Starting from the agriturismo, Cosimo’s hike is about 10km long. The goal is to reach the top of the hill of Miglionico, about 465 meters above sea level. The difference in altitude is about 350 meters.

The duration of the entire round trip is about 3.5 hours.

You’ll start this hike on the banks of the San Giuliano lake in a protected natural area. The reservoir was created from the barrage of the Bradano river and developed thanks to the Marshall Plan program between 1950 and 1957. The presence of the lake immediately attracted several species of aquatic birds, so much so that the WWF established an oasis here in 1989. In 2006, among the clay sediments that characterise the territory of the reserve, the skeleton of a whale dating back to the Pleistocene (about 2.5 million years - 11,700 years ago) was found.

After a short stretch along the shores of Lake San Giuliano, you’ll slowly begin to climb towards the town of Miglionico.

The path is easy and characterised by the alternation of several sheep-tracks and wide paths that have been traced first by the walkers, then the trampling of flocks and  then also by agricultural vehicles.

The route to the historic centre of Miglionico is entirely uphill. The lowest point is about 120 metres above sea level and the highest is at the castle of Miglionico, about 465 metres.

The beginning of the hike moves through the shade of Aleppo and Eucalyptus pines, which characterise the reforestation belt of the lake and then it becomes exposed and surrounded by the wheat and oat fields of local farmers.

After about 5 km you’ll reach the historic centre of the town of Miglionico, known for the Castle of Malconsiglio. It is here where the conspiracy of the Barons against King Ferdinand I of Naples took place.

From the castle and from the top of the hill on which Miglionico stands, it is possible to admire both the hilly landscape of the Bradano plain and to observe Matera from a different perspective.

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***ADVANCED BOOKING REQUIRED***