On the wool roads of Molise

First day Campobasso Arrival at Campobasso and welcome aperitif. Accommodation and explanation of the journey. Dinner and visit of the historical center. Dinner at restaurant. Night in Bed and Breakfast. Second day From Taverna del Cortile (Ripalimosani) to Villa di Centocelle (Sant'Elia Pianisi) Transfer by car from the center of Campobasso to Taverna del Cortile. From Taverna del Cortile we follow what remains of Cortile-Centocelle, to plunge into the silence of Molise countryside. Along the Medieval village of Matrice, we visit the Romanesque Church of Santa Maria della Strada and climb to the pass of Campolieto. We still walk in the direction of the hill of Femmina Morta (898 meters above sea level), and to go down, then, to the beautiful and elegant Villa di Centocelle. Transfer by car to Ripabottoni. Packed lunch. Dinner in trattoria. Night in B&B. Technical features of the journey Duration: 5/6 hours. Lenght of the trek: 21.3 km. Difference in height (up): +523 metres. Difference in height (down): -484 metres. Difficulty: medium. Third day From Villa di Centocelle (Sant'Elia a Pianisi) to Cappella di Sant'Elena (San Giuliano di Puglia) Transfer by car from the village of Ripabottoni to Villa di Centocelle. From Villa di Centocelle we descend towards the graft with Regio Tratturo Celano-Foggia. Once reached the main artery, we will cross hilly places with toponyms related to transhumance: Scorciacapra and Taverna Vecchia. Then we go down and climb up the valley of Cigno stream (a tributary of Occhito’s Lake) and we reach the pass between Monte Ferrone (759 meters above sea level) and Colle Cinolfo (732 meters above sea level). From here, we start to see Tavoliere delle Puglie and the promontory of Gargano. We slowly reach the Chapel of Sant'Elena, enjoying the landscape on the surrounding hills, Dauni Mountains (extreme north of Puglia) and the villages of Bonefro and San Giuliano di Puglia. Transfer by car from Tratturo to the farm and / or the village of Bonefro. Picnic. Dinner at farmhouse. Night in farmhouse or in guesthouse and B&B. Technical features of the journey Duration: 4/5 hours. Lenght of the trek: 15.6 km. Difference in height (up): +537 metres. Difference in height (down): -641 metres. Difficulty: moderate. Fourth day From Cappella di Sant'Elena (San Giuliano di Puglia) to Colle Nevera (Rotello) Transfer by car from the farm and / or village of Bonefro towards Tratturo. We descend into the valley of Fortore, between cultivated fields and farms, until crossing the river. Once slightly climbed, we leave Celano-Foggia to take Regio Tratturo Sant'Andrea-Biferno. We will always be walking between cultivated fields and farms or animal husbandry, in silent places and with very little human presence. After crossing Tona stream, we get to Colle Nevera, the final point of this stage. Visit of Rotello and transfer by car to the resting place. Packed lunch. Dinner in osteria. Night in B&B. Technical features of the journey Duration: 4/5 hours. Lenght of the trek: 20.7 km. Difference in height (up): +517 metres. Difference in height (down): -783 metres. Difficulty: moderate. Fifth day From Colle Nevera (Rotello) to Fiume Biferno (Larino) Transfer by car from the place of rest to Tratturo. We go down to the bed of Biferno river, among easy ups and downs on rolling hills suitable for the cultivation of olive trees, fodder and cereals. You may see Adriatic sea. We will meet many small waterways. The stretch where we get to Cigno stream (the largest tributary of the Biferno river) is really suggestive. Once got to the main river of Molise, we can drive to Larino for a rest. Packed lunch. Dinner in osteria. Night in bed and breakfast. Technical features of the journey Duration: 4/5 hours. Lenght of the trek: 19.7 km. Difference in height (up): +468 metres. Difference in height (down): -811 metres. Difficulty: easy. Sixth day From Larino to Termoli or Campobasso Time to say goodbye and go back. After breakfast, transfer by car from Larino to Termoli or Campobasso to take the train or bus.