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Day 1: Arrival in Brindisi
Arrival at the hotel, dinner and night.
02
Distance 25,2 km
Day 2: Brindisi - Torchiarolo
From Brindisi the path leaves the sea, which we will see again only in Otranto and Leuca, to cross the Salento plain; in this first internal stage, of medium length, but not very tiring due to the absence of differences in level, there are olive groves and expanses of arable land, patches of ancient villages and vestiges of a post station of the Via Traiana Calabra. Finally, you reach the village of Torchiarolo. There are no water sources along the route, so stock up well upon departure.
03
Distance 22,5 km
Day 3: Torchiarolo - Lecce
An easy stage, in which we continue to cross the olive grove plain which has unfortunately been devastated by Xylella, the bacterium which has especially afflicted Salento for several years. The Romanesque jewel of the Abbey of Santa Maria di Cerrate and the baroque pearl of Lecce flood us with light and wonder: a stop to visit the rich historical-artistic heritage of the city is certainly recommended. There are no water sources along the route, so stock up well upon departure.
04
Distance 30,9 km
Day 4: Lecce - Martano
Today a stage, made challenging also by the high percentage of asphalt, but punctuated by a series of places where you can enjoy pleasant stops: after the fortified village of Acaya, you arrive in the suggestive Vernole, where you can stop for the night and resume the journey the following day. In the second part of the stage, you cross countryside full of olive trees and pajare, and you arrive in Martano, the heart of Grecia Salentina.
05
Distance 30,5 km
Day 5: Martaro - Otranto
A long stage, mostly on asphalt, but full of places and cities suspended between West and East, where you can stop: Carpignano Salentino, Cannole, Palmariggi and Giurdignano, a fascinating megalithic garden. You walk in the footsteps of medieval pilgrims along the carriage roads of the Via Traiana Calabra and through the Idro valley you finally reach Otranto, the magnificent gateway to the East.
06
Distance 23,8 km
Day 6: Otranto - Vignacastrisi
Having said goodbye to Otranto and the sea, we immerse ourselves again in the Salento hinterland: Leuca becomes closer, but in the 32 km that separate us from the final destination, there are still many surprises awaiting the walker. In this stage, of medium difficulty, you admire the bauxite lake, the ruins of the abbey of San Nicola di Casole, with its glorious past, and pass through typical rural villages. The expected arrival is in Vignacastrisi, but with 2 km more you can reach Castro, the legendary place where Aeneas landed in Italy.
07
Distance 14,3 km
Day 7: Vignacastrisi - Tricase
The journey towards Leuca proceeds at a slow and relaxed pace: in fact, only two short stages separate us from the destination. Today's one proceeds parallel to the coast; after Marittima, the town of towers, you pass through a series of districts and paths that offer beautiful views of the sea. In the final stretch the route bends towards the hinterland reaching the characteristic town of Tricase.
08
Distance 18 km
Day 8: Tricase - Santa Maria di Leuca
The journey in this last stage winds along rural districts, among olive trees and dry stone walls, in a succession of tiny and fascinating medieval villages of Tizzano, Corsano and Gagliano del Capo. And from here begins the progressive descent towards the sea which suddenly opens up to the traveler's eyes just before reaching the final destination: Leuca, the Finis terrae of Italy, the landing place of the Via Francigena in the south.
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Day 9: End our service
See you next year to walk together the next stage
