How many routes are there?

The Routes of the Cammino Materano that, as of summer 2024, are officially open—fully or partially—are three:

the Via Peuceta from Bari to Matera: 170 km over 7 stages
the Via Ellenica from Alberobello to Matera: 170 km over 8 stages
the Via Lucana from Tricarico to Matera: 114 km over 6 stages

The other routes, shown in gray on the map, have been planned but are not yet active. The work required to open a pilgrimage route is long and complex, and goes well beyond simply installing trail markers.

Note: The Via Ellenica originally started in Brindisi, but the first stretch to Alberobello was later excluded and labeled as a “variant” (click here if you’re interested in the reasons).

Which routes are covered on this website

I hiked the Via Peuceta, the Via Ellenica, and the Via Lucana. The first two in spring, one after the other, with the route Bari > Matera > Alberobello: a total of 340 km and 15 stages combined, which I completed in 16 days as I stopped for two nights in Matera to dedicate an entire day to visiting this incredible city and its surroundings (and, by the way: it’s worth it!).

I then hiked 5 stages of the Via Lucana, from Matera to Grassano, that is in the opposite direction from the “canonical” route, just as with the Matera > Alberobello stretch. Not only can you do this, but it’s a choice I recommend to those who want (and are able) to allow themselves at least two weeks of travel instead of 7/8 days.

With one week available

For those who have no more than seven or eight days available, I recommend the Via Peuceta for a simple logistical reason: since it starts from Bari, you can reach it fairly easily (it has an airport plus a railway) and therefore no further transfers are needed, you’ll be on site right away. For those arriving by train (particularly from the north, Piedmont, Lombardy and Liguria) I recommend looking at night trains that depart in the evening and have you wake up at dawn directly in the city of San Nicola, ready to start walking. Even if you’ve spent the night in a bunk and may not have enjoyed the best sleep of your life, rest assured because the first stage to Bitetto is definitely light.

If instead you arrive in the capital the day before, you’ll have the opportunity to take a nice tour of Old Bari, enjoy local specialties, visit the Cathedral and Swabian Castle at your leisure. And if you want to get right into the spirit of pilgrimage in Bari there’s a good hostel very close to the center.

If instead you prefer to start from Matera, allow a couple of hours to transfer via public transport from Bari. You can use the bus (SITA Sud company) or the train, although the latter option today is not suggested by Google Maps as an alternative. Check the website of the Ferrovie Appulo Lucane for schedules and tickets.

Better the Peuceta, Ellenica or Lucana?

There is no better one than the other, and there are reasons that can make you prefer one over the other.

To help those who were undecided, here are the differences I personally noticed between the three:

The Via Peuceta is a bit cheaper: there are more hostels compared to the others (including a couple of donation-based options, i.e., free offerings) and B&Bs have prices on average a bit more economical; so if you care about budget, accommodations will be on average less expensive.
The Via Peuceta is a bit more lively: you’ll have a bit more chance (but never certainty) of meeting other pilgrims like you, especially if you start on the weekend. So unless you’re looking for solitude, this is the best choice to make some new acquaintances and share some walking or social time. If, on the other hand, walking in solitude is your only need, then the Ellenica and the Lucana are preferable, especially if traveled in reverse.
The Via Peuceta is slightly more challenging: they are all fairly easy routes and the number of km is substantially the same but the Via Ellenica has one more stage, so on average the km/day are lower, even if slightly; moreover the Peuceta has the last two stages a bit more “tough” (30 km and little water).
The Via Ellenica is more scenically interesting: it offers scenic wonders (including Alberobello) that are not found along the Peuceta or the Lucana, which can seem a bit more monotonous.
The Via Lucana is in some ways more interesting because it passes through very small and characteristic villages, definitely off the beaten track. If you’re looking for more authentic Lucania, this is the choice.
The Via Lucana is the easiest using the average length of the stages as a metric (less than 20 km each). There are, however, some ups and downs, and in some places I would advise against it in case of heavy rain due to the clay bottom that would make some sloping and not very marked sections difficult
The Via Lucana is more difficult to reach/leave: first you have to get to Matera by bus, and at the end of the journey you have to get back to Matera by bus and then to Bari; keep that in mind!

Wrapping up

I recommend the Via Ellenica if:

you’re comfortable staying mainly in B&Bs
you absolutely want to see the ravines (the large canyons typical of the region)
you’re not looking for other hikers’ company
you have at least a couple more days: considering that the Via Ellenica stages are 8 and that it takes a few hours by public transport to reach the starting point from Bari or Brindisi, it becomes difficult to start the journey on the same day you arrive, especially if you’re coming from far away.

I recommend the Via Peuceta if:

you’re looking for more of a “pilgrim” atmosphere with hostels and shared experiences
you have a tighter budget
you’re short on time

I recommend the Via Lucana if:

you’re looking for a more “rural” and solitary atmosphere, without tourism
you’re not interested in the ravines but prefer open views, perched villages, and plateaus
you’re willing to sleep mainly in B&Bs (being at least a couple can help offset costs)
you’re willing to coordinate your logistics with local public transport both to reach Matera and to return at the end of the last stage (or vice versa, depending on your direction of travel)

Have a good choice!