La Molpa, Spiaggia-Grotta dei Porci, Spiaggia Marinella, Capo Palinuro Circuit

Premise

This route was traveled on January 19, 2025, and all subsequent observations and considerations can fully apply only to that day.

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From the parking area in Isca delle Donne to La Molpa, and descent to the Beach and the Grotta dei Porci

From the parking lot, head south taking the correct small road where, well past the entrance, there is a large sign indicating the "LA MOLPA NATURE TRAIL".

Then, following the red marks and the fenced path, you arrive at the first viewpoint above the flat hill area overlooking east onto the very long Spiaggia del Mingardo or Cala del Cefalo Beach towards Marina di Camerota.

At the end, we did not follow the main path in order to stay on a nice more external path that ends at another viewpoint: then, via easy off-trail, we rejoined the official route.

From the viewpoint on the east side of the hill, we crossed towards the few remaining ruins of the Castle of Molpa to continue to the west viewpoint with a great view over the Lambro river mouth area and the Cape Palinuro promontory – today there was a lot of mud on the ground due to heavy rains the previous day, and our GPS track does not always follow the official marked path because we sought less muddy passages.

From the west side viewpoint, the nature trail returns north forming a "triangle closure" because the direct outlook on the Lambro river mouth is on a very steep slope, with a segment between 35 and 40 degrees according to slope maps.

Since the grass here was already dry, we decided to descend directly down the steep slope and take the shortest path to the Beach and the Grotta dei Porci.

While descending, some intermittent walking sections are visible, probably cow trails but not recently used.

Gradually and ... accompanying our "four-legged kid" 🐕 we descended to the area used as parking opposite a couple of crossing points (with stretched guide cable) over the Lambro not active in this season with dedicated staff.

From the riverbank, take a small path (with a help cord in a short passage) that climbs over the coast just above the Torre della Molpa, then descends with a first nice partial view of Spiaggia dei Porci.

Continue along the beach passing in front of a spectacular cave and under the climbing cliff: today there were two tents with climbers preparing.

The entrance to the beautiful Grotta dei Porci is after a rocky protrusion that reduces the beach depth: today with high tide ... you had to wait for the right wave to pass beyond the protrusion without wetting your shoes.

After the entrance, the Grotta dei Porci splits into two branches, the longer on the right: a headlamp is needed to enjoy it – in the right branch there is a lowered roof you need to duck under.

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From Spiaggia dei Porci to Spiaggia della Marinella

From Spiaggia dei Porci, return to the Lambro riverbank near the mouth and then, to reach the fixed pedestrian bridge, you must head back inland on the dirt road for about 1.2 km.

Turn left and in just over 100 meters you reach the bridge.

After the bridge, you face an excavated hillside side, and the continuing path initially runs on the other side of the excavation's top edge.

Therefore, after the bridge, turn left to take a typical pedestrian gate of a fence after which a CAI-type marking begins (there is no number and also on the maps I have it is not marked as a CAI path).

However, the marking actually starts more than 50 meters after the gate and even the first meters of the path are not very obvious.

Once found, the path climbs without problems with the panorama opening behind onto La Molpa and the final plateau of the Lambro course.

After passing a second pedestrian gate (also with CAI-type signs) you enter a wide and comfortable path like a mule track, then onto a series of paved roads that shortly lead to the final staircase descent to Spiaggia della Marinella.

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Capo Palinuro Circuit from Spiaggia della Marinella

It is unnecessary to describe the Capo Palinuro Circuit in detail because it is well known and has many variants and additions that can be more or less interesting depending on preferences.

For our preferences ... all are interesting❗ – it depends only on how much time is available.

In the first part of the circuit along small roads, we went to the crossroads facing the path that descends north directly to the Port of Palinuro.

From there head south to the Fortino di Monte d’Oro and then to the Torre di Calafetente: truly incredible views from above on Calafetente can be had just before and just after the tower.

Then we went to another viewpoint under the "modern tower" of the Air Force indicated as a meteorological observation station.

From this tower, we headed, always westward, to the Capo Palinuro Lighthouse, also inside a military area with various antennas.

Just before the lighthouse, exit to the right from the small road to take a CAI-marked track that completes the promontory circuit.

Following this beautiful path, we made short detours to Punta Iacco and Punta della Quaglia.

Before arriving at the Port of Palinuro, we visited the fort indicated as "Batteria del Prodese".

Finally, for the return to the parking lot, it is better to go back via the fixed pedestrian bridge over the Lambro River, and you must decide which route to take.

We chose not to cross the hilly area behind Palinuro and to descend subsequently by paths towards the Lambro.

We decided to cross the urban area of Palinuro to the roundabout where SR 447 and SP 364 meet: from this roundabout, take the mostly dirt road running alongside the right bank of the Lambro River, and by this road you reach the target bridge.