What You Need to Know: Useful Information
The Matera Way is a route of about 400 km that winds through the heart of southern Italy, connecting UNESCO sites, ancient villages, natural landscapes, and centuries-old traditions. The stages are organized to offer a gradual discovery of different territories, from the sea to the mountains, from sheep tracks to medieval paths. The main route starts in cities such as Bari and ends in Matera, the city of the Sassi and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Depending on the route chosen, it takes several weeks to complete the entire walk: generally between 15 and 25 stages, with each stage taking between 4 and 7 hours on foot. It is also possible to travel the route by bike, but it is important to carefully assess the conditions of the most challenging sections. Walkers can collect stamps in their Credential, a sort of passport that certifies their passage along the stages and entitles them to dedicated services. There are many routes to choose from and you can combine different locations according to your interests, making it an experience that beautifully combines history, culture, and nature.
Getting There
By train
To reach the primary starting hub of the main route by rail, you can take a high-speed Frecciarossa or regional Trenitalia train directly to the Bari Centrale railway station. For the finish line, regional lines run smoothly into the Matera Centrale station, allowing you to easily return to your starting point or connect back to major national rail junctions.
By car
If you choose to drive to the departure point in Bari, the A14 Bologna-Taranto highway provides direct access to the city center, where you can leave your vehicle in a long-term secure parking facility. If you are planning to drive to specific intermediate stages along the 400 km path, major regional roads like the SS96 and SS7 cut through the interior territories to link the trail gateway towns.
By bus
For regional public transit travelers, numerous intercity bus lines operated by companies like MarinoBus and FlixBus run daily routes connecting major cities across Puglia and Basilicata. These networks stop frequently at central transit squares in both Bari and Matera, as well as several smaller medieval villages along the route.
Useful Contacts
- Cammino Materano (Official Route Network & Credential Registry):
- Website: camminomaterano.it
- Bari Turismo – Comune di Bari (Bari Local Tourism Desk):
- Website: turismobari.it
- Matera Welcome – Comune di Matera (Matera Official Visitor Hub):
- Website: materawelcome.it
What to Bring & Pro Tips
- Secure your Credential online before setting off so you can collect stamps along the stages and gain access to dedicated walker services.
- Lace up comfortable, sturdy shoes that are thoroughly broken in to safely handle the length of the stages and the varying difficulty of the terrain.
- Pack technical clothing suitable for shifting weather conditions, keeping in mind that the route organized from the sea to the mountains can bring rapid temperature changes.
- Carry ample water supplies and essential safety equipment in your backpack, and never underestimate the physical demands of walking up to 7 hours a day.
- Research accommodation facilities along the route, plan your specific stops, and consult up-to-date maps well ahead of your departure date.
- Assess the conditions of the most challenging sections very carefully beforehand if you decide to travel the historic route by bike rather than on foot.
The “Hidden Gem”
Once you have finished collecting your trail stamps and walking through the final stone alleyways of the Sassi, take a short trip north to explore the enigmatic castle of Castel del Monte.
Instead of staying entirely focused on the final city grid, head to the nearby western Murgia hills to find this breathtaking 13th-century citadel built by Emperor Frederick II. Standing proudly as a fellow UNESCO World Heritage Site, this unique fortress is famous for its mathematical and astronomical precision, featuring a perfect octagonal design with eight octagonal towers flanking its corners. The structure completely lacks traditional defensive features like moats or drawbridges, sparking centuries of mystery regarding its true purpose as a royal hunting lodge, a spiritual temple, or an ancient center of learning. Walking along the windy hill paths surrounding this colossal stone crown offers a wonderfully majestic and inspiring historical break, rewarding travelers with an incredible panoramic view across the endless olive plains of Puglia.
