Triangle of Wonders – Salento Ring from Gallipoli

In Italy, there’s a strip of land that juts out into the Mediterranean Sea and stretches towards Greece, Turkey and the Middle East. This area is called Salento, or 'Lu Salentu' in dialect. It’s the most extreme part of Puglia, the southern tip of Lecce province and the heel of the Italian peninsula.

Cycling in this land is a journey through villages of white houses overlooking a turquoise sea; dry-stone walls bordering rows of centuries-old olive trees; and vertiginous cliffs jutting into the blue. You’ll pass through history to discover the civilisations of Messapians, Greeks, Byzantines, Turks, Lombards and Swabians, with a leap to the time of the Second World War; each historical phase has left an indelible and characteristic mark on the area.

This three-day, 150-kilometre (93 mi) itinerary embraces the southernmost lands of the Salento region, passing through the main towns of Gallipoli, Santa Maria di Leuca and Otranto. The route is mostly flat so it’s suitable for any type of cyclist.

Your point of departure and return is Gallipoli, which you can reach by train from Lecce. You'll continue south along the Ionian coast, dotted with long beaches of white sand and crystal-clear water, such as the Spiaggia di Pali beach. You'll then reach the southernmost tip of Puglia, in the town of Santa Maria di Leuca. Here, the blue waters of the Ionian and Adriatic seas touch and mingle.

From Santa Maria di Leuca, you'll cycle north towards Otranto, where the white beaches of the Ionian coast give way to steep cliffs overlooking the Adriatic Sea. This stretch of coast is dotted with caves and deep inlets, as the seawater pushes inland to form extraordinary bays such as Castro Marina.

In Otranto, you'll be greeted by the imposing bulk of the Norman castle that dominates the citadel. You'll be surprised by its cosmopolitan profile with Byzantine domes and Christian bell towers. You'll be captivated by the chromatic contrast of the white walls of the houses with the turquoise waters of the bay of the same name.

From Otranto, the itinerary leaves the coast to enter the Salento hinterland. Here, the landscape becomes barren, and you'll cycle along rows of olive trees, dry stone walls, and dolmens from prehistoric times; humans have worked these lands for thousands of years.

You can take this route all year round, thanks to the mild climate that characterises this part of Italy. However, the best times are definitely spring and autumn, away from the scorching heat of summer and before the winter rainy period.

I've divided the stages so that they end in the most interesting places, where it's easy to find bike-friendly accommodation and places to eat. In fact, this is also a journey into flavours: pittule (fried dough balls), pucce (tomato and olive rolls), frisedde (Pugliese hard biscuits) and pasticciotto (cream-filled pastries) are just some of the delicacies I recommend you don't miss.

Keep in mind that the wind can be strong here, as the local saying suggests: 'Salento tierra lu mare lu sole lu jentu' (Salento land of the sea, the sun, and the wind). Sometimes you might find yourself pedalling against an invisible enemy, but don't get disheartened: take your time and enjoy the scenery!