From Castelmezzano to Aliano
The start is in Castelmezzano. It is famous for its Volo dell'Angelo (Flight of the Angel), where you can experience the adrenalin rush of a zip line across to Pietrapertosa, a kilometre and a half to be completed in just over a minute at speeds of up to 120 km/h.
Continuing along 8 km of mixed track, Pietrapertosa will reveal itself in all its charm. Built on the bare rock that seems to guard it like a most precious gem, this stronghold-like village winds its way up to an ancient Saracen castle.
Between ancient rites and lunar landscapes
The journey proceeds towards Accettura, whose name is linked above all to “Il Maggio di Accettura”, one of the oldest tree rituals in Basilicata. Take the steep ascent to the Montepiano forest and after the pass, descend to Cirigliano along the old road, avoiding the tunnel. The ancient stone village, located between the Castle and the main Church, preserves archaeological traces from Roman times.
After a descent along the Sauro valley, you arrive at the foot of Aliano where a final, challenging climb awaits you, surrounded by the scenic wonder of the Calanchi, spectacular cracks in the ground that cut through the mountainside.
The village, perching on clay rock, was also the location of the exile of Carlo Levi, the writer from Turin who became so immersed in this lunar and evocative landscape that he used it in his famous “Christ Stopped at Eboli”.
