Cilento is full of paths immersed in extraordinary natural sceneries, the paths extend throughout the territory, from the mountains to the hills, to the sea. The mild climate allows trekking in all seasons, most of the walks are within everyone's reach but there is no shortage of trails for expert hikers.
Walking in Cilento means slowly crossing hills covered with majestic centuries-old olive trees, getting intoxicated with the scents of the Mediterranean scrub, climbing towards the mountain among beech and chestnut woods, stopping to taste wines and ancient flavors in a typical restaurant. The natural conformation that goes from the sea to the high mountains is the setting for wonderful walks on foot, by bicycle, on horseback. There are various paths that trekking lovers can follow.
From Vallo della Lucania (392 m.) You follow the road by car that leads to the town of Novi Velia (648 m.) From which you continue along the road that climbs to the Sanctuary of Monte Gelbison (1,705 m.), Passing the bridge over the Torna torrent and skirting the same on the left bank. The road goes up on the left side of the Caricaturo valley and, after crossing a chestnut wood, you reach Piano Mancuso where you can leave your car.
Take the stone-paved path on the left which offers sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding valleys. In the first part of the path you cross a fir forest, then continuing to climb the density? of conifers decreases leaving room for Neapolitan alders and strawberry trees, then, at about a thousand meters above sea level, a majestic beech forest begins. At this point the path, after the last hairpin bends, joins the paved road that leads to the sanctuary ending in a clearing called Croce di Rofrano.
After a last short climb you arrive at the viewpoint that surrounds the sanctuary (1,705 m.), From where? It is possible to admire the Alburni towards the north, the Cervati massif to the east, more? far away the Sirino and the Pollino, and towards the sea, towards the south and south-west, the elongated profile of the coast of Palinuro.
The excursion starts from the town of Felitto, reachable from the coast and in particular from Paestum through the state road n. 166, which borders the northern limit of the Park, and therefore the provincial road 488.
The route by car, which in 19 km leads from Paestum to Roccadaspide, passes in succession the slopes of the Polveracchio (909 m.), Soprano (1,062 m.) And Vesole (1,210 m.) Mountains, all still covered by thick vegetation despite the intensive exploitation by the locals. After passing the town of Roccadaspide, continue along the state road for a few kilometers until you reach the crossroads where you take the provincial road n. 488 to Castel San Lorenzo, a small town famous for its excellent wine production, through the center of which it is about 11 km to reach the town of Felitto.
Once in Felitto, at the height of the first houses, take the asphalted road, 1 km long, which leads to the river Calore; the car can you? then park in a parking lot bordered by a fence.
The path to be covered on foot starts at a barrier and extends entirely along the right bank of the river Calore, allowing you to admire one of the most? interesting and accessible to the entire course of the river.
Continue along the river, which has continuous waterfalls, for about half an hour until the path begins to rise, moving away a little from the shore. The path then tends to descend until it reaches the Gole del Calore, a ravine that still preserves all its botanical heritage intact.
In this real natural oasis you can admire high limestone walls overlooking the river, perennially humid and not very sunny, and a rich vegetation consisting of dense woods of maple, oak, laurel, ash and ash trees. The Mediterranean scrub is also very present with phyllirea, myrtle, mastic tree, strawberry tree and broom.
From the sea to the mountains through the Mediterranean scrub and typical villages of the ancient Cilento where time seems to have stopped. Length 15 km; travel time 5 hours (without break) difficulty? Medium / high
Breathtaking views along the paths of the mountain to the sea. The excursion? combined with a visit to the Wildlife Recovery Center of Sessa Cilento. Length 8 km; duration 4 hours (without break) difficulty? Medium .
Historical naturalistic route following the waterways that turned the blades of the mills up to the last century. Length 13 km; duration 5 hours (without break) difficulty? Medium / high
Journey into the rural world of Cilento through a visit to the Museo della Civilt? Farmer from Vatolla and through a visit to an oil mill where the processing phases of one of the main components of the Mediterranean diet will be illustrated: extra virgin olive oil. Duration 3 hours; difficulty? Easy
Excursion on the sacred mountain between nature and religion with possibility? lunch and entertainment with Cilento ethnic music. Length 14 km. Duration 5 hours; difficulty? Average
Visit to the Marino winery in Agropoli, with tasting of DOC Cilento wines accompanied by bruschetta.
? Is it possible to combine it with a visit to the city? Greek-Roman archaeological site of Paestum. Duration 3 hours; difficulty? Easy
