G.E.T. activities

OUR GUIDES

Riccardo Carusi was born in Venice 20 March 1955 and spent his first seventeen years exploring the Eastern Alps and travelling widely in Europe in the footsteps of his mountain enthusiast father. He has since acted as guide on hundreds of walks
and over his thirty years of experience has acquired a excellent knowledge of both the natural and cultural riches of southern and central Italy.

In 1973 he began potholing with the C.N.G.E.I. . In 1974 he became a volunteer member of the National Alpine and Spelaeological Rescue Corps. In 1977 he founded the Naturalistic Spelaeological Group and began to take an interest in environmental issues. In 1982 he was one of the 10 promoters of the Bari section of the Italian Alpine Club. In 1992 he was one of the founder members who planned the Trekking and Excursion Group (GET) now one of the most active associations in this sector in the country.

Within the association he organizes:

• various types of walks and excursions throughout the year;
• the planning and realization of the Puglia section of the European Trail 1 which is part of the Italian Walkers Federation;
• weekly walks in the most varied possible countryside with particular attention to the so-called "lesser Italy" or little known
  beauty spots and monuments;
• (and acts as technical director of ) trekking and orienteering courses.

He also organizes thematic walks for primary and secondary schools. He has taught professional training courses for trekking guides, holiday camp entertainers and sports activity coordinators.

Together with the architect Giancarlo Priante in 1995 he collaborated in planning the naturalistic itineraries of the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park. While working on these itineraries he had the idea of creating a hostel in order to provide a base from which the many naturalistic and historic attractions of the Park could be visited. The idea of the Verdazzurra outdoor week holiday, intended as a novel proposal for tour-operators, associations and schools, grew naturally from this idea.

Giancarlo Priante, born in Salerno 11 June 1955, lives and works as an architect in the Vallo di Diano. He is professionally interested in landscape architecture and the restoration of the old buildings of our towns and countryside.

In his twenty years of trekking experience he has become more and more interested in naturalistic and environmental issues. He contributed to a study regarding the setting up an Integrated Cervati Natural Park. He was appointed by the Consortium of the Vallo di Diano Communities to plan the 21 Naturalistic Itineraries of the area. He planned the naturalistic itineraries of the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park for the Vallo di Diano Mountain Community.

He has taught specialized training courses for naturalistic guides , trekking guides, holiday camp entertainers and sports activity coordinators.

In 1994 he founded the Campagna regional section of the GET and regional delegation of the Italian Walkers Federation. Within the association he organizes:

• various types of walks and excursions throughout the year;
• promotional and teaching activities for schools at all levels aimed at increasing knowledge about the territory of the Park in all its aspects;
• the planning and realization of waymarked routes including the Campagna section of the European Trail 1 and the Alta Via del Cervati ( a 6 day route).

He also collaborates with tour operators such as Alpitour and Curcio and specialist trekking magazines on a national level and is available to tour operators, associations and schools to organize visits to the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park.

FULL IMMERSION IN THE CILENTO AND VALLO DI DIANO NATIONAL PARK

Program of guided naturalistic excursions and cultural visits

Excursion: from the caves of Pertosa to Polla
itinerary of naturalistic, geological, industrial archaeological, spelaeological and historical/cultural interest.

Excursion: from S. Arsenio to Monte Carmelo
itinerary of anthropological/cultural and panoramic interest.

Excursion: Monte Motola
high altitude itinerary of botanical/naturalistic interest, possibility of ponytrekking.

Excursion: Cocuzzo delle Puglie
itinerary of naturalistic and panoramic interest.

Excursion: from the Falesie di Monte San Giacomo to Teggiano
itinerary of geological, archaeological and anthropological interest.

Excursion: from Sanza to Madonna del Cervati
itinerary of Christian, historical/cultural and anthropological interest.

Excursion: the Sammaro and Roscigno Vecchio Springs
itinerary of naturalistic, anthropological and historical/cultural interest.

Excursion: La Valle dell’Inferno
itinerary of naturalistic and fluvial interest.

Excursion: Affondatore di Vallinova
itinerary of naturalistic and geological interest.

Excursion: I Gravittoni
itinerary of naturalistic, geological and spelaeological interest.

Excursion: from Ponte Romano di Peglio to Campi di Filano
itinerary of botanical, anthropological and naturalistic interest, possibility of ponytrekking or mountain biking.

Excursion: from Sala Consilina to Madonna del Sito Alto
itinerary of Christian, anthropological, naturalistic and panoramic interest.

Excursion: from Piani di Mandrano to Monte Romito
itinerary of natural beauty and naturalistic interest, possibility of ponytrekking or mountain biking.

Excursion: from Civita to the Charterhouse of San Lorenzo
itinerary of archaeological, historical and anthropological interest.

Excursion: from Montesano to Piani di Campolongo
itinerary of hydrogeological, historical, cultural and anthropological interest.

Excursion: from Lago di Cessuta to the Calore Springs
itinerary of fluvial, geological and naturalistic interest, possibility of ponytrekking or mountain biking.

Excursion: from Forra di Morigerati to Rio Casaletto Spartano
itinerary of fluvial, geological and naturalistic interest.

Information: Gruppo Escursionistico Trekking

CILENTO AND VALLO DI DIANO NATIONAL PARK

From the River Sele to the River Bussento, from the Tyrrhenian coast to the Maddalena Mountains, the Cilento area combines the beauty of the sea with the majesty of the mountains. Its size( the second largest in Italy), its geographic location and its population distribution make it unique amongst the Italian National Parks.

The Park, which covers a large portion of the Province of Salerno, can be subdivided into three different geographical areas. The mountainous hinterland which is part of the southern Appennine range, includes imposing calcareus-dolomitic massifs such as Monte Cervati which, at 1889 m, is the highest peak of the Campagna region, the Alburni massif, Monte Strella, Monte Sacro, and the Cocuzzo delle Puglie. A narrow plain, once a lake floor, separates these mountains from the coastal area. The coastal part of the Park includes some uncontaminated stretches of breath-taking beauty and a number of delightful towns well worth visiting for their position and the wonderful views they offer of the surrounding hillside and coastline ( Palinuro, Marina di Camerota, Scario, Punta Infreschi, Punta Licosa, Punta Tresino).

The stunning geological features which characterize the Park include the bastions of the Alburni mountains and Mount Cervati with their valleys, caves, gorges, ravines, torrents and cliffs. Its rich historical and cultural heritage includes the old town of Teggiano, the caves of Pertosa and Castelcivita, the Grotta delle Ossa, the Charterhouse of San Lorenzo at Padula, Roscigno Vecchia, the Via Popilia and the Mausoleum of Caius Uziano. The Park also has a variety of different habitats and wildlife. Groves of beech, fir, Turkey oak, cork oak, birch, and sweet chestnut grow on the mountain slopes of karst origin, while the rocky coastal areas are home to the attractive Mediterranean scrub vegetation. Lavender grows wild on Mount Cervati and more than 50 species of wild orchid can be admired at Campi di Filano. These diverse habitats support a wealth of wildlife including: the largest otter population in Italy, wolves, martens, badgers, golden eagles, jackdaws and woodpeckers. Occasionally coturnix and sparrow-hawk sightings have been reported.

A holiday in the Park with its naturalistic and cultural riches constantly offers something new to discover or see.

THE GET HOSTEL

The GET hostel, or "rifugio" named after the Alpine mountain shelters, is a modern two storey building lying on the Teggiano plain at the foot of the Cocuzzo delle Puglie with magnificent views also of the Monti della Maddalena and Mount Motola. There are four rooms on the first floor providing accommodation for a total of 26 in bunk beds. The kitchen, dining room and lounge occupy the ground floor. There is a trellised verandah perfect for summer evening meals overlooking a garden. There are two bathrooms with showers and an outdoor shower for use in hot weather. The building faces southwest allowing residents to enjoy the last evening rays of the sun, while the climate is never oppressive in the area. Its position of relative isolation from the town has two advantages: it allows full immersion in the beautiful natural surroundings and provides a pleasant evening stroll to the centre.

ACTIVITIES

A number of different outdoor activities can be pursued in the Park area. The most important are: mountain walking, horse riding, potholing, whitewater canoeing and absailing ?, mountain biking, rafting, free climbing, rock climbing, scuba diving, acquatic trekking and swimming. Many of these activities are possible all year round.

TIME FOR ADVENTURE

four specialist holiday proposals Trekking on Mount Cervati

(mountain walks amongst immense Karst formations, woodlands and perennial springs)

From the Inverno Spring to the foothills of Mount Motola (1700m), across the rocky southern ridge, to the Sanctuary of Mount Vivo. From the Sanctuary to the peak of Mount Cervati, (1898m), across the surreal Gravittoni area. From the peak of Mount Cervati to Ponte dell’Inferno passing the Affondatore di Vallivona and the Bussento Springs.

The Cilento by mountain bike

(5 naturalistic routes through the woods and coast lands of the Cilento)

A mountain bike is one of the best means of locomotion for sightseeing in the Cilento. This holiday proposal consists in 5 itineraries: a passage over the Maddalena Mountains; from the Pertosa caves to the dell’Acqua cave along the Vallone Lontrano; from San Giovanni a Piro in the Camerota peninsula to Lentiscosa along the Vallone di Marcellino gorge; from the Inghiottitoio di Vallivona to the Ponte dell’Inferno by way of the Bussento caves; a trip amongst the windmills of the Montesano Springs area.

Pony trekking in the Vallo di Diano

(a trail through areas of great beauty and naturalistic interest)

The four stages of this trail covers the Maddalena mountains length-wise as well as part of the Alburni and Cervati mountains: from the Abbey of Cadossa to Piani di Mandrano; from Piani di Mandrano to the Pertosa caves; from the Pertosa caves to San Rufo; from San Rufo to the mediaeval town of Teggiano.

Trekking in the most Beautiful Mountains of Ancient Lucania

( Pollino, Cervati, Alburni, Sirino, Alpi, Orsomarso, Monti della Maddalena)

This holiday proposal intends to emphasize the montane character of a territory defined historically as Ancient Lucania which today is split administratively between the Regions of Basilicata, Calabria and Campagna, and is best known for its beautiful coast.

The trail starts at the Convent of Colloreto and takes in the peak of the Pollino (2248m); the peak of Mount Cervati (1898m) and follows the pilgrim’s way to the peak of Mount Alburno (1742m). Then starting from the Castello di Sicignano, it leads to Mount Sirino (1907m) via the Vallone della Nevera, to Orsomarso (1827m), one of the most extensive wildernesses in Italy, to Mount Alpi (1893m) from the valley of Cogliandrino to the crest: Finally it follows the Monti della Maddalena from Serralonga (1503m) to Piani di Mandrano.

He organizes weekly walks in the most varied possible countryside with particular attention to the so-called "lesser Italy" or little known beauty spots and monuments.

He has been the organizer and technical director of many trekking and orienteering courses.

He has acted as guide on hundreds of walks and over his thirty years of experience has acquired a good knowledge of both the natural and cultural riches of southern and central Italy.

The verdazzurra (bluegreen) outdoor week

Relax and enjoy the green mountains, the blue sea and the culture of the Cilento and Vallo di Diano national park.
The Verdazzurra outdoor week offers a unique opportunity to relax and explore this beautiful region of Italy away from the well-trodden tourist routes. Participants discover the geology, flora and fauna of the region in activities that exploit the environment without harming it. Practical activities include mountain trekking, canoeing, a midnight hike, a spelaeological expedition, a Robinson Crusoe camp (two days -one night full immersion in nature on a stretch of coast accessible only by boat), rafting in the Lao gorge and mountain biking. On request more ambitious mountain routes on the rope with breathe-taking views can be organized.

Naturally several stops to relax on the beaches along the beautiful Tyrrhenian coast at Maratea, Scario, Camerota and Palinuro are included in the program! The cultural heritage of the Cilento offers a wealth of interesting places to visit to round off the day: the Charterhouse of San Lorenzo at Padula, one of the most imposing monuments in the South of Italy; the palaeochristian Baptistery of San Giovanni in Fonte, built on a copious natural spring; the hermitage of San Michele alle Grotelle; the Grotto of the Seven Churches at Olevano; the archaeological sites of Paestum and Velia; the ghost town of Laino Castello; the Romito cave drawings.

Not least of the attractions on offer is the chance to try the local Mediterranean cuisine!

Information:

Gruppo Escursionistico Trekking
Via Scanzano, 1-Bari

For information tel. 080/5212747 - 080/5232360 ask for Riccardo.