Through the olive groves of Otranto

(S/E) Set off from the unnamed park bordering Via Cristoforo Colombo, with your back to the sea. After 100 m, turn right onto Via Papa Giovanni Paolo II and cross a small bridge.

(1) Turn left before a petrol station (towards Maglie-Lecce). After about 500 m, turn left, ignoring the sign for Maglie–Lecce, and go under the motorway bridge.

(2) At the first Fork in the road, turn left down a slight slope before quickly heading back up the tarmac road towards the south-west.

(3) After 600 m, just past a stone wall, turn right onto a gravel track that runs alongside an abandoned property and leads into the olive groves. Continue along this track for about 1 km, ignoring any tracks branching off to the left or right.

(4) At the junction with the tarmac road, follow this to the left for a good kilometre, passing a restaurant, and carry on straight ahead at the junction with another tarmac road. Join another tarmac road which descends to the left.

(5) Take the hairpin bend and follow the signs for the “Via Francigena”, which passes through here. After 300 m, turn onto a gravel track that descends to the right and, a little further on, passes an ancient rock-hewn church (San Angelo).

(6) Cross a small bridge and then take the path that branches off to the left and, further on, becomes a tarmac road running alongside the river.

(7) Pass under the motorway again and continue to Via Papa Giovanni Paolo II. Cross the road to reach the park (S/E).

Don’t forget to take water with you – there are no refreshment points along the route.

Make the most of a visit to the little town of Otranto – it’s well worth it. 
There are some excellent restaurants for seafood lovers.