1st STAGE: Minturno – Spigno Saturnia (28 km)

The town of Minturno, ancient Traetto, once a strategic center at the mouth of the Garigliano River, is the starting point of the Aurunci Trail, an evocative route through the Monti Aurunci Nature Park in southern Lazio.

The first stage leads to the old village of Spigno Saturnia, via a path that first reaches the sea and then climbs the first heights of the Nature Park.
Along the coastal stretch, embracing the historical-naturalistic peculiarities of Gianola Park, it is possible to admire the remains of the ancient Villa of Lucius Mamurra, a wealthy Roman knight who lived in Caesar’s time.

Technical description:
The route is on secondary roads with little traffic, with several dirt sections (Mt. Gianola).
Some care must be taken in the Gianola Park section, especially on the path along the coast, some of which abuts the sea.

Length: 28 km
Height difference in ascent: 715 m
Downhill elevation gain: 491 m
Highest point: 358 m
Lowest point: 4 m
Type of surface: mixed

Technical tips:
The route is almost all on paved roads, with the exception of Gianola Park where it is preferable to have hiking shoes, even low shoes. There may be a lot of mud in this area in the winter time.

Municipality of departure: Minturno
Starting location: upper Minturno
Municipality of arrival: Spigno Saturnia
Place of arrival: Spigno Superiore

All year round. The best times are spring and fall.

Where to park:
Minturno Station or in the square behind Minturno Castle, shortly after the start.

Useful links:
https://www.camminodegliaurunci.org/

The Aurunci Trail is an evocative hike in the heart of a little-known area of southern Lazio, the Aurunci Mountains Natural Park. Its characteristic feature is its proximity to the sea: the view of the gulf ranges from Vesuvius to Ischia to the Pontine Islands and the Circeo promontory.

This path enjoys a great primacy: Mount Petrella, the highest peak in the Aurunci, at 1540 meters (1,500 feet) abutting the Gulf of Gaeta, is the highest and closest mountain to the sea in Europe.

The Camino involves a walking route of about 90 km, to be undertaken in 4 or 5 stages.