Hiking up Monte Bulgheria in southern Cilento

Monte Bulgheria is located a few kilometres from the Masseta coast on the Tyrrhenian Sea, between Marina di Camerota and Scario. At 1225 m, it stands freely above the southern Cilento, making it a rewarding hiking destination with stunning views. The mountain has many faces – approaching from the northeast, from Sanza, Scario, Torre Orsaia or Roccagloriosa, steep rock faces of light limestone dominate, whereas the southwestern side slopes gently down towards San Giovanni a Piro and Licusati. To the north, the ridge of the mountain massif drops steeply into the wild, canyon-like Mingardo Gorge, Gola del Diavolo.

In the early morning, the last thunderstorms were still moving along the coast. It only takes a little rain to turn the otherwise dusty roads into slippery slides, so the nocturnal and winding drive from Marina di Camerota via Lentiscosa to S. Giovanni a Piro demanded utmost attention and slow driving.  However, the sky soon cleared, and Monte Bulgheria shone majestically in the morning sunshine. This spectacle can be enjoyed perfectly from the square in front of the Sanctuary of Madonna di Pietrasanta, above S. Giovanni a Piro.

Back in the village of S. Giovanni a Piro, the ascent first led through fragrant, herb-covered slopes into the valley incision, which is in shadow in the large picture above, up to the southwest flank. The path slowly ascended through a sparse holm oak forest and over sharp-edged karst rocks. Finally, I followed the trail over very stony grassy slopes with cairns, gaining altitude until I reached the summit ridge with a turn to the east.

There, a statue of a saint greets hikers; formerly freestanding, a shelter has been built for it in recent years from the loose stones lying around everywhere. Already in the last few metres, the magnificent 360-degree panoramic view over the wild Masseta coast, the Gulf of Policastro, the mountainous hinterland with the gorges of Morigerati, the Monte Cervati massif, Monte Gelbison, and northwards to Monte Stella, was captivating.

This hike, like the tour to Baia degli Infreschi, is one of the Cilento’s classic walks and is well described in available hiking guides. Nevertheless, the number of visitors is manageable, so you’re more likely to find yourself alone on the summit.

More pictures in the Cilento Gallery