Morigerati

At Morigerati the river Bussento, that disappeared underground further up the mountain, reappears 4km downstream inside a dank and deep cave. The walk, that takes you to the bottom of the cool valley, is well sign posted with bridges across the riverbed and lush vegetation. You will pass a small ancient flour mill that once made use of a source of water that gushes out of the rock face.

Drive to Morigerati and follow sign for the WWF Grotte del Bussento.

One of our favourite walks when the children were small was a trip to the cave of Morigerati. You pass the unused water mill where water still seems to gush from the side of the house, and follow the river bed over wooden bridges until you reach the cave where the river Bussento miraculously appears from the inside the cave and rushes noisily past. As it is a WWF oasis it is a well sign posted and easy walk with children – not too long or arduous.

Nearby, just beyond the village of Casaletto Spartano, are the waterfalls of the Capelli di Venere, a beautifully evocative name for these whispy waterfalls covered in fern which cool the air. They are a bit near the road so be carful if you visit during august as this has become a fairly popular destination, but there is a walk that takes you above the waterfall which will undoubtedly take you away from others.

Further up river, the river Bussento, travelling south towards the sea, disappears into the ground at Caselle in Pittari (to then gush out of the cave furhter down at Morigerati). You can also walk the steep descent from Caselle in Pittari to a cave known as ‘Le Rupe’ – bring a torch – where the Bussento river falls into the inghiottitoio or sink hole – This is steeper but less well-known and awe inspiring but scary near the inghiottitoio.

And of course this is all just to keep you busy for the day until you can walk into the village of  Morigerati for your true purpose of the trip: a delicious meal at the Castello restaurant. We love ending an invigorating walk with a good meal in the Castello. They offer the most abundant array of delicious vegetable antipasti which come out in small taster plates, and a selection of pizzas with different toppings all of which is to share amongst the group.