Departure: Fontana Sambuco (Sambuco Fountain)
Arrival: San Martino d'Agri
Length: 17.8 km
Elevation gain: 420 m
Elevation loss: 1000 m
Walking time: 5h24m
The Rupe trail starts from Fontana Sambuco (1242 m), a junction point on the Sentiero Italia trail, where both the Sentiero Lungo and the Dei Grandi Orizzonti trails from Sarconi meet. From here, instead of following the Sentiero Italia, head north-east towards Murgia d'Andrea on a sunny path that is almost flat until km 1.23, where the ascent begins. Keeping to the right at the crossroads, you can enjoy the extraordinary skyline of the Lucanian Apennines, Raparo, Pollino and Monte Alpi to the south and the hills overlooking the Agri Valley on the opposite side. This landscape is also much appreciated by the Podolica horses and cows that are often encountered along the way. The arrival at Murgia d'Andrea (1418 m) at km 2.43 is breathtakingly beautiful: in absolute silence, the view stretches to infinity and the air is fresh, pure and regenerating. All the reasons for walking in the mountains can be found here. The Raparo cross is on the right and the path continues towards Acqua La Spina, completing the passage across the plateau rich in dog rose. At km 3.22, keeping left at the Monte Raparo junction, you enter a lush beech forest where the slow descent towards San Martino d'Agri begins. The path is wide and offers contact with centuries-old beech trees that make this Raparo forest unique. After passing a reservoir, this is an area rich in water resources, at km 3.9 you arrive at the fountain in a rest area equipped by the Municipality of Spinoso.
From here, continue towards the Croce di Raparo forest refuge (1366 m), where the path becomes paved starting from the square with a view of the structure. The rural road descends and at km 6.20, at the junction with the track coming from Spinoso, turn right towards the Murge di Sant'Oronzo, which can be seen in the distance with their unmistakable pinnacles marking the Agri Valley between San Martino, Gallicchio and Missanello. The path runs alongside the Valle Lunga stream on the slopes of Monte Raparello. At km 9, having descended to 1170 m above sea level, you will find the rural road on the left that leads to the Chapel of the Madonna della Rupe (1260 m), which can be reached by walking just 800 m uphill: the view from this ancient place of worship is magnificent. Once you have descended, continue left in a north-easterly direction and shortly afterwards (km 12.2) you will come to a fork where you should keep left to continue towards the village of San Martino, while the path on the right leads to another of Raparo's iconic sacred sites: the Abbey of Sant'Angelo, founded in the 10th century by Basilian monks on a cave below, characterised by the presence of stalagmites and stalactites, galleries and ritual pools. from here, via a beautiful path through the Serre, past the Racanello stream, you reach the ruins of the Monastery of Sant'Elia di Carbone, one of the most important Basilian centres in southern Italy. The Del Raparello path, on the other hand, continues towards San Martino, crossing a section of the Fieghi Cerreto Forest. At km 15.7, it enters the hamlet of San Pietro and turns right to travel about 200 m on the SP7 and take the path on the left that quickly leads to the centre of San Martino d'Agri (658 m). The beautifully perched village offers unparalleled views of the valley and the Murge from the top of the village, from the balcony of the Sifola palace where the famous Orientalist painter Vincenzo Marinelli was born. Don't miss a visit to the Convent of Sant'Antonio, with its admirable frescoes.
