E-1 in Campania
 Middle Stretch
Irpinia (Avellino - Senerchia) and  Monte Picentino Park


Starting Point

Avellino (335 m.a.s.l.)

End Point

Senerchia (594 m a.s.l.)

Lenght

196 Km approx

Which cities and towns does the E-path pass through

Avellino, Serino, Casone Masucci, Montella, Bagnoli, Lago Laceno, Caposele, Calabritto, Senerchia

Route

The Campania section from Avellino to Senerchia (province boundary), starts from the capital of Irpinia and climbs Mount Faliesi, where the Lombards, in 677 A.D., dedicated a grotto just below the summit to St. Michael, to thank him for the victory over the local population. From here we descend into the valley of the Sabato river, a hinge between the mountainous structure of the Partenio and that of the Picentini Mountains.

Then, it goes up the course of the Sabato river, with a detour on the plains of Monte Terminio, to its springs, at the foot of Monte Accellica, which is certainly the most impervious and uncontaminated mountain structure in the entire Picentini Mountains Park. We bypass Colla Finestra and descend on the slope of the sources of the Calore river, which we leave to head for the Rajamagra mountain range, on which the ski slopes of the Laceno Lake winter resort, in the municipality of Bagnoli Irpino, are developed.

From here, the E1 continues up the Aria della Preda and Mount Calvello, from where it descends to the Sele River Valley, to Caposele, where the Apulian Aqueduct (inaugurated in the early 1900s) starts. The last two stages Caposele-Calabritto and Calabritto-Senerchia and the Zagarone link road are developed by climbing Mount Pollaro, Mount Altillo and Mount Boschetiello of the Polveracchio mountain group, also in the Monti Picentini Park.

From Caposele there is an important link road to the Sanctuary - Monastery of Goleto, built in 1133 by St. William of Vercelli.

After the WWF Oasis of Senerchia, Valle della Caccia, the Irpinian section of the E1 ends.

Organisation(s) of Reference


Publications

Irpinia Trekking maps. IGM 1:25000

Maps

Irpinia Trekking maps. IGM 1:25000

Marrking system

Crossing other E-paths

None.

Practical


Medical Problems (NOT Emergency):  phone    116 117

Emergency (any): phone 112

Accomodation and Food


Travel

The Avellino-Senerchia section of the E1 in Campania crosses the Sabato river valley, passes through the Calore river valley and ends in the Sele river valley, passing through karst plateaus, peaks from which the sea can be admired, and medieval villages with history, traditions, and special typical and culinary products.

The starting and finishing points can be reached by public transport 

Gear

The first two stages run in a hilly environment and connect the two Parks of Partenio and Monti Picentini. All the others develop in a mountainous environment, climbing up to the high plateaus and peaks, then descending to the villages, almost always at altitudes between 400 and 600 metres above sea level.

Several stages follow watercourses and pass by beautiful waterfalls. The various plateaus are home to herds of podolica cows and horses in the wild, as well as flocks of sheep and goats.

All of the stage points coincide with historic villages with a discrete reception or tourist areas with suitable facilities for the hiker.

References