Promontorio del Gargano

Introducing Promontorio del Gargano

The coast surrounding this enchanting bulge of land refracts a pinky, pearly light. The sea softens from intense to dusty blue as evening comes. It’s one of Italy’s most beautiful areas, encompassing white limestone cliffs, calca-reous grottoes, sparkling sea, ancient forests, and tangled, fragrant maquis. Once connected to what is now Dalmatia, the ‘spur’ of the Italian boot has more in common with the land mass across the sea than with the rest of Italy. Creeping urbanisation was halted in 1991 by the creation of the Parco Nazionale del Gargano. Aside from its magnificent display of flora and the primeval forests of Quarto, Spigno and Umbra, the park takes in miracle town San Giovanni Rotonda and the historic pilgrimage destination of Monte Sant’Angelo. Seaside towns Vieste and Peschici are popular summer destinations.

Along the coast you’ll spot strange cat’s-cradle wood-and-rope arrangements. These are trabucchi, structures built by fishermen from where they cast their nets, and are unique to the area.

The main park office, Ente Parco Nazionale del Gargano (0884 56 89 11; www.parcogargano.it in Italian; Via Abate 121; 9am-noon Mon-Fri, 3-6pm Mon-Wed), is in Monte Sant’Angelo. On its website is a long list of official park guides.

Walks and excursions are organised by Soc Cooperative Ecogargano (0884 56 54 44) based in Monte Sant’Angelo, and Explora Gargano (0884 70 22 37; www.exploragargano.it) in Vieste, which runs jeep, quad-bike, mountain-bike and walking tours.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009