Flying on a cable between two villages of the Lucanian Dolomites
In the heart of Basilicata, in the Gallipoli Cognato and Piccole Dolomiti Lucane Regional Park, two of the most spectacular villages in southern Italy, Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa, cling to the slopes of the Dolomiti Lucane, sandstone peaks with jagged, sharp shapes that recall, on a smaller scale, the Dolomites of the Alps. Between these two villages, since 2007, one of the most extraordinary experiences in Italy has been possible: the Volo dell'Angelo, the Flight of the Angel. Suspended from a steel cable about 1.5 kilometres long, lying face down in a harness, like a bird or an angel, you fly from one village to the other over the valley of the Caperrino stream, at a height of up to 400 metres above the ground and at a speed that can exceed 100 km/h, with breathtaking views of the rock pinnacles, the woods and the stone villages.
There are two lines: one from Castelmezzano to Pietrapertosa and one from Pietrapertosa back to Castelmezzano, so the experience can be done in both directions. The flight lasts about a minute and a half, and is accessible to adults and young people over a certain weight and height, with no particular physical preparation, under the supervision of expert staff. To reach the departure stations, you walk along paths from the villages. The two villages are also connected by the "Percorso delle Sette Pietre", a footpath of about two kilometres, with sculptures and installations inspired by a novel about the witches and magic of these mountains. The Volo dell'Angelo is open from spring to autumn.
Tip: book your flight in advance, especially at weekends; do it in both directions for the different views.
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