Pisciotta does you good. There are two complete sports you can practise. Have a refreshing swim and short walks along the shore going past the spring water of "Acquabianca" choosing the itinerary of the coastal towers.
Itinerary of the Coastal Towers
Departure: Marina di Pisciotta
Arrival : Ascea
Distance: About 3.5 km
Difficulty: Medium
Duration: 3 hours
It’s necessary to wear a sun hat and swimsuit when you want to trek along the shore. This itinerary may be insidious for your ankles but at the end the most daring will have their reward: spring waters, small coves and eroded rocks that will give shadow to the visitor. As always, our guide is Francesco D’Amato.
The Coastal Towers
This itinerary is a splendid walk along the shore between Marina di Pisciotta and Marina di Ascea.
The proposal is for those who are ready to enjoy a small adventure with its beauty and difficulty. The departure is from the fishing hamlet of Marina di Pisciotta, “Acquabianca” (clear or white waters), where you will find the ruins of an ancient tower surmounting a small mound. Close to it there is a freshwater spring where you can restore yourself.
The walk along the shore is characterized by the pebbles called in vernacular “agliaredde”, smoothened by the sea, and it will be a good exercise for your ankles walking along the shore.
Opposite the beauty of the sea you find this varying coast, sometimes degrading and dense with olive groves, sometimes inaccessible and with admirable undulated rocks the sea shaped with its restless motion.
There is an incredible geological variety which might be of great interest for laymen but most of all for expert visitors. When the weather is fine, it will be inevitable to do some of the way swimming looking through the crystal clear water down on the beautiful floor.
The first part of the walk finishes at the tower “Fiumicello” where you will cross a torrent and can observe the structure of this tower which is in a better state of preservation than the first one.
The origin of these towers is the 16th century and they were used as forts against the attacks of the Saracens.
Now the scene changes completely. The once wide and pebbly beach was nearly completely eroded by the sea (therefore, sometimes you have to swim), but then there are a lot of roadsteads, caves and coves of incomparable beauty.
Going ahead for about 1 km, you finally arrive at the last part of the itinerary. We are now at the “cale”, i.e. a number of promontories and coves. The first can be crossed through narrow shafts whereas the latters are real natural diving boards. Crossing the largest tunnel you arrive at Marina di Ascea where you may have a last swim. There is a spectacular view. On the promontory you find the old telegraph station, now restored and in front of you a small island called by Strabone “Isacìa” in his “Geografia”. Ascea should derive from that ancient name.
Looking farther in northern direction you can make out the excavations of ancient Velia, a Greek town and homeland of Parmenide and Zeno.
Returning to Pisciotta you have the choice either walking if you feel still fit or going by train. The station is not far away.