You are in Gargano near Mattinata, and you are tired of lying on the beach. What to do? You can take a short hike to Monte Saraceno. Along the way there are nice views and an old necropolis, which for many is the destination of the walk. And if you walk the whole route, you will end up on the beach again.

How to get to Monte Saraceno?

Monte Saraceno is located between Manfredonia and Mattinata. You can do the route starting from the point described below – then you go down the mountain, or walk from Mattinata and then you climb up.

But first things first.

From Manfredonia, you need a vehicle to get to Monte Saraceno; public transport does not go to this point, and the buses in Manfredonia are a joke. When going from Manfredonia towards Mattinata, you have to pass the first tunnel and immediately after it turn left onto the road leading up. This is an old route connecting Mattinata with Manfredonia, now rarely used by cars. But since it is almost empty, cyclists and motorcyclists love it, so don’t be surprised if one jumps out in front of your car.

Monte Saraceno is not the most famous place in the world; it is difficult to know that you are there, so you have to rely on GPS. Apart from that, a few meters from the road, in the grass next to a tree, there is only one information board. There is also no regular parking, so everyone parks at the beginning of the trail. And from there, a clearly visible path leads.

From Mattinata, it is easier: you can drive along the sea to the steps that start the path.

Monte Saraceno – what is it?

The name of the place comes from the Saracens, who settled there about 1,000 years ago. However, the Saracens were not the first inhabitants of the hill: they were the Daunians, whose agricultural civilization spread over Gargano, Foggia, and partly into the current province of Barletta-Andria-Trani. In Monte Saraceno, they left behind more than 500 tombs carved in the limestone rock between the Bronze Age and the Copper Age. Archaeological finds from the necropolis, such as carved heads, shields, and agricultural tools, are kept in museums.

In addition to the ancient tombs, on the left side of the path, you will have a panoramic view of Mattinata surrounded by greenery. The white buildings of the town are immersed in the trees and the sea nearby… it is quite a sight. On the right side of the path, old trees grow or lie. Many of them have incredibly large and strong roots that break the rocks. On both sides grow thickets of maquis, characteristic bushes of the Middle East. Gargano is home to many species of wild orchids that bloom in spring.

I have never been to Monte Saraceno in spring, but I suspect that this is the best time to visit, when the plants are green and the orchids are blooming.

Theoretically, the path ends at the ruins of the Benedictine abbey of Santissima Trinità. Theoretically, because the rest of the path leads to the beach in Mattinata.

How to get to the beach.

Generally very easy, because it’s a downhill route. When you reach the ruins of the abbey, look at the first ruined building. There, on the left, is a small path trodden in the grass, now marked. Last year, there were crumbling wooden barriers there; now there is a clear path, so continue down through the mountains/hills of Gargano. You will see a panoramic view of the sea and the Gargano coast, and other tombs hidden in the mountains. After 10-15 minutes, you will reach a viewpoint from which you can see the coast.

Getting to the beach is very easy: keep to the path, then the steps, and this will take you to Mattinata. Between the rows of houses, look for the “spiaggia” or “lido” signs indicating the beach. And then all that’s left is to lie on the sand and laze around.

Practically:

• The route is not difficult, but as usual, comfortable shoes are recommended.
• Some parts of the route, especially at the beginning, are a bit steep. People with knee problems may have a bit of a problem, but we have buttocks for special taks :). I did the more difficult part (I have bad knees) on my butts.
• Of course, you can do the route starting in Mattinata.-
• I always have a bottle of water with me