Molise: the ancient tratturi, 2021
The Regi Tratturi, which were used by shepherds to carry out transhumance or to transfer herds and flocks from one pasture to another on a seasonal basis. In Italy, the intertwining of these roads is estimated at 3,100 km between the mountainous and innermost areas of the Molise-Abruzzo area, it ends in the Tavoliere delle Puglie. The Regi Tratturi constitute a precious testimony of paths that have remained almost intact for at least seven centuries. A horse trekking in the Molise lands is like scrolling through unexpected photographs: areas with shrubs and tree-lined spots become expanses of olive groves and cereals, meadows with a broom and rose hips make room for small or imposing morge (stones), the dense truffle woods are transformed in real images of high Apennine mountains. A journey on the saddle into the past, a sustainable, unique, and memorable experience. We will leave Colletorto, a small town in the province of Campobasso to embark on this journey through valleys, villages, ever-changing vegetation, and particular rock formations. We will ride slowly to reconcile with ourselves and with the surrounding world. We will seek our deepest roots. we will travel on the saddle in all serenity and freedom bucolic paths forgotten by modernity.
Departure dates from March to October on request
PARTICIPANTS: MIN 4 MAX 10
Arrive in the afternoon in the Valle del Fortone, in Colletorto (transfers from Termoli train station are available on request). Accommodation in a farmhouse and assignment of the horses for the following day. Dinner and overnight stay in a farmhouse.
After a good breakfast we'll set off on horseback to reach the chapel of Sant'Elena, in the countryside of San Giuliano di Puglia (CB), the starting point for this journey. In the first few kilometres, the tratturo, contrary to its usual north-west direction, points towards the south-west, resuming its "natural" route only after Ripabottoni. Many differences in height await us as we cross the Fortore and Cigno valleys. Shrubs, bushes, cereal crops and olive groves will paint the landscape around them. The two rivers will be forded as they were forded for centuries by shepherds, merchants and travelers. The tratturo has not changed much since then. Even the smell of broom and dog rose that at times envelops riders and horses is always the same. Packed lunch and rest. After about 35 km we reach the small village of Castelbottaccio, our destination for the day. Dinner and overnight stay in a farmhouse.
Breakfast and after preparing the horses, the company can get moving again. The tratturo will be intercepted in the Colle Marasca area, at an altitude of 900 meters. Here the ancient highway, the "green giant" can be appreciated in all its 111 meters of width. From the Biferno river you go towards the Trigno. Many "morge" to watch over the ancient path ... worthy of note is Morgia Sant'Angelo, also known as the "lioness" for the curious shape that resembles the feline, the site of a prehistoric human settlement and in the Lombard era devoted to the cult of St. Michael the Archangel. Halfway we will refresh ourselves with a nutritious packed lunch and a little rest. We will cross the two towns of Salcito and Bagnoli del Trigno, to conclude the journey in the afternoon in Civitanova del Sannio. Dinner and typical and overnight stay in a farmhouse.
After breakfast we mount the saddle to experience the last stretch of our fascinating journey along the Celnao-Foggia sheep trail. We begin to touch the high Molise. The landscape changes completely: hectares of forest, mostly cerrete. We are around 1000 meters of altitude. The fresh air on the faces of the riders, between the manes of the horses, to sweeten their fatigue. The company heads in the direction of Carovilli, a town in the province of Isernia. Along the way, we'll leave the sheep-track and enter the woods where we'll stop for lunch at Altavia, a restaurant and bistro, near the Mab reserve of Collemeluccio-Montedimezzo, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Relaxation, greetings and return to retrieve their vehicles (or transfer to the station on request).
Tariff per person, starting from:
| Departure | Double |
|---|---|
| From 5 May 2022 to 5 June 2022 | € 710 |
Notes
(B / L / D): B = breakfast; L = lunch; D = Dinner
| Departure supplement for 2 people in a double room | On request |
| Single supplement | Yes required |
Departure dates from March to October on request:
Difficulty level: From ° to °°°°°
DURATION: 4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS
DIFFICULTY: °°° (INTERMEDIATE)
ACCOMMODATION: farmhouse
EQUIPMENT: WESTERN SADDLE
HORSES: Appaloosa, Pain and Quarter Horse, reliable and accustomed to the proposed routes.
PACE: Experience in handling the horse outdoors and familiarity with 3 gaits is required
TYPE : itinerant trekking with overnight stay in a farmhouse.
ACCOMMODATION:
3 nights in a farmhouse, rustic but comfortable structures with private facilities.
Packed lunches along the way and home-cooked dinners based on typical local products (water and house wine included).
Note: The itinerary described above is to be considered indicative. It may be subject to variations due to weather conditions or circumstances beyond our control.
The tariff includes
The tariff does not include
Vediamo insieme perché e quando tosare un cavallo e quali sono le tosature classiche.
È vero che i cavalli sono noti per il fatto che sono capaci di dormire in piedi ma, come tutti gli equidi, dormono anche seduti o sdraiati di lato, soprattutto nella paglia fresca e pulita, nella quale amano rotolarsi.
Premio Turismo responsabile Italiano 2011
