The Bussento Caves Oasis is a favorite destination for those who want to spend a day or even just a few hours away from the chaos of the city. The site is located in Morigerati, in the province of Salerno, and is part of the Cilento and Valle di Diano National Park.
The path
In the Oasis, you can follow a path that will immerse you in a world of wonders. It starts from the town center and, after climbing a long staircase, you reach a fork. At this point, the path continues to the left until, after a few minutes, you reach the actual caves. This is a magical place, where, of course, every precaution must be taken to avoid damaging the fauna and flora present, such as not using camera flashes because they could scare away the bats that live inside.
Afterwards, the trail continues along the Bussento River. The landscape before your eyes seems straight out of a fairytale: natural springs and waterfalls, but also holm oaks, mosses, ferns, ash trees, mastic trees, and a wealth of other vegetation. Continuing to the right, you'll reach a picnic area and the stone millThe latter remained intact and has not undergone any particular external modifications, while the millstone inside has been rebuilt. Today, it is used for demonstration purposes.
As for the fauna, the Bussento river It features grass snakes, freshwater crayfish, freshwater shrimp and the luckiest ones have even managed to see a few otters.
The trail then continues until reaching a swimming area for the more adventurous. Remember, the water temperature is around 10°C (50°F) in summer. A great way to escape the heat. Finally, return to the starting point and climb the stairs back up to the starting point. Along the way, you can stop to cool off at two fountains.
How to reach the Bussento Caves
The park can be reached via the A3 motorway, taking the Padula-Buonabitacolo exit. Continue along the Bussentina state road, and you'll reach your destination in fifteen minutes. The staff responsible for the conservation and preservation of the Oasis, in addition to handling the ticket office, also provides historical and naturalistic information at each point of particular interest.
