Earlier this summer we took part in a leisurely hike through Porto Selvaggio in Nardò with tour guide Giacomo De Mitri, a registered Guida Ambientale Escursionistica.
A little less than 20km north of Gallipoli, Porto Selvaggio is one of Puglia’s most beautiful nature reserves. Covering 1100 hectares it is thick with pine forest. It also has a popular gay and nudist beach at Grotta del Cavallo, perhaps one of the most challenging to get to, and certainly the most wild (the nature rather than behaviour of bathers).
Perhaps more than anywhere else, being at one with nature here makes perfect sense.
Our tour took a little under 4 hours, from Masseria Torre Nova down to the main bay at Spiaggia di Porto Selvaggio (a busy and popular beach, despite being all rock and pebble) following the coast up to Torre Uluzzo.
Sensible shoes (trainers) and long trousers to protect legs against the scrub and thorns you will trek through are recommended.
The terrain becomes a little more challenging around Grotta del Cavallo and up to Torre Uluzzo with a steep ascent, climbing around some rocks.
More information on tours with Giacomo De Mitri can be found on his facebook page. Tours are in Italian.