Cammina Stella

A walk through the villages of Monte della Stella

Cammina Stella is a non-competitive walk that brings residents and visitors back to the trails of Stella Cilento every year. This small town in the Province of Salerno, Campania, is nestled on the slopes of Monte della Stella in the heart of the Cilento region. It is not a race, and there is no timer: it is a day of slow walking, designed to rediscover the network of paths and mule tracks that connect the town's hamlets and to reconnect the communities that live there. The initiative is part of a broader project promoting wellness and slow mobility in the Cilento hinterland.

The route: about six kilometers of easy walking

The trail measures approximately six kilometers and is described by the organizers as very gentle: no technical difficulties, minimal elevation changes, and a pace suitable for families, children, and casual walkers. All you need is sportswear and a pair of sneakers. The group traverses villages, footpaths, and scenic areas within the municipal territory:

• Amalafede — the hamlet where the walk begins
• San Giovanni — a farmstead that, according to local tradition, was established around 1225 when mountain dwellers fortified themselves on this spur
• Guarrazzano — an ancient settlement guarding the slopes of Monte della Stella
• Historic center of Stella Cilento — the finish line, featuring stops at Castello Vassallo and the School of Music

It is an itinerary that is worth more for the stories it tells than for the effort it requires: cultivated fields, olive groves, stone houses, and views toward the massif of Monte della Stella, the sacred mountain of ancient Cilento.

A memorial that changes its dedication every year

The Cammina Stella format has a unique feature that sets it apart from many other walks in Southern Italy: each edition is dedicated to the memory of a figure dear to the community. The first, in 2019, was the Roberto Vassalluzzo Memorial; the second edition in 2021 bore the name of Silvia Margarucci; the fourth in 2023 was dedicated to Gennaro Margarucci; the sixth in 2025 was dedicated to Don Salvatore, the town's parish priest for forty years; and the seventh edition in 2026 honored Luigi Bianco, mayor of Stella Cilento for about thirty years. Walking here is also a collective way of remembering.

Who organizes it

The event is promoted by the Pro Loco of Stella Cilento together with the Municipality, with the technical support of the Fitwalking Salerno group, which has collaborated on sports walking events in Cilento for years. The contact person is Mauro Russo, FIDAL Campania regional delegate for fitwalking and coach of the ASD Atletica Salerno: it is thanks to this collaboration that the walk maintains a proper sports structure while remaining accessible to everyone.

Lunch in the pine forest

The finale is the most anticipated moment: upon arrival, all participants gather in the pine forest for a convivial lunch offered by the Pro Loco. It is the most authentic Cilento part of the day, where the walk turns into a village festival and where visitors truly connect with the local community.

Why it is worth participating

• Participation is free and open, with no rankings or timing
• Short distance and easy route: suitable for all ages
• A simple way to get to know the hamlets of a town you might not otherwise visit
• The final lunch offered by the Pro Loco, with the typical hospitality of Cilento
• A date in spring or early summer, when the Cilento countryside is at its best