Places
Hike·Moderate·Scenic·Popular
Gravina della Madonna della Scala
Puglia
Unusually, this gravina cuts right through the middle of Massafra, and a long stairway descends past a sanctuary carved into the rock, the Santuario della Madonna della Scala, down to the ravine floor where prehistoric and medieval cave dwellings riddle the cliffs. It's an evocative mix of natural canyon and centuries of human habitation.
Duration
2.5 hours
Distance
6 km
Elevation
+150 m
Best season
March – November
Highlights
- Ravine running through the town centre
- Rock-cut sanctuary church partway down
- Extensive prehistoric and medieval cave dwellings
With your dog
Stepped path down into the ravine; dogs on leash.
