Salento, the sun-drenched heel of Italy’s boot, offers some of the most spectacular coastal hiking in all of Puglia. With turquoise waters, dramatic limestone cliffs, hidden caves, and ancient watchtowers dotting the landscape, these trails provide the perfect mix of adventure and natural beauty for families. Whether you’re traveling with young children or teens ready for a challenge, here are six incredible coastal hikes ranked by difficulty to help you plan your perfect Salento adventure.
🟢 SUPER EASY: Cava di Bauxite (Bauxite Mine)
Short walk to a surreal emerald lake | 0.5 km round-trip | 15-20 minutes
Why it’s perfect for families: This isn’t really a hike, but it’s an absolute must-see that even toddlers can manage. The former bauxite quarry near Otranto has been transformed by nature into one of Salento’s most photogenic spots.
The walk from the parking area is just a few minutes, leading you to a dramatic scene: rust-red cliffs surrounding an impossibly bright emerald-green lake. The color contrast is almost unreal, like something from another planet. Kids will be mesmerized by the vivid colors, and it’s an Instagram parent’s dream.
You can walk around the rim of the quarry (stay back from crumbling edges) and take in the otherworldly landscape. The site is particularly stunning in late afternoon when the sun illuminates the red rock and green water. Swimming is officially discouraged due to the high pH of the water, but it’s worth the visit just for the views.
Getting there from Lecce: About 35-40 minutes by car. The quarry is located just off the coastal road between Otranto and the Orte beaches, near the start of the Punta Palascia trail. Look for “Cava di Bauxite” signs. Limited parking is available.
Family tips: The walk is short but the ground can be uneven. Watch children carefully near the edges. Bring a camera. This makes a perfect quick stop before or after the Punta Palascia hike, or as a standalone attraction if you’re beach-hopping along the coast.
🟢 EASY: Roca Vecchia Coastal Walk
Torre dell’Orso to Grotta della Poesia | 3 km one-way (6 km round-trip) | 1-1.5 hours
Why it’s perfect for families: This is hands-down the easiest and most kid-friendly trail in Salento. The flat, gentle paths along low cliffs are manageable for even young children, and the rewards are huge: a natural swimming pool that looks like something from a fairy tale.
Start at Torre dell’Orso beach, where your kids will love spotting the “Due Sorelle” (Two Sisters) sea stacks rising from the water. Legend says two sisters were turned to stone here, making for great storytelling as you walk. The path meanders along the coast, passing little coves and caves that once sheltered Mediterranean pirates.
The grand finale is the Grotta della Poesia at Roca Vecchia, a collapsed cave forming one of the world’s most beautiful natural pools. The turquoise water is irresistible, and you can swim through a sea tunnel into the cave itself. The archaeological ruins surrounding the site add an educational element, showing Bronze Age and Messapian settlements perched on the cliffs.
Getting there from Lecce: About 30 minutes by car. In summer (mid-June to mid-September), bus 101 stops at both Torre dell’Orso and Roca Vecchia, making this super accessible without a car.
Family tips: The trail is unfenced near cliff edges, so keep little ones close. Bring swimsuits, water shoes, and plenty of sunscreen. You can do this as a one-way walk and take the bus back, or make it a round-trip adventure.
🟢 EASY: Sentiero delle Cipolliane
Ciolo to Novaglie | 2.5-3 km one-way (5 km round-trip) | 1.5-2 hours
Why it’s perfect for families: Short, mostly flat, and packed with “wow” moments, this trail is ideal for families with elementary-age kids who can handle a couple of hours of walking on rocky terrain.
The adventure begins at the dramatic Ciolo Bridge, which spans a deep canyon and serves as a jumping spot for local daredevils in summer. The path follows towering limestone cliffs with panoramic Adriatic views that’ll have everyone reaching for their cameras. The air is fragrant with wild thyme, oregano, and herbs growing in the Mediterranean scrub.
The highlight is reaching the Cipolliane sea caves, massive karst caverns perched about 40 meters above the crystal-clear water. Along the way, you’ll pass old dry-stone walls and traditional “pajare” (stone shepherd huts) that make great photo ops and teach kids about the region’s pastoral history.
Getting there from Lecce: About 1 hour by car. Public transport is trickier but doable: take the FSE train to Gagliano del Capo, then a 3 km taxi or walk to Ciolo. In summer, Salento In Bus line 101 runs from Lecce toward Leuca with stops near Gagliano/Ciolo.
Family tips: The trail is rocky and uneven, so sturdy hiking shoes (not flip-flops!) are essential. Bring water and snacks. The trail is well-marked with information boards, and you can start from either Ciolo Bridge or Marina di Novaglie’s harbor.
🟢 EASY: Parco Dune Costiere (Coastal Dunes Park)
Torre Canne to Torre San Leonardo near Ostuni | Various trails, 3-8 km | 1.5-3 hours
Why it’s perfect for families: This park offers easy trails that are ideal for families with children and those with reduced mobility, with generally flat and well-maintained paths. It’s one of the most accessible nature experiences in Puglia, combining coastal dunes, wetlands, ancient olive groves, and even archaeological sites.
The park stretches from Torre Canne to Torre San Leonardo covering about 1,100 hectares along 8 kilometers of coast. The Fiume Morelli wetland area is equipped with bridges, benches and paths where you can observe various species of migratory birds and admire sand dunes crossing beaches of rare beauty. Kids will love walking the small bridges over the coastal ponds and searching for herons, egrets, and other waterbirds.
One highlight is the massive Bronze Age Dolmen of Montalbano, an enormous stone construction from the 2nd millennium BC. The park also features rare vegetation, juniper trees, and pools behind the dunes hosting migratory birds. For older kids interested in history, you can explore karst channels called “lame” and cave settlements.
The park offers well-marked trails for hiking and biking, equipped rest areas, picnic spaces immersed in nature, and panoramic observation points. There’s an option to extend routes to fossil dunes and secular olive plains, and even include a picnic.
Getting there from Lecce: About 45 minutes by car north toward Ostuni/Brindisi. From Brindisi, the park is about 20-30 minutes by car via SS16 heading north, following signs to Carovigno and Ostuni. From Ostuni, it’s just a few kilometers south via local roads. The Albergabici visitor center offers park maps, information, bike rentals, and refreshments.
Family tips: The itinerary is of low difficulty as the route is entirely flat and paths are easy. The wetland area is especially magical in spring and fall during bird migration. The park offers educational activities and workshops for children. Consider combining your hike with a visit to nearby Ostuni, the beautiful white hilltop town, for lunch or gelato afterward.
🟡 MODERATE: Porto Selvaggio Coastal Trail
Loop through Porto Selvaggio Natural Park | 6 km loop | 2-3 hours
Why it’s perfect for families: This trail offers variety and beauty without being too demanding. It’s great for families with tweens and teens who want more adventure than a beach walk but aren’t ready for technical hiking.
The path winds through shady umbrella pine forests before opening to rocky bays and cliffs plunging into the turquoise Ionian Sea. Your family will explore two 16th-century watchtowers (Torre dell’Alto and Torre Uluzzo) perched on clifftops, perfect for channeling your inner pirate lookout. The prehistoric Grotta del Cavallo cave along the shore adds an archaeological dimension that curious kids will love.
Halfway through, you’ll reach the small pebble cove of Baia di Porto Selvaggio, where the crystalline water practically begs you to dive in. Plan for a swim break here to cool off and recharge before completing the loop.
Getting there from Lecce: About 30 minutes by car (35 km). In summer, bus 104 runs from Lecce to Gallipoli via Porto Selvaggio, stopping at “Casablanca” near a trail entrance. Outside summer, take a train to Nardò and a 10-minute taxi to the park’s Villa Tafuri entrance.
Family tips: Bring plenty of water and wear good hiking shoes, as the sharp karst rocks are tough on feet. The park is free to enter and has several trailheads with parking. A large trail map is posted at entrances, and you can download a PDF map from the park’s info page beforehand.
🟡 MODERATE: Porto Badisco & Torre Sant’Emiliano Loop
Circular hike from Porto Badisco | 7-8 km loop | 2-2.5 hours
Why it’s perfect for families: This wonderfully wild trail is perfect for families seeking an off-the-beaten-path adventure. It’s moderately challenging but rewarding, especially for families with kids who love exploring remote places.
Starting at the fjord-like inlet of Porto Badisco (supposedly where Aeneas landed in the legend), you’ll follow an old mule track through open rocky pastures and limestone outcrops to the 16th-century Torre Sant’Emiliano. The isolated tower sits on a promontory with breathtaking views of the deep blue Adriatic. On clear days, you can spot the mountains of Albania 70 km across the water, which never fails to impress kids.
The route passes historic farmstead ruins (masserie) and karst features, including the Grotta della Macchia cave near the coast. The landscape feels wild and unspoiled, with Mediterranean scrub and endless sea vistas. After your hike, the tranquil waters of Porto Badisco are perfect for swimming or snorkeling, often without the crowds found at more famous beaches.
Getting there from Lecce: About 45 minutes by car (50 km) via Otranto. In summer, Salento In Bus lines 101 and 104 have stops near Porto Badisco. Otherwise, take a train or bus to Otranto and a short 15-minute taxi or bike rental to Porto Badisco.
Family tips: There’s no shade and it’s often windy, so bring hats, sunscreen, and lots of water. The trail is remote with no facilities. It’s not technically difficult but requires stamina for the distance. Younger children might struggle, but tweens and teens will love the adventure.
🔴 CHALLENGING: Punta Palascia – Capo d’Otranto Path
Baia delle Orte to Porto Badisco | 5 km one-way (10 km round-trip) | 2.5-3 hours one-way
Why it’s for experienced families only: This trail is recommended for families with older teens who have hiking experience. It’s dramatically beautiful but requires caution and fitness.
The trek takes you to Italy’s easternmost point, starting near the otherworldly bright-green Bauxite Quarry Lake and following the Capo d’Otranto cliffs to the white Punta Palascia lighthouse. Along the way, you’ll discover hidden coastal caves with evocative names: Grotta del Vento (Wind Cave), Grotta del Rospo (Toad Cave), and Grotta del Cuore (Heart Cave), all carved into sheer seaside bluffs.
The trail passes WWII bunkers and ruins of ancient lookout towers that speak to the area’s strategic importance throughout history. At the lighthouse, the reward is an endless view across the Adriatic. On clear days, you can glimpse Albania’s mountains 70 km away, a truly unforgettable sight.
Getting there from Lecce: Take a train or bus to Otranto (about 1 hour). From Otranto, the trail begins about 4 km south, reachable by taxi or by walking/biking (which itself becomes part of the adventure). There’s no direct bus to the lighthouse, so driving is easiest if you’re not up for the full hike from Otranto.
Conclusion
Salento’s coastal trails offer families an incredible way to experience Puglia beyond the beaches. From natural swimming pools to ancient watchtowers, from hidden caves to the easternmost point of Italy, these hikes create memories that last far longer than a day at the resort. The combination of manageable distances, stunning scenery, and opportunities for swimming makes Salento an ideal destination for active families.
So lace up those hiking boots, pack plenty of water, and get ready to discover the wild beauty of Italy’s southern coast. Buon cammino! 🥾🌊
