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Minervino Tower – Bauxite Lake (Cava di Bauxite) loop from Santa Cesarea Terme

Routes

Mountain biking trails

Minervino Tower – Bauxite Lake (Cava di Bauxite) loop from Santa Cesarea Terme

Moderate

4.8

(6)

riders

Minervino Tower – Bauxite Lake (Cava di Bauxite) loop from Santa Cesarea Terme

02:22

36.4km

490m

Mountain biking

Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: June 26, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Parco Naturale Regionale Costa Otranto - Santa Maria di Leuca e Bosco di Tricase

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

4.16 km

Minervino Tower

Highlight • Historical Site

The Minervino Tower is part of a complex of lookout points built by Charles V in the 16th century to prevent attacks by the Saracens. The system guaranteed the possibility of communicating between one tower and another through visual signals, fires at night and smoke during the day, so that the whole coast was alerted as soon as enemy ships were sighted from one of the towers. In this context, the Torre Minervino is fundamental as it manages to cover the sea area around Punta Palascia, the easternmost point of Puglia and Italy. Given the limited space inside the structure, it is believed that the sentries did not stay inside the tower but that they took over for guard duty. The tower was restored around 2010.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

5.74 km

Porto Russo

Highlight • Beach

Beautiful place to find a real natural swimming pool with always fresh, clear water and breathtaking backdrops ... In the summer it will be difficult to find a place for a towel but at unsuspecting times you will certainly enjoy pure peace and nature

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6.27 km

Porto Badisco Canyon and Inlet

Highlight • Canyon

The famous canions of Porto Badisco, now even more suggestive to visit after a flood that "cleaned" the bed of an ancient stream, the river Aeneas ... 🥰

Translated by Google •

Tip by

6.85 km

View of Porto Badisco

Highlight • Viewpoint

👍

Tip by

16.6 km

View of Baia delle Orte

Highlight • Viewpoint

👍

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16.9 km

Former Otranto Bauxite Quarry

Highlight • Natural Monument

Spectacular for the colors and the cycle/pedestrian paths

Translated by Google •

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17.1 km

Bauxite Lake (Cava di Bauxite)

Highlight • Lake

The lake offers a truly suggestive panorama: the green of the water rich in bauxite and minerals contrasts with the intense red of the surrounding land.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

17.1 km

Bauxite Lake, Otranto

Highlight • Lake

The discovery of the deposit and its exploitation date back to 1940. Following its abandonment 30 years later, the numerous water infiltrations due to the underground aquifers have allowed the formation of a small lake with a very particular color.
All this creates a suggestive environment immersed in the typical Mediterranean scrub with shades ranging from emerald green to intense red. Today the area, completely re-naturalized, hosts luxuriant pine forests and paths and is used for agricultural-pastoral activities as well as a destination for walking and outdoor activities.

Tip by

36.4 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

26.9 km

4.85 km

1.83 km

1.75 km

541 m

502 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

31.3 km

2.70 km

1.40 km

962 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (100 m)

Lowest point (0 m)

Weather

Monday 27 July

33°C

24°C

-- %

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Minervino Tower – Bauxite Lake (Cava di Bauxite) loop from Santa Cesarea Terme

Minervino Tower

Porto Russo

Porto Badisco Canyon and Inlet

View of Porto Badisco

View of Baia delle Orte

Former Otranto Bauxite Quarry

Bauxite Lake (Cava di Bauxite)

Bauxite Lake, Otranto

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