Gravine Discovery Weeks: eventi gratuiti alla Scoperta dei Canyon Pugliesi

If you dream of exploring a still hidden and authentic Puglia, **Gravine Discovery Weeks** is the opportunity you've been waiting for! **Three immersive weekends** in contact with the wonderful glimpses of the ravines await you. We have organized a program full of excursions and engaging activities that combine sport, taste, and tradition, to offer you a unique experience in a destination still little known but extraordinarily fascinating.

Gravine Discovery Weeks is a project supported by the **Region of Puglia and** **Pugliapromozione-AreT**, as part of the tourism promotion actions outlined in the “Puglia365” Strategic Tourism Plan. Each weekend is designed to let you experience the Land of the Ravines authentically, through a mix of adventure, culture, and gastronomic traditions.

Below are all the scheduled activities:

**The Treasure Hunter Weekend (November 16-17)**

**– Saturday, November 16, 09:00 – 14:00**
*Musical Tour in the Gravina of Ginosa*
We will begin our adventure in Ginosa, exploring its ravine and its extraordinary natural and archaeological heritage. During the route – along with the storytelling of the places by an environmental hiking guide and a tour guide – participants, led by the musician from Murgia, **Pino Basile**, will collect natural materials that will be transformed into musical instruments to create, after the activity, a natural orchestra of music-theater, immersed in the sounds of nature. The day will conclude with an outdoor picnic to savor the local delicacies.
*Duration of activity: 4.5 hours
Max participants: 25*

**– Sunday, November 17, 09:00 – 17:00**
*Eco-Geocaching in Laterza, Horseback Riding or Ceramics Experience*
On this second day, we will be in Laterza where, along the trails that border the Gravina of Laterza, participants can engage in eco-Geocaching, a treasure hunt in the ravine of Laterza where participants use GPS devices to find "caches" hidden in various locations. A very engaging treasure hunt in which you can deeply connect with the territory, discovering in a playful way many curiosities about these unique habitats.
*Duration of activity: 3 hours
Max participants: 40*

On the same day, after a short lunch break organized by the team, an unforgettable walk will be offered on a stretch of the Hellenic Way of the Matera Path (from Laterza towards Ginosa), accompanied by the instructors and trainers of the association **Matthalia Horsemanship**, who after a brief workshop on the man-animal relationship (horse, mule, and donkey) will lead us to discover the territory of San Pellegrino (pine forest, woods, and ravine) with **horses, donkeys, and mules** in tow.

Alternatively, to the afternoon nature walk, you can participate in a **ceramic workshop** in the historic center of Laterza, discovering the local artisanal traditions.
*Duration of activity: 2 hours
Max participants: 20*

**Hike, Bike and Taste Weekend (November 23-24)**

**– Saturday, November 23, 09:00 – 14:00**
*Crispiano, Hike and Lunch at Masseria Pilano*
We will start this weekend with a unique experience discovering nature and taste, immersed in the heart of the pre-Murgia of Martina. We will be in the natural oasis of the Pilano Woods, between Martina Franca and Crispiano, discovering the ancient oak woods, crossed by several mule tracks along the valley floors and small karstic incisions, locally called lame. Within the Pilano woods, there lies a large karst cavity frequented since the Upper Paleolithic: the Pilano cave. Part of the excursion will be dedicated to caving, with the Speleo Statte Group, offering a unique underground exploration experience. Visitors can explore the Gravina of Pilano, a deep natural canyon that marks the beginning of the splendid Itria Valley, offering a breathtaking and uncontaminated landscape. At the top of the Pilano woods, we will enjoy a splendid panoramic view of the Gulf of Taranto from the statue of the Christ Redeemer, built in 1904 on the occasion of the Jubilee of 1900 indited by Pope Leo XIII. On our return, we will stop at Masseria Pilano, a historic livestock farm today managed by the tenth generation of the family. Surrounded by centuries-old trulli and pastures where fine Podolic cattle are raised, the farm offers an immersion into the local agricultural history and tradition. During the visit, you will have the opportunity to discover the typical crops of the area, including the yellow-red tomato, an extraordinary product that is also a Slow Food Presidia, symbolizing local biodiversity. This tomato, along with the presence of ancient trulli, represents the agricultural charm of Masseria Pilano, named after the ancient "piles" used for water collection. The taste experience will be made even more special thanks to a young and talented local chef who will prepare a special lunch by La Cuccagna Giro di Vite based on yellow-red tomato, a Slow Food Presidia product, reinterpreted with creativity and respect for tradition in dishes that will enhance the authentic flavors of the area.

The day includes, therefore: Visit of Masseria Pilano, 5-star Agritourism South Italy; Cave experience with a visit to the Pilano cave by the Speleo Group of Statte, Tasting lunch at the Masseria organized by La Cuccagna – Giro di Vite, km zero cuisine highlighting the yellow-red tomato presidium Slow Food and worthy of two Gamberi from the Gambero Rosso Guide and Slow Food Snail.
*Duration of activity: 4.5 hours
Max participants: 40
A ticket fee: €50.00 per person is required for lunch.*

**– Sunday, November 24, 09:00 – 14:00**
*Crispiano, Bike Tour and Tasting at Masseria Le Caselle*
The planned Bike Tour will be a unique experience that combines nature, history, and local traditions, along a route winding through the territory of Crispiano and Martina Franca, with a special stop at the splendid Masseria Le Caselle. It unfolds along paths immersed in greenery, among centuries-old olive trees, Mediterranean scrub, and the majestic natural canyons of the Gravine, characteristic of this area. Masseria Le Caselle, located in a panoramic position, will offer us an unforgettable stop: an ancient rural structure, typical of these lands, surrounded by the untouched beauty of the Apulian landscape. During the visit, it will be possible to discover the history of Masseria and the agricultural traditions that still animate it today. Moreover, participants will be able to taste typical local km 0 products, such as cheeses, extra virgin olive oil, and rustic cuisine specialties. The Bike Tour is designed to be accessible to everyone. The bike tour will be carried out on e-bikes, it is of medium difficulty, so not suitable for beginners. It unfolds in a 23 km circular route on asphalted ground with a 310 m elevation gain. A pedal journey that combines sport, discovery, and taste, in the heart of the most authentic Puglia.
*Duration of activity: 4.5 hours
Max participants: 20*

**Vertigo Weekend (November 30 – December 1)**

**– Saturday, November 30, 09:00 – 14:00**
*Laterza, Climbing and Nature Excursion*
This day will be dedicated to rock climbing, with an initial phase introducing participants to this sport, practicing in body weight on mobile walls (known as boulders) where preparatory indications for rock climbing will be provided. The activities will be led by qualified instructors. The second phase, however, will see the brave participants tackle progression on rock, equipped with harnesses and helmets. Experienced alpine guides will accompany this second phase. Simultaneously, it will be possible to participate in a nature excursion (two excursion rounds of 2 hours each are planned) along the edge of the ravine, led by an Environmental Hiking Guide associated with Aigae and an expert herbalist. During the activity, it will be possible to enjoy the most spectacular and panoramic views of the Gravina of Laterza. The activities will conclude with a tasting of typical products.
*Duration of activity: 4.5 hours
Max participants: 20 for climbing – 40 for nature excursion.*

**– Sunday, December 1, 09:00 – 17:00**
*Castellaneta: Excursions, Visits, and Tasting*
The last scheduled day will be another adventure allowing you to discover one of the most picturesque landscapes of the Grave Park. Accompanied by environmental hiking guides, participants will descend to the bottom of the Gravina to reach Lake Sant'Elia, traversing nature capable of delivering great emotions. On returning from the excursion, participants will move to the Jazzo Maldarizzi Educational Forest, a forest of Aleppo pines towering over the Montecamplo Gravina where, at the end of the visit, a tasting will be offered based on De.Co branded products from the Municipality of Laterza, a tasting of extra virgin oils curated by an authorized ONAV taster, and a wine tasting by a professional master sommelier. Upon returning to Castellaneta, a visit to Underground Castellaneta is planned to discover ancient tunnels, caves, and hypogea that constitute a true underground city.
*Duration of activity:
Excursion to Lake Sant'Elia: 2.5 hours
Visit to the Educational Forest and Tasting: 3 hours
Visit to Underground Castellaneta: 1.5 hours*
*Max participants: 40
A tasting ticket fee: €20.00 per person is required.*

Bookings and Participation

Participation in all activities is free with mandatory reservation, as places are limited.

Please review the Regulations on explovery.it which include advice and information for the activities.

To request registration, complete and submit the Google Form: https://forms.gle/7DoBCZ6TU3dZLNWC6

The experiences of Gravine Discovery Weeks are designed to ensure accessibility for all. The activities include the availability of LIS (Italian Sign Language) interpreters to facilitate the participation of deaf people, Joëlette means, a wheelchair suitable for traversing difficult terrain during excursions, and special bicycles for transporting people with motor disabilities. These services are available upon request to allow everyone to fully enjoy some of the scheduled experiences. For this reason, we reserve the right to assess feasibility, considering potential difficulties related to weather and the itineraries themselves.

Each event is free, however, for the dates of November 23 and December 1, it is necessary to purchase a mandatory ticket for lunch (November 23) or for tasting (December 1) to access the free activities of those days, as the food and wine part represents an integral part of the experience. For activities with a fee (November 23 and December 1), a 50% advance payment is required to confirm participation.

In the event of being unable to participate after booking, it is necessary to communicate the cancellation at least 3 days before the event to ensure that those who can no longer attend leave room for those on the waiting list.

The times indicated are indicative, while other information (e.g., meeting point) will be provided after registration confirmation.

For info and tasting/lunch tickets:
Tel. +393394591656
E-mail: contact@explovery.it

Don't miss the opportunity to live and discover the Land of the Ravines!
Web: explovery.it/gravine-discov...