Transhumance, villages and nature of Wayfarers between history and traditions

”Walking, you learn about life. Walking, you get to know people. Walking, the wound heals. Walking, looking at a star, listening to a voice, following a footstep that someone else walked". (Ruben Blades)

This hiking tour from to Colle d’Anchise will take you right to the heart of Molise, through the Regio Tratturo Castel di Sangro-Lucera, to learn about the ancient practice of transhumance surrounded by a timeless atmosphere.

The steps, the tales and the people of the hamlets you will visit along the way are the protagonists of this slow itinerary, among sweet hills and evocative sceneries.

From the bells of to pastoral routes, trekking enthusiasts and nature lovers will have the opportunity to admire and experience a corner of paradise rich in history and ancient traditions.

PROGRAMME

DAY 1 Castel del Giudice

Arrival in Castel del Giudice (IS). At 800 metres above sea level, the village is characterized by a mountainous landscape dotted with apple orchards, particularly in the lower areas. These are a precious resource that provides organic apples, jams, fruit juices and other related products. In such a pleasant context, Albergo Diffuso Borgotufi will welcome participants in ancient rural houses that have been finely renovated, offering an authentic stay. Here you will meet our environmental hiking guide, who will explain the programme and provide information on the itinerary. Dinner and overnight in “albergo diffuso”.

DAY 2 First hiking day: Castel del Gudice--Agnone (19 km)

After breakfast you will start the hike along the ancient Tratturello Castel del Giudice- Sprondasino, a secondary artery of transhumance in southern . Although the original features are not visible anymore, this path is very interesting from a naturalistic and historical-cultural point of view. The pastoral route goes up the valley of the Sangro river, crosses Capracotta and descends into the valley of the Verrino creek, passing by Agnone and up to the Trigno river, where it joins the Regio Tratturo Celano-Foggia. Packed lunch.

This route is punctuated by several pastoral trulli - dry-stone folds used as shelter for shepherds on cold and rainy days - many fountains, large farms and a wayside cross. Agnone is a remarkable town rich in art. Dinner in restaurant and overnight in bed&breakfast.

DAY 3 Agnone - (20 km)

In the morning you will leave Agnone and hike towards the spring of San Lorenzo, featuring some Italic and Roman remains. The route runs from Villa Canale, a hamlet of Agnone, to the area of , on a long, inhabited hill crest. According to some historical finds, groups of Caraceni shepherds already lived here in pre-Roman times. Packed lunch. Passing contrada Mucchi, you will descend up to the Verrino creek and the village of Terra Vecchia, home to Taverna di Sprondasino, a key meeting point along the tratturi network in the ancient Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. From here, you will continue towards Bagnoli del Trigno, one of Molise’s most picturesque villages. Dinner and overnight in hotel.

DAY 4 Bagnoli del Trigno – (22 km)

After breakfast you will set off for Casalciprano. Walking among cultivated fields and small woods, you will reach the village of , where the countryside is peppered with rural houses dating from the 19th and 20th centuries. The current centre of Duronia stands on the old Regio Tratturo Castel di Sangro-Lucera, an ancient transhumance route used during the Kingdom of Naples. Then you will continue the hike along what was once one of the main travel routes, among hills and panoramic views.

Packed lunch. After passing the village of , you will leave the old trail used by shepherds and animals and continue towards the little rural church of Annunziata and the village of Casalciprano, walking through woods and fields. Dinner in restaurant and overnight in bed&breakfast.

DAY 5 Casalciprano – - Piana dei Mulini (13,5 km)

Slow rhythms will be the protagonists of this last hike that will take you to Colle d’Anchise. Starting from the village of Casalciprano, you will cross a hilly landscape punctuated by several small plots of cultivated land. Along the way, you will visit the village of Spinete that was once a Samnite settlement on the Pescasseroli-Candela route. Surrounded by twelve hamlets and hillocks, this peaceful village will be your stop for a unique and traditional picnic. Afterwards, you will continue the journey towards the valley of the Biferno river to reach an ancient rural hamlet turned into an enchanting historical residence, where the buildings that were once used to process the wool of the migrating flocks have been carefully renovated but still jealously preserve local traditions. Dinner and overnight in “albergo diffuso”.

DAY 6 Time to go home

Breakfast and transfer to your next destinations. End of our services.

What’s included in the tour

 5 nights in “albergo diffuso” and bed&breakfast

 Specialized assistance of our environmental hiking guide

 5 dinners and 4 packed lunches

 Activities/experiences as scheduled

 Luggage transport

What’s not included

 Transfer to and from Molise

 Transfer from Roma or Napoli on request