Cammino della Restanza

A trail connecting Irpinia and Daunia

The Cammino della Restanza began in January 2025 as a long community walk spanning two regions: from Campania to Puglia, from the High Irpinia to the Daunian Sub-Apennines. The 26-kilometre route starts in Trevico (1,094 metres, the highest municipality in Campania) and ends in Monteleone di Puglia (842 metres, the highest town in Puglia), passing through Vallesaccarda, San Sossio Baronia, and Zungoli, in the province of Avellino.

This is not a race; it is a slow, collective experience rooted in identity, designed to showcase territories far from mass tourism circuits. The Municipality of Vallesaccarda, in Campania, serves as one of the key stages of the itinerary, featuring a refreshment stop hosted by the local Pro Loco.

The meaning of "restanza"

The event's name evokes a concept widely discussed in the inland areas of Southern Italy: restanza is neither resignation nor nostalgia, but the active choice to stay, care for, and regenerate one's land and community. In an area marked by depopulation, walking together from one village to another becomes a gesture that is both symbolic and concrete, weaving together sustainable tourism, local economy, and a sense of belonging.

The route stage by stage

• Trevico — departure from the historic centre, home to the Church of Santa Maria Assunta and the birthplace of director Ettore Scola.
• Vallesaccarda — a welcome and refreshment stop in a town known throughout Irpinia for its hospitality, gastronomic tradition, and the historic Taverna delle Noci.
• San Sossio Baronia and the hills of the Baronia, traversing country paths and trails.
• Zungoli — an "Orange Flag" village, featuring a Norman castle and famous tuff caves where cheeses are aged.
• Monteleone di Puglia — arrival, via the Regio Tratturo and the Selvamala woods, already in the province of Foggia.

A challenging but accessible itinerary

The total elevation gain is approximately +1,133 metres and the loss is -913 metres, with an E-level difficulty (hiking): the trail alternates between footpaths and paved sections, requiring basic experience and good stamina, especially due to the distance and some steep inclines. Refreshment points, medical and logistical assistance, and a shuttle service connecting the finish line to the start are provided.

Four editions, one for every season

The organisers structured the project as "A Year on the Trail": one edition for each season, with the route and programme evolving each time. Following the first walk in January 2025, which brought over 120 people from Campania, Puglia, Basilicata, and Molise to the trails, the Spring Edition in May and the autumn edition in October followed. In 2026, the trail extended further into the heart of the Daunian Mountains, towards Panni and Bovino.

More than just trekking

The walk is complemented by tastings of local products (from Trevico ham to Zungoli cheeses), guided village tours, welcoming moments offered by host communities, and an environmental education project for local primary schools, including mini-treks, orienteering games, and creative workshops. The organisation is managed by the Cammino della Restanza association together with Ruando Experience of Zungoli, WildAunia Sport&Trekking of Monteleone di Puglia, and the Pro Loco of Vallesaccarda, with the support of local hiking groups like Camminare in Baronia.

Why join

For those visiting inland Campania, the Cammino della Restanza is one of the most authentic ways to discover the Baronia: no crowds, panoramic views stretching from the Campanian Apennines to the Tavoliere, tiny villages, and a cuisine that holds a solid reputation in this part of the province of Avellino. It is an opportunity to walk in good company, meet the locals, and understand firsthand what it means to choose to stay today.