This trip was inspired by a vacation at the coast of the Golfo di Policastro in Villammare where a fascinating mountain panaroma was present all the time but no information how to go there. That’s why this trip was an exploration, aiming to directly reach the summit of Monte Olivella and than continue to Monte Serralunga. I started from Sapri railway station on May 23, 2016 in the early morning. After passing through the oldes part of Sapri crossing the railway lind, a commercial area and a dry riverbed, there is a track going directly underneath Monte Olivella in quite bare Landscape so not too much vegetation would be in the way. Directly after the comunal limits between Sapri and Tortorella a red and white waymark was found, probably belonging to the sentiero 907. This is supposed to directly going to the destination but in lower altitude though forest with probably no views. Also the map providing the 907 way has not proven to be reliable in the past.

So I left the path directly before it was entering a scrub area. At first I found the direct climb blocked by a thin but impenetrable strip of macchia mediterranea. But to the left side into the forest the way was open to either go down to the marked path or go up and find a possibility to bypass the scrub area. The latter was successful but extremely steep. Back to the bare southwest side of Monte Olivella orientation was easy to reach the summit with spectacular panorama. A little behind the summit on a kind of plateau I found a guidepost of a connection Torraca – Monte Olivella (which I might try in the future) but continued straight along the ridge. Although being a kind of „altipiano“ there was a lot of up and down making orientation a bit difficult. Forest and grassland alternated. A rock face, which is reached from the side in the ascent, gives another great view over the Gulf of Policastro.

I went along Monte Serralunga not completely reaching the summit. When descending in northern direction it first seemed useful to stay in highest possible altitude. You overlook most of southern Cilento with the highest mountain of the region, Monte Cervati, in the background. Later, when having Monte Cocuzzo right in front, it’s possible to climb down the western hillside to again meet what is supposed to be the 907 trail to Valico della Colla where there are several options to continue.