Unplug from the noise, enjoy the shade, and marvel at the towering green giants filling Foresta Umbra, the green lung of Gargano.
Gargano National Park, located in northern Puglia on the spur of the boot, is little known outside Italy… for now.
Yet, this region is packed with incredible highlights:
- Charming fishing villages along the Adriatic coast.
- White beaches and cliffs stretching as far as the eye can see.
- A forest where you can breathe in fresh air under the shade of the trees.
Fancy joining us for a stroll?
Trails through Foresta Umbra
The 15 paths winding through this shady forest add up to a total of 54 km.
You can explore them on foot or by mountain bike; they're marked with yellow dots on trees or fences, and mostly follow trails sheltered from the sun and surrounded by lush greenery.
Information about these routes is practically nowhere to be found, both on the park's official websites and locally, except for a faded map at the start of each trail.
On this page, you'll find a map sketch of the trails available in Foresta Umbra (the numbers match up):
- Sfilzi – Casalini (1 hour).
- Sfilzi – Caritate (3 hours, 228m elevation gain).
- Baracconi – Monte Maiuri – Caritate (6 hours, 528m elevation gain).
- Caritate – Ginestra Inferiore.
- Ginestra Inferiore – Ginestra Superiore.
- Ginestra Superiore – Torre Palermo (4+5+6= 8 hours, 539m elevation gain).
- Regresso – Valle del Tesoro (1.5 hours).
- Lago d’Umbra – Falascone (1.5 hours).
- Lago d’Umbra – Murgia (2.5 hours).
- Murgia – Dispensa (3.5 hours).
- Dispensa – Lago/Cutino d’Otri (4 hours).
- Cantoniera – Paglizzi (1 hour).
- Paglizzi – Scaranappe (2 hours).
- Falascone – Murgia (2 hours).
- Murgia – Lago d’Otri (2 hours).
And in the links section at the end of this post, you'll find other websites (in Italian) where you can get a bit more info on each route.
Now, let me tell you about the one we did.
Lago d’Umbra – Murgia
Due to our lack of info, we headed towards Lago d’Umbra without much of an idea of what we'd find.
We parked next to the picnic area, which was taken over at that moment by dozens of grazing cows… adorable!
We took a leisurely stroll around the lake, spotting turtles, carp, tadpoles, field mice, and even a grass snake gliding over the water like it owned the place.
As wildlife lovers, we were totally fascinated. Like kids with new toys, really… 🙂
Next up, we decided to wander along one of the trails starting right from there. We chose the one heading to Murgia because, right at that moment, a family that was equal parts large and loud took the second trail heading to Falascone. Simple as that!
The trail is wide and flat, suitable for all ages. Plus, it's a lovely route and sheltered from the sun the entire way by the tree canopy.
Are you in the area and looking to escape the noise, crowds, and heat?
Foresta Umbra is your answer.
How to get there
The easiest way to get around is by car, whether your own or a rental. You'll find parking areas right next to all the picnic spots.
You can also reach Foresta Umbra and explore many of its trails on a mountain bike. Into cycling? You're going to have a blast. 😉
What to bring
- Mosquito repellent.
- Sunscreen (just in case, I haven't done every single trail).
- Comfortable footwear.
- Plenty of water and snacks.
Useful Links
- Trail map/sketch.
- A page detailing trail times and specific details for some of these routes (in Italian).
- Official website of the Gargano National Park.
- Website of the Foresta Umbra.
- Hotel deals nearby.
- Flights to Italy: Trabber, eDreams, Momondo, and Vueling.
- 5% discount when booking your travel insurance with IATI.
If you're road-tripping around the Gargano area, you'll love this (seriously, have you seen the photos of these beaches?):
- Vieste, the capital of Gargano.
- Vignanotica, the public beach to fall head over heels for Gargano.
- Baia delle Zagare, Italy's most inaccessible (or almost) dream coves.
- Discovering the Gargano sea caves by kayak.
Got any questions about the Foresta Umbra in Gargano? Drop them in the comments below!