Radici in Cammino

A walk through the vineyards of Sannio

Radici in Cammino is the vineyard trekking event that the Pro Loco of Guardia Sanframondi, in the province of Benevento, hosts every year in early summer. It is neither a race nor a hike for experts only: it is a slow, guided circular walk that starts from the village and heads into the rural districts of the municipality, passing through specialized vine rows, olive groves, and panoramic viewpoints overlooking the Telesina Valley and the Matese mountains.

The route and its stops

The itinerary changes slightly each year, but the structure remains the same: a half-day circular route with moderate elevation gain and low-to-medium difficulty. Along the way, there are several stops where experts explain viticulture techniques and the geological aspects of the soil that give Sannio wine its unique character. The pace is that of a group walk, with plenty of time for photos, questions, and taking in the surroundings.

• 8-11 km loop depending on the edition, with low-to-medium difficulty;
• passage through the historic center and wine-growing districts, including Santa Lucia and Sapenzie;
• educational stops on viticulture and local geology;
• route open to children and four-legged friends;
• convivial moments and cellar refreshments in recent editions.

Landscape, memory, and hospitality

The event's title is not accidental: the "roots" refer to the vines, but also to people. The 2025 edition was dedicated to World Refugee Day, while the 2026 edition focused on World Hope Day; in both cases, the walk was conceived as a symbolic gesture regarding the right to move, find a home, and put down roots. In Guardia Sanframondi, this theme is deeply felt: for years, the ancient village has hosted an international community, largely English-speaking, which has restored and repopulated the historic center's homes alongside local hospitality initiatives.

Guardia Sanframondi, home of Falanghina

The context makes all the difference. Guardia Sanframondi is one of the most important wine centers in Campania: it is home to one of the largest wine cooperatives in Southern Italy, and the town, along with its surrounding area, was named "Sannio Falanghina European Wine City 2019." The municipality is part of the national "Città del Vino" association, and its economy revolves around Falanghina del Sannio, Aglianico, and hillside olive groves. Guardia is also known for the Riti Settennali di Penitenza (Seven-Year Penance Rites), which, every seven years in the week following August 15th, draw thousands of people to the Sanctuary of the Assumption: an intangible heritage that coexists with the medieval castle and the restored alleys of the village.

Who organizes it

The event is promoted by the Pro Loco Guardia Sanframondi, with the moral patronage of the Municipality and the collaboration of a wide network of local associations: Rinnovamento guardiese, Nuovo laboratorio teatrale, FC Guardia Sanframondi, Sannio Rangers, Misericordia, Lilliput, the municipal volunteer unit, ArciGuardia, Guardia Ambientale ODV, Guardia Viva, Circolo Viticoltori, and I Coraggiosi. Numerous local businesses, including wineries, pharmacies, and shops, contribute to the event: it is truly built by the community.

Why participate

Radici in Cammino is one of the simplest and most authentic ways to discover the Sannio countryside. The registration fee is symbolic, the pace is accessible to everyone, and the mixed company of families, hikers, and wine enthusiasts makes for a convivial day. Visitors from outside the region can combine the walk with a visit to the village and castle, local wineries, and the Telese thermal baths, just a few kilometers away. It is a different way to experience the Italian agricultural landscape: not from a car window, but step by step, among the rows.