Experiences
Walking
Southern Italy, one step at a time
There is a side to Basilicata and Puglia that you’ll never see from the inside of a car window. It’s tucked away along the ancient mule tracks that connect one hilltop village to the next, in the peace of a beech forest on the Pollino, on the edge of a limestone ravine where the only sound is the wind and the flapping of a hawk’s wings. Walking is how this part of Italy reveals itself at its best. And over our 20 years of experience, we’ve put together the best itineraries to help you soak up the atmosphere.
Why walk with Slow Italy Tours
Loving hiking, well before it became a trend
Walking holidays in Southern Italy are not new to us. We’ve been doing it since 2002, when we started as local guides, leading our first trekkers through the Sassi and the Murgia plateau, and later founded Ferula Viaggi in Matera. Since then, we’ve explored and walked countless kilometers, building a local network of guides who know every corner and many stories, and earning a reputation for taking walkers to places they genuinely hadn’t expected to find.
We operate exclusively in Basilicata and Puglia — two regions that, frankly, deserve far more attention than they get. While crowds queue in other, more popular destinations, our trails are quiet, the landscapes extraordinary, and the villagers along the way still intrigued by passers-by and keen to have a chat.
Born here, walking here
Deep local knowledge
Our guides were born and raised here and know these trails in every season. No GPS or blog article replaces that.
Quiet trails, real villages
Off the beaten track
We enjoy helping our visitors also discover places away from over-visited areas. If youu2019d like, expect solitude, authentic villages and no queues, especially in the hilly Basilicata.
Walk light
Fully supported
Luggage transfers, pre-booked accommodation and detailed trail notes are handled by us. So you can focus on enjoying the walk.
Where you’ll walk
Terrain that changes every ten kilometres
One of the great joys of walking in Basilicata and Puglia is how dramatically the landscape shifts. In the space of just one week, you could find yourself moving from moon-like clay landscapes to dense forests of oak or beech, from silent gorges carved out by water over the centuries to villages perched by the sea, faded by the sunlight. Here’s a glimpse of the landscapes you’ll pass through as you walk with us:
3 hours Intermediate
The Path of the Quarries in the Park of the Rock Churches
Enjoy a fascinating walk through the ancient tuff quarries of Murgecchia, first opened in the 1700s.
Explore this tour
5 days / 4 nights Intermediate
The Sassi and the Lucanian Dolomites
Begin with an urban trekking experience in Matera, ending in the vast grassy plateaux offer stunning views of the Lucanian Dolomites.
Explore this tourHow we walk
Choose the format that fits your travel plan
Choose the walking format that best fits your travel plan, your independence and the kind of support you would like along the way.
Independent, but supported
Self-guided walking tours
For independent walkers who want to feel free but also enjoy that extra safety net. You get a detailed trail guide with a downloadable GPX track, pre-booked accommodation at each stage, luggage transfers and the support you need by our team.
Stories along the way
Guided group walks
Walk with an expert local guide who leads the way, explains the landscape, knows local traditions and old stories, and helps you engage with locals along the route. Whatu2019s more, they know exactly where lunch is worth lingering over.
Add a walking day
Day hikes and short escapes
Our single-day hikes and 2u20133 day short breaks are perfect for travellers who want to add an active element to a broader Puglia and Basilicata trip. Day hikes can be added to any tour or booked as standalone experiences.
What’s included
Everything you need at your hand
Here is what is typically included in a multi-day programme for those who choose an adventurous and experiential way of travelling, but preferably without the hassle of organising it all. Full details, with inclusions and exclusions, are listed on each tour page.
- Accommodation, selected and pre-booked at each stage
- Breakfast daily; some programmes include dinner
- Luggage transfer from stage to stage. You only carry a daypack
- Detailed trail notes and downloadable GPS tracks
- Expert tour leader (guided tours)
- Phone support throughout your trip
- Transfers to and from the airport available as an add-on
- Pre-trip information pack
Plan your trip
Tell us what you have in mind
Share a few details and our team will get back to you with the most suitable options.
