The Via Micaelica: from Benevento to Monte Sant'Angelo

From Benevento to Buonalbergo

24km, +778m -370m

After a hearty breakfast, you will be ready for the first stage of the Via Micaelica. You will walk on the southern Apennines, the natural border between Campania and Puglia. Leaving Benevento behind you, you will come across the ancient town of Paduli, a pretty village now abandoned, which still preserves interesting monuments to visit, such as the pretty Mother Church of San Bartolomeo, characterized by the ancient entrance at the base of the bell tower.
Today's journey ends in Buonalbergo among rolling hills, where the strong sense of hospitality of its inhabitants has remained unchanged over time.
Here you could taste the tasty Picciulatiello or sweet bread, considered by some to be the oldest dessert of the Buonalberghese tradition, with a slow natural leavening.

From Celle di San Vito to Troia

18km, +301m -590m

Today you will explore a part of the Tavoliere delle Puglie, once a renowned wheat-producing area, now the setting for the unusual and characteristic town of Troia, which in the 12th century hosted four Councils and where the oldest document on the Via Francigena is kept. The elegant historic center is dominated by the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, an exceptional example of the fusion of styles and civilizations that have alternated in the region. 
At the end of the day, treat yourself to a well-deserved rest, perhaps sipping the legendary Nero di Troia, a red wine with a strong and lively flavor. For those who love sweets, the typical "Passionata" is a must-try: a delicious ricotta-based dessert covered with exquisite almond paste, not to be confused with the Sicilian cassata, try it!

From Lucera to San Severo

26 km, +89m -220m

After a pleasant awakening immersed in the vast Apulian countryside, you will resume your journey towards the Sanctuary of Monte Sant'Angelo.
After leaving the town perched on a hill from which the imposing Swabian-Angevin castle stands out, you will follow a path that through the woods will take you to the boundless expanse of the Tavoliere in the direction of San Severo, a destination for pilgrimages along the Via Micaelica for centuries.
Once you reach its characteristic historic center, you can admire the beauty of this ancient medieval village that boasts the title of city of art and that boasts of having been the first to obtain the DOC recognition in Puglia for its wines as demonstrated by the several cellars scattered throughout the area.
In the restaurants, the flavor of typical dishes will be enhanced by the oil of the local Peranzana cultivar, with a bitter and slightly spicy flavor.

From Santa Maria di Stignano to San Giovanni Rotondo

21 km, +900m -536m

Traveling along the panoramic reliefs of the Gargano area, among the ups and downs in the thick Mediterranean scrub that on the horizon offers a panoramic view of the splendid and sparkling Apulian sea of ​​the Gulf of Manfredonia, you will skirt the Monastery della Resurrezione from which you can glimpse the town of San Giovanni Rotondo.
A pleasant walk through the woods will lead you to the view of the imposing Sanctuary of San Pio da Pietrelcina built in 2004 that every year welcomes thousands of faithful from all over the world to pay homage to the remains of the saint exhibited in the crypt.
After the exciting passage from the places that marked the life of San Pio, let yourself be pampered by the unique flavors of the culinary tradition of the Gargano such as the typical paposcia, a delicious panfocaccia to garnish with cured meats, vegetables and other local products.

Arrivederci Monte Sant'Angelo!

After breakfast, end of services. The history of the town of Monte Sant'Angelo revolves around the figure of San Michele, venerated already in the Byzantine era, but it was with the Lombards that the devotion to the Archangel intensified and spread throughout Europe. The cult has its peak at the end of September, when on the occasion of the patronal feast, the three apparitions of the Archangel on Gargano are staged in the streets of the historic center.

Tour programme variations
Due to organizational reasons, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during the holiday.
Along the way you may find temporary deviations (for example road works) which cannot be foreseen; in this case each walker can decide autonomously how to deal with these stretches.