Via Appia/Appia Way - Stage 16 - Borgo Le Taverne to Aeclanum (Passo di Mirabella)

This is the sixteenth stage of the Via Appia by foot, from the town of Borgo Le Taverne to the ruins of Aeclanum just outside Passo di Mirabella.

Link to Stage 15: https://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=15823954
Link to Stage 17: https://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=15864589

In general, the track follows the Via Appia Antica loosely as it's usually not possible to hike the original route anymore. In large part because the old road has been upgraded over the centuries and is now a highway in some section or a main provincial road where cars are speeding by you. In other sections, the road is simply gone. Instead, I've searched for nice roads, a little away from any main roads where there is a lot less traffic (or none at all), while trying to stay true to the original road where possible.

In this stage of the Via Appia, it seems that most of the original road has been upgraded and is now the provincial road SS303. So you could follow the SS303 today and end up Passo di Mirabella. However, there are smaller track running parallel to the SS303 which are probably more enjoyable and safer.

During most of this stage, you will be descending, but there are a few small climbs along the way.

The stage starts at Borgo Le Taverne and depending on the time you start, you may have a chance to visit the supermarket or the vending machine as it's (most likely) the last shop you'll see for the next 15 km.

The first 5 km, you will follow the SS303 as there is not much of an alternative, but from the marked waypoint, you'll away from the SS303 for the next 14 km. When leaving the Via Appia, you walk towards Santa Felicita, but before you get to the tiny village, you take a turn towards Valli.

Before your odometer reaches 7 km, you will have a sulfur lake (see waypoint).
The Mefite is an extinct volcano that rises in the Valley of Ansanto where once stood the temple of the Goddess Mefite. It's a 600 meter trip, but worth the detour.

The next 8 km will be smaller, mostly asphalted roads leading towards Gesualdo. Soon after entering the town, you'll pass by a fruit/greengrocer. 400 meter later you pass a few coffee bars on your way to the castle. As you leave town, you'll pass a Tabacci, which will be the last shop until you get to Passo di Mirabella.

You continue to follow small roads until your odometer reaches 18 km and you will be back on the SS303 for 1.7 km. When you leave the Via Appia again, you'll go towards the tiny towns of Santa Caterine and Alvaneta. Well before you get to Mirabella Eclano, you will make a right turn towards Sommito and Passo di Mirabella.

When your odometer reaches 23 km, you will come to the entrance of Villa Orsini, which is a fancy place used for weddings etc. (Room are 80+ euro a night) Usually the gate is open and you can pass through the garden, exiting on the other side. If you're unlucky, the gate closed. In that case, follow the road in the eastern direction until you come to the SS303. Follow this road until you get back on the track.

The track passes by Hotel Aeclanum, which you want to consider to use. If so, check in here as the remaining 1.5 km will take you to the remains on the ancient town of Aeclanum. For more information see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeclanum

Alternatively, there is another hotel, less than 1 km from the track, called "Mirabella", so the indicated Waypoint, which can be found easily from Hotel Aeclanum. Hotel Mirobella is close to the highway.

On AirBnB you can find some cheaper accommodation (from 25 euro), but it's further away from the track in Marabella Eclano, which could add another 2 km to your hike.

Below are some contact details of the mentioned Hotels and B&B locations. I've not tried any of them, so I can't speak towards their quality.

Hotel Aeclanum (2 star)
Phone: +39 0825 449 065
http://www.ristoranteaeclanum.it/
Room price: from 40 euros

Hotel Mirabella (4 star)
Phone +39 0825 449 724
http://www.mirabellahotel.it/
Room price: from 60 euros

Links to AirBnB accommodations:
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/8022573
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/8080831
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/8021628
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/7879556

Enjoy the trail end leave a comment. In particular if you know some interesting way points should be included or an alternate track that could/should be used. Any information is much appreciated.