Trekking in Cilento: Cammino di San Nilo
CampaniaDifficulty path:Highlights
This will be an excellent opportunity to retrace those ancient paths through which Italian-Greek monks left important historical and artistic evidence.
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The enchanting Capelli di Venere waterfalls
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Oasi Wwf Grotte del Bussento: a natural casket
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The Abbey of Santa Cecilia and its mystical atmosphere
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A trek up to the beautiful sea of Palinuro
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Between history and traditions: the Cilento National Park
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Ancient flavours: Casaletto bread and the queen's white beans
Program
Sapri
Welcome to Sapri: a crossroads of peoples, cultures and traditions.
Behind you is the Gulf of Policastro, which, with its hills rich in luxuriant nature, generously offers a unique panorama to the inlets that embrace it. In front of you, on the other hand, is the Cammino di San Nilo. Get your boots ready! and set off on a wonderful adventure in the Cilento National Park.
From Oasi di Venere to Morigerati
11 km, +520m, -620m
After a tasty breakfast based on local products, you are ready to start this incredible trekking. A private transfer takes you to the enchanting Capelli di Venere (Venus's Hair) waterfalls, named after a particular type of fern that grows flourishing here: a treasure chest of peace and nature in which the waters of the Rio Bussentino flow.
The first stage is one of the most spectacular on the route. Crossing suggestive views, you pass the ancient village of Casaletto Spartano, where you can savour one of the local specialities such as homemade bread, accompanied by goat cheese and the local ham. In this ancient village, families still breed a particular species of pig that feeds mainly on acorns, as tradition teaches.
Before reaching Morigerati, known for the WWF Grotte del Bussento Oasis which houses a spectacular karst phenomenon, you will pass through the pretty village of Tortorella and its fantastic Farneto Forest for a relaxing walk among holm oaks, turkey oaks and the blanket of dry leaves.
You are finally in the heart of the Cilento Park: here you can breathe the history of this land of which the local artisans and farmers are the guardians.
From Morigerati to Caselle in Pittari
10km, +500m, -350m
The second stage takes you deeper into the millennial history of these places of unspoilt nature.
A gentle descent takes you away from the Grotte del Bussento oasis before going up the evocative and spectacular Monte Pittari: from here you can enjoy a privileged view of the entire valley, with the evocative Hermitage of San Michele as a backdrop to your walk. Set in the rock, the Sanctuary consists of two separate caves located on the rocky wall of the mountain. Today's surprises aren't over yet and the arrival in Caselle in Pittari offers a village with ancient artisan traditions as demonstrated by the affection of the Casellesi for the Palio del Grano, a long-awaited event in which traditional knowledge is proudly reaffirmed within the community.
A special feature of Caselle is the presence of Italy's second largest underground river, which pours together with the river of the same name into the Bussento swallowhole, creating a system of caves and karstic cavities that attracts hundreds of enthusiasts from all over the world every year.
From Caselle in Pittari to Rofrano
17km, +510m, -490m
Today you will almost entirely retrace the route that the ancient pilgrims followed to reach the sacred Marian mountain of Cilento: the Mount Gelbison. This stage is among the longest but at the same time fascinating and suggestive of the entire route.
From the top of the Sacred Mountain, looking across the dense and enchanting vegetation, it is possible to catch a glimpse of the imposing profile of the Stromboli volcano which rises from the archipelago of the Aeolian Islands, to then accompany the observer to a 360° panorama from north to south.
Large expanses of wheat fields introduce you to Rofrano, anticipating much of the tradition that reigns in these parts, here in fact where the production of bread is a sacred rite that has remained so over the years. Even today, the local bakeries inebriate the senses with the delicate scent of finely wood-fired homemade bread.
From Rofrano to Montano Antilia
12 km, +580m, - 320m
A stage that leads to southern Cilento: here we advise you to savor the slowness of these places and the beauty of the scattered crops that tell of the rural origins of this territory. The chestnut trees around you color and perfume the countryside in autumn.
Arriving in Montano Antilia, you cannot help but notice the queen's white beans drying in the sun. The origin of the name seems to derive from the fact that this bean once reigned on peasant tables on important occasions, so much so that it was defined as the "meat of the poor", and hence the nickname queen.
We recommend visiting the beautiful Holy Staircase, a small chapel built in the highest area of the town, near the church of San Sebastiano from where pilgrimages to the Sacred Mount of Novi Velia once started.
Overnight in the suggestive Montano Antilia.
From Montano Antilia to San Nazario
17km, +400m, -730m
Today's itinerary ends on the slopes of the ancient place where the Monastery of San Nazario was built, where San Nilo da Rossano was welcomed to receive the sacred rite of tonsure which marks entry into the clerical state.
Completely immersed in the luxuriant Mediterranean maquis, you will cross only two inhabited areas with suggestive traditions and places of worship, ancient testimonies of a still little-known past. Like the Abbey of Santa Cecilia Eremita, part of an ancient grouping of ancient Italian-Greek monasteries. It is said that in this very place, dating back to around 1022, the monks treated those in need through the wild herbs of which they had a profound knowledge.
As well as marking the final part of the fifth stage, this passage represents the most spiritual moment of the journey.
The stage ends in the enchanting San Nazario, a lovely village developed around its monastery, nestled in a valley surrounded by three large hills and crossed by the fresh waters of its river. From here with a short transfer you will reach your accommodation in San Mauro La Bruca.
From San Nazario to Palinuro
15km, +320m, -570m
The final stage of the Cammino di San Nilo offers you a panoramic route with the arrival on Capo Palinuro from which it is possible to admire the whole coast and, ideally, the entire journey that from Sapri has brought you up to here.
With its sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, Palinuro is awarded the coveted Blue Flag every year. Enjoy a well-deserved rest in the waves of the crystal clear sea that will cradle you and regenerate you from the feat you have just accomplished.
Take a swim in the same waters that welcomed the legendary Aeneas and dive into the varied cuisine typical of the area. An advice? The pizzicotti (pinches) of fig jam will not disappoint you.
Goodbye Palinuro!
After breakfast, end of services.
Palinuro is considered one of the most beautiful and evocative places in Cilento. The enchanting panoramas of Palinuro have in fact enraptured the gaze of travellers from every era, one above all the legendary Aeneas. And this village overlooking the sea is linked to the Greek hero. Legend has it that Palinuro was the name of the helmsman who led Aeneas and his father Anchises out of the city of Troy in the grip of flames, and this episode recounted by Virgil is recalled by the inhabitants of Palinuro every year in August.
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.
What's included
Our offer includes
- 7 nights with breakfast in double room
- 2 home dinners (drink not included)
- Private transfer day 2
- Travel App (maps, tracks, route notes)
- Detailed route description with maps
- Pelgrims' Credential
- Luggage transportation hotel to hotel
- Phone assistance 08:00-20:00
Not included
- Transfer IN and Transfer OUT
- Public transports
- Meals and drinks
- Entrance fees and tips
- Hotel tourist taxes
- Insurance and everything not listed as "Included"
Departures and prices
Supplements per person
Other Information
The itinerary is signposted along the entire route, but requires particular attention in some places so as not to risk losing the path.
We recommend to wear comfortable shoes suitable for mountain trekking, and to bring with you trekking poles (strongly recommended), a hat, drinking water, sun cream, swimming suite and a waterproof jacket in case of rain.
The tour offers simple accommodation in central B&Bs and selected 3* hotels.
All rooms are ensuite.
- 1 night in Sapri
- 1 night in Morigerati
- 1 night in Caselle in Pittari
- 1 night in Rofrano
- 1 night in Montano Antilla
- 1 night in San Nazario
- 1 night in Palinuro
7 breakfasts included.
→ We will take care of your luggage while you are walking.
For the whole duration of your tour, you can contact our assistance numbers.
A few days before departure you will receive by email the Service List with instructions for using the Travel App.
Upon your arrival, ask at reception for the info pack with:
- updated Service List;
- luggage Labels;
- detailed route description with maps;
- Pelgrim's Credential.
Getting there
Sapri is easily reachable by train, bus, car and by air..
BY TRAIN. The starting point of the Cammino can be reached by train, with regional connections from Naples and Salerno, and in the summer months with the high-speed service that connects Sapri to Milan in just over 5 hours. Info on timetables and prices on www.trenitalia.com and www.italotreno.it.
BY AIR. The closest airports to Sapri are those of Salerno (link) and Naples (link).
BT CAR. Sapri is crossed by the SS18 Napoli-Reggio Calabria or via the A2 Mediterranean motorway, Padula/Buonabitacolo exit. Google.maps.com can help you with the directions.
→ If you are by car you can decide to go directly to Palinuro and leave your car at the free parking of the Hotel La Conchiglia - to be booked - and then reach Sapri by public transport.
Back to Sapri
Palinuro has 2 train stations: the Pisciotta-Palinuro railway station (8km from the centre) is connected with the Trenitalia regional trains, and the Centola/Palinuro/Marina di Camerota station (12km from the centre), connected in the summer months with the high-speed service in Milan. From Pisciotta station there is a connection with the center of Palinuro with Autolinee Infante
→ If you prefer your clients to travel in total comfort, they can book a private transfer on the days of arrival and departure.