Murgia Park Sunset Walk

Murgia Park Sunset Walk, 2 hours 30 minutes, rated 4.7 across 43 traveller reviews.

Overview

This two and a half hour guided walk run by Passi nei Sassi takes you across the canyon from Matera into Murgia Materana Park, with transport in an air-conditioned vehicle to break up the walking. The route passes cave dwellings, rock-hewn churches and canyon paths, and a guide explains the history, plants and rural life of the area as you go. The tour is built around sunset views over the Sassi di Matera.

The payoff is the view. Once the light fades, the Sassi districts across the canyon light up, and several travellers described that scene as the best part of the evening. Even on evenings with cloud cover that hides the sunset itself, reviewers said the illuminated town across the gorge made the trip worthwhile.

The walk suits most people, according to the listing, and groups are capped at 17 travellers. It is not a deep hike through the whole park, more a selection of churches, caves and viewpoints with commentary in between.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at the officeThe tour starts and ends at the Passi nei Sassi central office on Via Don Giovanni Minzoni 13 in Matera.
2. Drive into the parkAn air-conditioned vehicle carries the group from the meeting point into Murgia Materana Park, so the walking is broken up with short transfers.
3. Cave churches and dwellingsThe walk visits rock-hewn churches and cave dwellings, with the guide covering prehistoric settlement, old rural life and features such as historic refrigeration methods mentioned by past participants.
4. Flora along the trailAlong the canyon paths the guide points out native plants of the area, an element reviewers highlighted.
5. Sunset viewpoint over the SassiThe group takes a hillside position facing Matera to watch the sunset, then sees the Sassi light up across the canyon as night falls.
6. Return to the meeting pointThe vehicle brings the group back to Via Don Giovanni Minzoni 13, where the tour ends.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points worth knowing before booking this walk.

• Pace and terrain. One reviewer described the bus trips as breaking up the walking, so the route comes in shorter stretches rather than one long hike. Most travellers can participate, according to the listing, though the tour is not wheelchair accessible.
• Bring water. Bottled water and snacks are not included, so bring your own. One French reviewer specifically recommended the late-afternoon timing as a way to avoid the heat of midday.
• Weather matters. The experience requires good weather, and cloudy evenings can hide the sunset. Several reviewers who missed the sunset said the night lights of the Sassi across the canyon more than made up for it.
• Group size. The tour runs with a maximum of 17 travellers. The tour also needs a minimum number of participants to go ahead.
• Cameras. Bring a camera. Reviewers mention great photo opportunities of the Sassi from the opposite side of the canyon, both at sunset and once the town is lit at night.
• Content mix. Expect a blend of history, flora and fauna rather than a long trek. One reviewer felt there was not much walking overall and that it leaned toward church visits, with the final hour spent at the viewpoint.

Common issues. The tour needs a minimum number of travellers to run and can be cancelled for poor weather, with a different date or a full refund offered in those cases. One reviewer reported that their departure ran only in Italian despite the listing stating English was available, and said the operator handled the complaint poorly; languages and guides vary, so confirm before booking if this matters. The route is not wheelchair accessible, and water and snacks cost extra.

Common Questions