This was the second of five explorations of the largely undeveloped Mingardo valley between Alfano and Centola, carried out in October 2017, after much deliberation, whether there would be any difficulties, even with family. Official information about this relation was not available. It finally turned out to be very simple.

The little town of Roccagloriosa is located almost on top of a mountain in between Monte Bulgheria, the Mingardo river valley and behind this the mountains of inner Cilento. The trail starts on the maybe central square. It has two bars but little possibilities for shopping. The new village centre with more facilities is further down. On the very top of the hill there are ruins of a medieval fortress. This place is worth visiting because of its 360 degree view onto the beautiful lanscape and Golfo di Policastro. From there you go down into the old village with its very narrow streets and stairways keeping in west direction. Getting out of the populated place on the other side you overlook the lower Mingardo valley seeing the railway station as the destination of this trail. The only possibility to continue is a stairway down to the cemetery. On the left side of the cemetery a dirt lane starts further down, becoming a path which ends on a little asphalt road. This has to be followed for a while. A new road to the left leading to the emergency facilities of the nearby railway tunnel can probably be used as a shortcut but then you miss the most beautiful part of this trail.

Shortly before the road turns right and late back to Roccagloriosa you take a dirt lane to the left leading quickly to the riverbanks. This place is very nice for a picknick. The lane turns left and after a few hundred metres through grassland with scattered bushes it ends at the riverbed. In summer and fall when the river has little water the area is probably dry and can be walked easily for about 200 m. The the dirt lane starts again between trees and leads along the river through meadows and heath.

If the river carries too much water it is possible to bypass the 200 m in the riverbed by going on cattle paths through the woods. But those might by muddy and uncomfortable. There I would recommend to wear rubber boots or bring additional trekking sandals. Whenever I decided to bypass the Mingardo I later stepped into the water to get my pants cleaned. This and the loneliness of the area (normally no persons around to ask for directions) are the reasons to give it an „escursionistico“. In case of dry riverbed „turistico“ would be appropriate.

Underpassing a larger railway viaduct you reach the railway station in order to leave by train. Other possibilities are to continue either to the village of Celle di Bulgheria or further along the river to San Severino di Centola with another train station and places to stay. The very visible „Ostello del Mingardo“ next to the station Celle Bulgheria – Roccagloriosa still seems to be out of operation.