Departure: Sarconi
Arrival: Castelsaraceno
Length: 21.7 km
Elevation gain: 870 m
Elevation loss: 570 m
Travel time: 6h22m
The route starts from the centre of Sarconi, a lively village with a well-preserved historic centre, known for its magnificent beans but also for the historic Cavour Aqueduct and the ruins of the ancient mills located between the Maglia River and the Sciaura Stream. When you reach the war memorial on the SP7 Agri-Sinni road, after about 100 metres, turn right onto Via Petrocelli and then left onto Via Sant'Antonio, which you follow for about 1 kilometre until you reach the junction with Via Mele, where you continue straight on along the Strada Comunale del Cimitero. At 1.63 km, turn left towards Contrada Campodemma, where you take the Tratturo Santuario Madonna di Montauro, located to the right of the farm you encounter on the descent. The path continues along the plain, skirting the cultivated fields, crosses the Maglia River at the Varco Laino spring and, at km 2.8, reaches the paved Strada Comunale, which you follow, turning right for about 300 m until you reach the new entrance to the Tratturo per Montauro, which is clearly marked on the left. With Moliterno Castle clearly visible behind you, the trail begins to climb, crossing several clearings. After passing Timpa di Nunzio and reaching the junction with the paved road coming from Tempone La Corte, at km 4.13, turn left and follow the signs for the sanctuary, which you will reach after about 1 km of very slight ascent. The small church is located on a plateau overlooking the surrounding landscape, at 839 m above sea level, where it is very pleasant to stop for a break.
Returning to the crossroads below the Sanctuary, continue south along the municipal road. At km 7, you will come across a farm that produces and offers tastings of excellent cheeses. At the crossroads shortly after, continue on the left, skirting the fence where goats graze, enjoying a spectacular view of Raparo. The path is sunny and open and soon reveals several peaks, including Sirino. At km 9.67, you will cross the Sentiero Italia trail, which you will take in the direction of Fontana del Sambuco, which you will reach after an ascent at km 11.5, but not before admiring a vast and deep panorama of the Agri Valley and the mountains that overlook it. Here, continue keeping to the right with Raparo dominating the eastern skyline and Monte Alpi to the south. Stay on the Sentiero Italia trail, continuing downhill, passing and at times skirting the Racanello stream. At km 13.6, you will find a farm, which you pass by tackling a short steep descent that slopes down to the Fiumicello stream, whose banks are easily accessible for a refreshing foot bath. From km 17, the trail is paved and climbs back up towards Castelsaraceno. 2.5 km further on, it runs alongside the village cemetery on the slopes of Monte Castel Veglio, where the winding descent begins, overlooking the gorges of the Racanello stream, over which the Castelsaraceno Tibetan bridge stands boldly. at 586 metres long, it is currently the longest single-span Tibetan bridge in the world, as well as connecting the two parks, Appennino Lucano and Pollino. Once you have completed the descent, you will soon reach the charming centre of Castelsaraceno. From here, the Sentiero Italia trail continues south towards the Pollino National Park: once you reach Latronico, it crosses the Sinni River, passes through San Severino Lucano and from there reaches the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Pollino, completing the journey of great horizons.
