Cammino della Restanza

A trail connecting Irpinia and Daunia

The Cammino della Restanza is an itinerant trek of approximately 25-26 kilometres connecting Trevico, the highest municipality in Campania at 1,094 metres, to Monteleone di Puglia, the highest town in Puglia (842 metres), crossing the territories of Vallesaccarda, San Sossio Baronia, and Zungoli in the province of Avellino. This is not a race, but a collective, slow-paced walk open to experienced hikers and well-trained families, which draws over a hundred participants from Campania, Puglia, Basilicata, and Molise each time.

Vallesaccarda, a stop in the heart of Baronia

For the municipality of Vallesaccarda, the Cammino represents much more than a simple passage: the town is one of the itinerary's central hubs, and the local Pro Loco is among the initiative's historical organisers. Walkers descend from Trevico towards the town centre, where they find refreshments featuring the flavours of the Baronia, then continue along the historic Taverna delle Noci and the slopes of Monte Molara towards Zungoli. Vallesaccarda is, after all, known throughout Campania for its gastronomic vocation and the hospitality of its restaurateurs, a trait found in every edition of the event.

The meaning of 'restanza'

The event's name evokes the idea of restare (to remain): staying in the inland areas of the Apennines, taking care of them, and showing their value to those arriving from outside. Walking from one ridge to another thus becomes a way to tell the story of the villages of eastern Irpinia and Daunia, their historical and landscape heritage, and to build a sustainable tourism network between two neighbouring regions.

The route, stage by stage

• Trevico — meeting point and departure from the historic centre, featuring the church of Santa Maria Assunta and Palazzo Scola, the birthplace of director Ettore Scola.
• Vallesaccarda — refreshment stop at the Pro Loco headquarters and passage through the historic Taverna delle Noci.
• Monte Molara and San Sossio Baronia — the most scenic stretch, winding through trails and country roads.
• Zungoli — visit to the village, an 'Orange Flag' town of the Italian Touring Club and one of the 'Most Beautiful Villages in Italy', with its castle and famous tuff caves.
• Monteleone di Puglia — arrival in the province of Foggia, with a warm welcome, music, and a final celebration.

Seasonal editions

Born in January 2025 with an inaugural edition that brought over 120 people on the trail, the Cammino della Restanza quickly adopted a seasonal rhythm: the winter start was followed by the Spring Edition in May 2025 and then the third autumn edition on 19 October 2025, before the return of the winter appointment on 4 January 2026. The organisers' idea is to have people experience the same itinerary with the light, colours, and flavours of every season.

A community project

The organisation is the result of an associative network that unites the Cammino della Restanza Association, the Pro Loco of Vallesaccarda, Ruando Experience of Zungoli, and WildAunia Sport&Trekking of Monteleone di Puglia, with the support of the municipalities crossed, the Ufita Mountain Community, and affiliation with Federtrek. Since the autumn 2025 edition, the project has also opened up to schools, with educational outings dedicated to students from the Pascoli-Fermi Institute in Vallata. The initiative has also gained attention from national media, with features on Rainews 24 and Linea Verde.

Why participate

Those who choose the Cammino della Restanza find a complete day: walking in nature, guided tours of the villages, tastings of typical Irpinian and Apulian products, and a festive atmosphere upon arrival. It is one of the most authentic experiences to discover this corner of inland Campania, far from mass tourism circuits and very close to the border with Puglia.