HPB Coreggia: The Aquedotto Pugliese

Toni's Treat - The Aquedotto Pugliese and the Canale di Pirro

Toni was thrilled to discover a beautiful and peaceful country walk right on HPB’s doorstep! It reveals contrasting landscapes: carefully cultivated olive groves and orchards that surround the HPB site, and a wilder wooded landscape along the aqueduct and on the hillsides opposite; while between the hill-slopes lie the fields and vineyards of the valley known as the Canale di Pirro.

There are several options for enjoying this walk. We describe a basic circuit of 10KM which can be walked from the HPB site. Optional extensions can make this into 10.5 or 11KM circuits or, for a short stroll along the aqueduct path, you can drive to either end and do a ‘there and back’ walk of whatever distance you want, to get a flavour of the countryside.

The second part of the path is punctuated by a series of yellow and black gates with ‘no entry’ signs and signs prohibiting fly-tipping. Toni tells us that the gates have been erected by the owners of the aqueduct primarily to stop people driving in to dump rubbish (indeed on the first part of the path which is not protected by gates there are a few old fridges etc!) There is space for a walker to pass around the gateposts (the final gate back on to the road, it’s a bit of a squeeze!) So don’t be put off by the signs, but enjoy the way they protect the environment.

WALK

From the main HPB car park we turn right up the track past the HPB Trulli, heading north east, WP75. In 400m, at the tarmac road, we turn right (east south east), passing a square stone building on our left. After 110m turn left (north east) onto a track, heading north east gently uphill (WP76) and down again. After 880m we reach the main road SP77 and turn right (east) for 130m, before turning back into the countryside on the first track right up hill, south south west. When the track reaches a dip after 300m (WP78) we turn left, heading east. The track veers right (east south east) and we follow it for 1km, ignoring 2 tracks to the left and a farm entrance to the right.

Reaching a T junction (WP81) we turn left (north north east) downhill on a track, heading towards a mast on the far hilltop. In 300m we return to the main road by a large sign describing the Strada del Olio Viedulive (WP82) [Point 1].

We cross the main road to a small road sloping down to the left below the crash barrier, just left of the road to Santa Croce. After a few metres the tarmac gives way to gravel and the countryside changes; we are surrounded by bushes, small trees and sloping fields. After 300m the track forks (WP83), We take the left fork (north north west). The countryside becomes more wooded (though the trees don’t provide much shade from the midsummer sun). In another 300m the track forks again (WP84) and again we go left, towards a stone structure - the end pier of the first bridge of the aqueduct.

We cross the bridge, looking down on the treetops below, and follow the track right (north west, WP85). We will get extensive views right, over the valley called Canale di Pirro, and the forest beyond, Selva di Fasano. The track is level, bordered by wildflowers, bushes and trees (including the local oak, quercus trojana). It runs in a straight line for 500m to the next bridge, after which it bends right to contour around the hillside. Rounding the bend, there is a good view back to the bridge we have just crossed.

Then the track bends left, giving further views. In 1km a track runs right up to join us [Point 2]. 200m later we spot one of the aqaduct’s kilometre stones to the left, followed by the first pair of black and yellow gates across the path (WP87). We walk round the gates, which border a track crossing yours, to continue to the 3rd bridge. After another 500m we stop to admire a small tower (WP88)

Beyond this the track narrows and there is more shade. 200m brings us to the 4th bridge (WP89) and in another 200m we reach the bridge which we noticed when driving along the road that leads north from Coreggia. The next 500m leads over 2 more bridges, then the track leads uphill, and down again to another pair of gates in 500m (WP91). [Point 3].

For the most direct return to the site (2km from Point 3), turn left and take the stony path uphill (south east) (red arrows) until we reach a farm in 500m. Here the track joins a road at a right angle bend, as we continue straight ahead (south east) until we reach the main road SP77 north of Coreggia. For the shortest return to the site, turn left along SP77, and in 100m we turn right along the larger SP162.  In 500m it bends to the left, but we fork right onto the smaller road, da Concolino (WP106). In 800m, we take the third turning on the right (WP107), just after a green metal barrier leading into a vineyard. This is the track we started out on, and leads back to the HPB trulli.

Alternatively, to visit the centre of Coreggia on the way back, perhaps for a drink or some shopping, turn left at Point 3 and follow the directions above.  At the SP77 turn right (blue arrows) along the road into Coreggia.  Where it bends left after 100m, we can avoid  the main road by taking the quieter street on the right, which we follow for 500m until it reaches a STOP sign (WP98) where we turn left into Viale Serenissima in P, passing a seat and water pump on the corner. In 300m, we reach the Coreggia traffic lights.  From here follow the HPB signs back to the site (3.2km from Point 3 to HPB site).

To explore the full extent of this stretch of the aquaduct, and return via the centre of Coreggia, continue straight ahead at Point 3, over the 8th bridge. Here the view opens out again to our right, and we may hear cowbells - coming from the horses reared down below! In 400m we reach another set of gates, making the end of a track which joins us from the right. Going straight on, we soon reach the 9th bridge, followed by another tower, then a gate. Our track now winds uphill for about 300m to the road. We squeeze past the gate, and turn left. The road continues uphill, bends left, and winds it way to Coreggia. In 1km we reach a seat and water pump (WP98) at a crossroads, and continue straight down Via Serenissima in P to the Coreggia traffic lights in 300m. From here we follow the HPB signs back to base (3.7m from Point 3 to HPB site).

HPB's unique Trulli complex at Coreggia provides a fantastic slice of Italian heritage and sits just outside the World Heritage Site of Alberobello. Please click here for further details about how you could holiday at the traditional round Apulian dwellings.