Monte Cocuzzo

Mount Cocuzzo (1387 m)

Loop walking, incline 550 m
Hiking level: moderate
Time: 4,5 hours

During the hiking you will see the entire Gulf of Policastro and the highest peaks of Cilento and Basilicata: Mount Cervati, Mount Sacro, Mount Bulgheria, Mount del Papa and the mountains of the Pollino. Along the karstic ridge you can see beech trees, many kinds of grass, orchids and wonderful rocky formations. If you are lucky you will meet a shepherd with his flock or a cattleman with a podolica herd (the Grey cattle of the steppe, named after the Ukrainian region of Podolia). Since it is quite complicated to locate the right path, we recommend you to turn to a guide.

How to reach the starting point of hiking: from the modern roundabout of Tortorella (in depth) please take the paved lane that climbs between Santa Maria dei Martiri (Our Lady of Martyrs) church- decorated with frescos of the 1500’s- and the cemetery, through an acacia wood. The highest point of the lane divides in two dirt roads: park the car and walk along the dirt road climbing straight near Perali Fountain, a big watering trough, with a panoramic view of the sea. Go straight on and turn left at the fork in the road.
After 20 minutes you arrive at a gap where is placed a statue of the Virgin. Continue straight on and pass through a sloping beech forest. Arriving at the next right curve, leave the road and follow the trail toward left side. You will see a red and white signpost that suggestingto climb leftward : please disregard it and instead go on up to the next signpost and climb leftward onto Mount Cocuzzo ridge (X point).

Continue climbing leftward onto the peak and enjoy a breath-taking panorama!
Close the loop going back to X point : walk along the ridge toward NNW; please pay attention to signposts. A big red dot points the way, climbing down on the left-hand – please don’t go beyond this point or it will become very hard to reach your car!
Although at a first look the trail could appear mixed up with animals’ tracks but, if you look carefully you will find a trail that climbs from the left side.
Climbing down you find yourself again on the big dirt road leading to the gap.

Infos:
Bettina Mueller
Mobile: 338 3078468
Email: b_mueller@libero.it