind. These are the Ceraunian Mountains, rising against the backdrop of the Adriatic Sea. On the right, perched on a small hill, you'll see the Torre del Serpe, a magnificent coastal tower that served as a lighthouse in Roman times and a watchtower in the 15th century. It was part of the communication and defense system the Aragonese had built along the coast, consisting of hundreds of coastal towers that served as radar to spot enemies of the Ottoman Empire attempting to conquer the region at the time. Walking along the path that leads up to the tower, if we look beneath our feet, we can see calcite crystals and bauxite nodules that characterize this type of rock and the entire coastal area of ​​Otranto. All around, vegetation is typical of low scrub, with elements of garrigue and substeppe. Near the tower, in particular, we can admire a beautiful example of garrigue with Shrubby Thyme (Coridothymus capitatus), one of the ancient "tumare" that brighten the sunny, arid July meadows with their blooms.

From this privileged vantage point, once we've enjoyed the view of Otranto and the entire coast of the Costa Otranto-Santa Maria di Leuca and Tricase Woods Regional Natural Park, we'll return to the path that runs along the coast in a state-owned area. A little further on, another coastal tower, now a farmhouse, Torre dell'Orte, is located. Here, the coastal path narrows and reaches the rocky coast, continuing along the high cliff that hides the imposing Grotta Palombara, now a nesting site for a colony of jackdaws. It's easy to see them circling the high rock faces that drop into the deep, cobalt-blue sea. The itinerary continues along the stunning Sentiero dell' Orte, which, from the eponymous farmhouse, offers a unique view of the magnificent Baia dell' Orte, with the Palascia Lighthouse looming in the distance. This is the easternmost point of Italy and a striking panorama that will also be the final destination and arrival point of the itinerary. We'll walk along the stunning paths of Baia delle Orte, reaching the tiny beach of Orte, where we can take a relaxing break. Here, the itinerary can continue southeast along the lower portion of the coast, or you can head westward toward the famous former ex Cava di Bauxite, which hides a stunning red lake within the artificial crater formed during bauxite extraction. After visiting the quarry with its distinctive red earth dunes, the itinerary continues along the Sentiero di Capo d'Otranto, which runs parallel to the coast along the upper portion, above the other coastal path that also leads from lower down toward the Palascia Lighthouse. Continuing along this scenic trail you cross a forest of Aleppo pines, which in many places has been affected by fires and therefore has a characteristic appearance. The route continues almost until it reaches provincial road 87, the coastal road of the Natural Park. Shortly before this point, however, it forks, offering the option of continuing either along the edge of the provincial road, along a very easy stretch that quickly reaches the Palascia Lighthouse from above; or by taking one of perhaps the most panoramic and breathtaking hiking trails in the entire Park: the Palascia Trail. This trail is marked EE (Expert Hiker) and is recommended only for experienced hikers. It descends the coast and continues over rock, narrowing in many sections, ascending and descending the coast. This trail, overlooking the sea, traverses the marvelous karst cliffs immersed in a panoramic setting. Along the trail, you will encounter several caves and ravines that open up in the rock faces, providing wonderful vantage points. The trail continues on mixed rock in a panoramic position on the cliff; in several exposed spots, great care and caution are required. Gradually, the splendid Palascia Lighthouse begins to come closer, and you can finally reach its lower portion directly from the coast.

Here we are at the Palascia Lighthouse, a splendid example of a coastal lighthouse, now home to various projects and events that bring it to life on various occasions. It can be visited upon request. After the obligatory photo and a mesmerizing view of the Strait of Otranto, at its closest point to Albania, the trail ascends from the lighthouse along an artificial gravel path with a wooden handrail carved specifically to reach the lighthouse. At the end of the trail, there is a wooden viewing platform with wooden benches where you can rest and enjoy the unique view of the park. From here, you can continue towards Otranto, following the coastal road on the right, and then continuing along the Capo d'Otranto trail that leads back to the former Bauxite Quarry. Alternatively, you can take the alternative route, continuing inland along the stretch of the ancient Via Traiano-Calabra that crosses the edge of the Serra and leads to the ruins of the ancient Casole Abbey. From here the itinerary continues towards Otranto along the Via Francigena, and this too takes us back to the former Bauxite Quarry, from where it is possible to return to Otranto directly by road or by continuing along the coastal path you came on.