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The Path of the Ravines – from Matera to Alberobello
The Path of the Ravines is an 11-day, 10-night self-guided walking tour from Matera to Alberobello across the Terra delle Gravine of Basilicata and Puglia, graded moderate to challenging. You link two UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the Sassi of Matera and the trulli of Alberobello – via Montescaglioso, Ginosa, Laterza, Castellaneta, Mottola, Massafra, Crispiano and Martina Franca, past deep canyons, rock-cut villages and frescoed cave churches.
Day-by-day itinerary
- Day 1
Matera
Arrival in Matera, on the border between Basilicata and Puglia, famous for its Sassi districts – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and a history going back more than 30,000 years. Take time to visit the rock churches open to the public and the reconstruction of a typical cave house. If you arrive late in the evening, we recommend adding an extra night in this unique city. Overnight in Matera.
- Day 2
Matera – Montescaglioso
18.8 km · +442 m
After the morning briefing with our local representative, you leave Matera through a spectacular passage cut into the rock, with views over the Sassi. For several kilometres the path follows the rim of the Matera ravine (gravina), a deep canyon dotted with cave dwellings and rock churches, then crosses plains, olive groves and wheat fields. About 5 hours of walking on dirt tracks and paved lanes. Overnight in Montescaglioso.
- Day 3
Montescaglioso – Ginosa
14.3 km · +303 m
A panoramic path leads down through the woods, leaving behind Montescaglioso and its Abbey of San Michele Arcangelo. Rolling hills of wheat, small pine and oak groves and Mediterranean scrub take you into the rugged ravine country. At the end of the day you can see the “Thinking Sage” olive tree of Ginosa, whose exact location few people know. About 4 hours of walking. Overnight in Ginosa.
- Day 4
Ginosa – Laterza
13.8 km · +223 m
Today you explore two remarkable rock villages, Il Casale and Rivolta, where cave dwellings on several levels are linked by stairways and paths; they were inhabited until the first half of the 20th century. The walk continues along the bed of the ravine towards Laterza, through a wild, timeless landscape shaped by nature and people since prehistoric times. About 4 hours of walking. Overnight in Laterza.
- Day 5
Laterza – Castellaneta
24 km · +457 m
Laterza, known for its maiolica and its bread, is the start of a striking path along the rim of the Laterza ravine, one of the largest in Europe, with walls over 200 m high. From the Monte Camplo nature reserve, home to Macedonian, downy, kermes and holm oaks and Aleppo pines, tracks and lanes lead to Castellaneta, perched on the edge of its own ravine, 145 m deep and about 300 m wide. Overnight in Castellaneta.
- Day 6
Castellaneta – Mottola
16.5 km · +374 m
Heading towards Palagianello, you reach the rock church of San Nicola, a remarkable gallery of medieval Apulian folk religious art. An old tratturo (sheep track) climbs through rock settlements such as Casalrotto – a few hundred caves carved into both sides of the ravine – and the church of Sant'Angelo, the only rock church in Italy on two floors. A final climb takes you up to Mottola on its hilltop (4–5 hours). Overnight in Mottola.
- Day 7
Mottola – Massafra
18.7 km · +143 m
Mottola is nicknamed “the Ionian Spy” for its hilltop position overlooking the Gulf of Taranto and the mountains of Calabria. Below the town you pass the rock church of San Gregorio, whose frescoes include a majestic Christ Pantocrator, then a long path through ancient olive trees leads into the quiet countryside. You arrive in Massafra, the “Italian Thebaid”, set between the cave-riddled San Marco and Madonna della Scala ravines (about 5 hours). Overnight in Massafra.
- Day 8
Massafra – Crispiano
17.5 km · +374 m
Leaving Massafra, you head for Masseria Amastuola, a 15th-century fortified farm surrounded by a vineyard garden designed by landscape architect Fernando Caruncho. A path along the bed of the Triglie ravine winds through dense Mediterranean scrub and past the rock villages of San Cipriano and San Michele to Crispiano (4–5 hours). Overnight in Crispiano.
- Day 9
Crispiano – Martina Franca
27.4 km · +462 m
The longest day starts in Crispiano, “the town of 100 masserie”, on the border between the Itria Valley and the Terra delle Gravine. You cross Bosco delle Pianelle, one of Puglia's largest green lungs – a holm-oak forest in a doline called Gravina del Vuolo – and then the Eastern Murge nature reserve. The route passes Masseria Galeone, home to the Murgese horse breeding centre and museum, before reaching Martina Franca (7–8 hours). Overnight in Martina Franca.
- Day 10
Martina Franca – Alberobello
19 km · +234 m
From Martina Franca, the Baroque gem of the Itria Valley, paths and lanes lined with dry-stone walls run through wheat fields, olive groves, vineyards and masserie. You walk through Bosco Selva, the remains of an oak forest that once covered much of the area, and reach Alberobello, the “capital of the trulli” and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996 (about 5 hours). Overnight in Alberobello.
- Day 11
Alberobello
Departure after breakfast. End of our services.
Tour details
- Duration
- 11 days / 10 nights
- Tour type
- Self-guided walking tour, with navigation app
- Area
- Murgia and Matera
- Distance
- 170 km
- Level
- Moderate to challenging
- Departures
- Dates of your choice, subject to availability
- Participants
- Minimum 2
- Accommodation
- 10 nights in Comfort Plus category accommodation, double room.
- Meals
- Breakfast every day; lunches and dinners are not included.
Prices and services
Prices per person in a double room
| Category | Low season | Mid season | High season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comfort PlusPer person in a double room – low / mid / high season | € 1,240 | € 1,295 | € 1,355 |
Seasons
| Season | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Low season | 7 Jan – 31 Mar · 7 Apr – 31 May · 21 Sep – 21 Dec | 7 Jan – 21 Mar · 5 Apr – 18 Apr · 3 May – 31 May · 21 Sep – 21 Dec |
| Mid season | 1 Jun – 13 Jul · 25 Aug – 20 Sep | 22 Mar – 4 Apr · 19 Apr – 2 May · 1 Jun – 12 Jul · 25 Aug – 20 Sep |
| High season | 28 Mar – 6 Apr · 14 Jul – 24 Aug · 22 Dec – 6 Jan | 13 Jul – 24 Aug · 22 Dec – 6 Jan |
Included in the price
- 10 nights' accommodation
- Daily breakfast
- Luggage transfers from accommodation to accommodation
- Access to our navigation app with preloaded GPX tracks, digital roadbook and practical and tourist information
- Eco bag with snacks and gadget
- Telephone assistance
- Travel insurance (medical and luggage) – see the insurance information
Not included
- Lunches and dinners
- Drinks
- Airport transfers (available on request)
- Minivan assistance
- Tourist taxes
- Everything not listed under “What is included”
Supplements
| Single room | + 30% on the base price |
| Single traveller (bookings of 1 participant only, covers per-person logistics costs) | + € 540 |
| August supplement (1–24 August), Economy category | + € 255 per person |
| August supplement (1–24 August), Deluxe category | + € 505 per person |
Prices are per person in a double room and based on a minimum of 2 participants. Travelling solo? The single traveller supplement applies.
Route map
Questions about this tour
How long is the Path of the Ravines and how much does it cost?
11 days / 10 nights, from € 1,240 per person in a double room in low season. Mid season costs € 1,295 and high season € 1,355 per person.
Where does the walk start and end, and how do I get there?
It starts in Matera and ends in Alberobello. Bari airport is the nearest to Matera, and Alberobello is within reach of both Bari and Brindisi airports; airport transfers are not included but can be arranged on request.
How difficult is it and how many kilometres do I walk?
Moderate to challenging: about 170 km over 9 walking days, from 13.8 to 27.4 km a day with 143 to 462 m of ascent. The longest day, Crispiano – Martina Franca, takes 7–8 hours.
When is the best time to go, and are there seasonal supplements?
Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) are the most pleasant seasons for walking in Puglia. Prices follow low, mid and high season, and an August supplement applies from 1 to 24 August.
What kind of paths will I walk on, and what shoes do I need?
Mostly dirt tracks, gravel paths and quiet paved lanes, with stretches along the rims and beds of the ravines. Comfortable, broken-in hiking shoes with good grip are recommended; you only carry a daypack, because your luggage is transferred for you.
Is luggage transfer included, and how do I find the way?
Yes: luggage transfers between accommodations are included, along with 10 nights with breakfast, our navigation app with GPX tracks and digital roadbook, luggage and health insurance and telephone assistance. Lunches, dinners, airport transfers and tourist taxes are not included.
