Sant'Emiliano Itinerary

This hiking itinerary will take us from Porto Badisco to the Palascia Lighthouse and back along a circular route that will allow us to explore one of the most evocative places in the entire Otranto-Santa Maria di Leuca Coast and Tricase Forest Regional Natural Park: Porto Badisco, Sant'Emiliano, and the Valle dei Cervi, along with the Palascia Lighthouse and the far southeastern coast. The route starts in Porto Badisco, from Piazzetta Consiglio, in front of Bar da Carlo, and continues towards the small beach of Porto Badisco, descending the paved road that serves the bay of Porto Badisco. From here, we head north along the Sentiero di Sant'Emiliano, from the small beach, where there is a natural karst freshwater spring, we walk along the northern edge of the inlet, continuing along the path over rocks and cliffs, crossing a small concrete bridge that crosses an artificial canal carved into the natural rock. Here you can glimpse the entrances to two caves called the Cunicoli dei Diavoli, caverns that connect to the infinite network of natural underground caves and corridors that intertwine and form the large complex that joins the marvelous Grotte dei Cervi.

These famous caves, whose entrances are not far from the trail, are considered the "Sistine Chapel" of the Neolithic, given the countless cave paintings on the rock walls. They depict hunting scenes and scenes from the daily life of Neolithic man, who lived in Salento between 10,000 and 6,000 years ago. The trail continues over rocks and cliffs, crossing a unique stretch of coast known as the fossil coral reef. This reef is characterized by rocks composed of fossil rhodoliths that have formed fossilized algal nodules with distinctive rounded shapes, a pattern clearly visible along this stretch of the trail. The itinerary continues along the coast in a northerly direction, along the Sant'Emiliano path. Here on the coast, large rocks and enormous boulders deposited on the coast by an ancient tsunami are clearly visible. Continuing along the path on a dirt road mixed with rock, you reach the base of the Sant'Emiliano cliff, on top of which stands the austere Torre Sant'Emiliano.

Before continuing along the trail that traverses the rocky ridge to the summit, you can turn right for a small, unscheduled hike suitable for experienced hikers, towards the sea to see the famous Marmitta dei Giganti (Giants' Cauldron). The name of this particular karst formation evokes that of an object, "a large pan" used to prepare soldiers' rations. Inside this fairly regular cavity or "basin," lies a rounded rock (in December 2022, the Marmitta dei Giganti was irreparably vandalized).

Retracing our steps, we reach the tower and the edge of the cliff, from which we enjoy a wide panorama of the entire Valle dei Cervi and the Park's coast.

From here, we continue north along the coast, descending the northern portion of the cliff, and continue along the path that leads to the Grotta del Pastore (Shepherd's Cave) and the wonderful little island of Sant'Emiliano. From here, continue north, climbing the coast until you reach the Strada Provinciale 87 Litoranea. Continue along the edge of the coastal road above the rocky cliff, reaching the Palascia Lighthouse, following the wide gravel path with a handrail that descends from the coastal road to the lighthouse. After visiting the splendid lighthouse, climb the path that serves it back up to the coastal road. Here, continue for another short stretch along the left edge of the road, and shortly after, take the local road on the left towards Masseria le Creste. From this point, continue southeast, intersecting with the Via Francigena, on a wonderful stretch that continues along ancient sheep tracks to the historic Masseria Cippano.

From the farmhouse, continue along the sheep tracks and descend eastwards towards the coast. Here, cross the coastal road and continue along the path that takes us back towards the Torre Sant'Emiliano, rejoining at the base of the cliff with the Sentiero di Sant'Emiliano, which we then follow in reverse along the coastal stretch and which will lead us to the starting point in the splendid bay of Porto Badisco.