“And in the midst of centuries-old rocks
And river beds
Crossing the seasons
Return to the sea "
Brunori Sas
My proposals for the routes of trekking
Below is a selection of routes chosen following very specific rules: variety of the territory considered, length of the route to allow everyone to have a walking experience starting from smaller stages and a wealth of reference sources concerning both local associations and paths traced by the CAI.
To discover the area you need the appropriate orientation tools, which is why on this page you will find routes with different characteristics. Always keep an eye on the legend!
1. Calabria Coast to Coast
Source: Greenme website
3
days
A path to cross the territory by touching two provinces. A line of conjunction between the Ionian sea and the Tyrrhenian sea passing through the hinterland
Who to contact: Kalabria Trekking Association
Difficulty and travel times:
the route has numerous height differences that allow you to get from the Ionian Sea to the Tyrrhenian Sea. The total number of km traveled is 55 km, divided into 3 daily stages.
Departure from the Soverato seafront
1st stage : 12 km. From Soverato to Petrizzi on asphalt and dirt road.
2nd stage : 23.5 km. From Petrizzi to Monterosso Calabro. The path is all dirt and more tiring because you reach the highest point of the path, Monte Coppari. At this point it is possible to observe the niviere , holes in which snow was stored to be sold in the form of blocks of ice in the summer months.
3rd stage : 19.1 km. From Monterosso to Pizzo Calabro. The difficulty in this section is medium and the route is mostly downhill, on asphalt and dirt roads. In this section you cross the naturalistic oasis of Maierato, protected by the WWF with numerous species of flora and fauna, among which the gray heron , symbol of the Serre Regional Park, stands out.
Proceeding towards Pizzo Calabro you can see on one side the Gulf of Sant'Eufemia towards the island of Stromboli and on the other the Orsomarso mountains, in the Pollino National Park.
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Recommended periods: from April to June; from September to November.
Regarding the equipment , it is advisable to have water supplies as there are no sources or fountains along the way.
The itinerary is also suitable for families, thanks to the presence of numerous affiliated structures in which to stay at discounted prices by showing the traveler's passport .
2. Path of the brigand
7 days
Retrace steps and history from Aspromonte to Serre
Who to contact: GEA - Aspromonte Excursionists Group
Difficulty and travel times. The route winds for 140 km , it is recommended for those who want to immerse themselves in an experience out of the ordinary. It develops along the ridge between the Aspromonte and the Calabrian Serre. You can decide to travel only part of the route, stopping at the welcome points.
The path was recovered in the 1980s thanks to signage and maintenance work by the GEA. In addition, the group took care in a particular historical moment to recover the path also from a cultural point of view.
The name of the path recalls the presence of the brigands who crossed it in moments of struggle , rebellions and revenge .
The path can be accessed from several points; it can also be experienced by the little ones as a daily educational experience, immersed in the woods.
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Below is a mirror of the stages planned to complete the entire path
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First stop : from Gambarie to Piani di Carmelia. 16 km, accessible in 5/6 h.
From the square of Gambarie you go towards the wood, and cross it up to the Fiumara Salvolavecchia.
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Second stage : from Piani di Carmelia to Zervò. 10 km, walking 4-5 h.
Third stage : from Zervò to Passo del Mercante. This is undoubtedly the most physically tiring stage. The total of the route in one day is 26 km, which can be covered in 8-10 h.
Fourth stage : from Passo del Mercante to Passo della Limina. 12 km, 4-5 h.
Fifth stage : From Passo della Limina to Croce ferrata. 12 km, 4/5 h.
Sixth stage : from Croce ferrata to Mongiana. 14 km, 4/5 h.
Seventh stage, divided into two parts.
A: from Mongiana to Bivolgi / Stilo 24 km 7/8 h.
B : from Mongiana to Serra San Bruno 18 km 6/7 h.
3. Path of English
Source: Site of itineraries and places
7
days
Between Hellenophonic villages and ancient rivers
Who to contact: Naturaliter Associations and Compagnia dei Cammini
The journey was relaunched in 2019 thanks to the collaboration between the two associations mentioned above and retraces the steps taken by the English traveler Edward Lear in the mid-nineteenth century.
The total length of the walk is 110 km.
Difficulty and travel times: the path has different gradients in the various stages of travel.
1st stage : about 18 km. The itinerary begins in the Grecanica area, in Pentedattilo and the stage ends in Bagaladi.
2nd stage : from Bagaladi to Amendolea di Condofuri. About 18 km.
3rd stage: from Amendolea to Bova passing through Gallicianò. About 18 km.
4th stage : from Bova to the viewpoint of Monte Grosso (and back to Bova) with a circular route for a total of 19 km.
5th stage : from Bova to Palizzi, length: 12km.
6th stage : from Palizzi to Pietrapennata, length: about 12 km.
7th stage : from Pietrapennata to Staiti. The last stage is about 12 km long.
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The path is not completely marked, but for the most part it has logos of the path and the identifying white and red stripes. It is advisable to purchase a map at the beginning of the route for greater safety.
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4. Monte Tre Pizzi
1 day
Route from CiminÃ
Who to contact: Visit Aspromonte Association
A ring route to be carried out quietly even independently without the need to be guided by a hiking group.
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The mountain allows a view of the Ionian Sea and is so named for its characteristic three-pointed shape (called lace in dialect ). Climbing to the top you can see the remains of religious buildings of particular historical value.
The path starts from the center of the Borgo di Ciminà , reachable from Locri to from Ardore where it is possible to leave the car.
In front of us the three rock spurs are already clearly visible.
The first part involves going uphill on an asphalted road. Continuing on, you will find a marked mule track on the left CAI 213 . Continue on the road until you cross a hairpin bend with an icon and a crucifix. From here we keep to the path to the right ( La Fimmana , at 200 meters). We are already at the highest altitude and the slope of the path disappears; you enter a grove to reach the top. From here the village of Antonimina is clearly visible.
Returning to the CAI path marked up to the junction with a path from which a descent begins. From here, short uphill and downhill sections alternate and the path becomes more rocky. After passing a hill on the left you arrive at a rocky peak that precedes the Tre Pizzi and then a small path leads to the central spur at a modest height of 710 meters.
For the descent, return to the crossroads with a rest area and CAI sign and take the path on the left (southbound). You go down to the valley along the Mediterranean scrub, continuing with a moderate slope you come to a short stretch where the path is lined with dry stone walls.
Advancing along the path the path becomes stony and you have to be careful to orient yourself. Taking as a reference the direction that proceeds next to a rubber tube, accompanied by a row of double dry stone walls, you arrive at the gate that leads in the area of a farm. Here you can see the CAI signs that we encountered uphill for the Tre Pizzi.
We go down along the service road between typical vegetation of prickly pears and holm oaks and you arrive at the starting point: the square of Ciminà .
The path can be covered in 2 and a half hours.
Path length:
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Recommended periods: the route can be done at any time of the year.
Difficulty: medium / low level of difficulty (Tourists - Hikers)
5. Pietracappa ring and Roghudi geosites
1 day
Excursion to the center of the "valley of the great stones": Pietracappa
The municipalities concerned are Natile and San Luca
Pietracappa is striking both for its size and for the dense vegetation in which it is set: heather, mastic, myrtle, strawberry tree, chestnut, holm oak, mint and oregano bushes.
The imposing monolith occupies about 4 hectares of land and rises to over 100 meters.
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The starting point of this circular trail is the village of Natile .
Arriving at the Hermitages of San Pietro it is possible to see these small cavities dug by the Basilan monks to practice prayer. The shelter of San Pietro is very suggestive because the beds used for rest are visible.
One of the few symbols of "recent" anthropization of the place dates back to the Byzantine period: in the locality of San Giorgio you can visit the ruins of a Byzantine church.
From here you can see the round stone on the left; d ahead though, Walker is the immense Pietracappa.
The geological origin of the rock is polygenic sedimentary , i.e. composed of pebbles of various kinds.
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From here the path takes place in reverse, and allows you to fully see the silhouette of Pietracappa wrapped in vegetation.
Climbing the monolith is not recommended due to the lack of support points but you can approach the monolith by climbing a smaller rock from which enthusiasts can practice birdwatching.
Source: Calabria Greca website
If you are in the area, other interesting geosites can be viewed in the municipality of Roghudi .
It is about the milk boilers and the Rocca del Drago ; both very fascinating for the legends that surround them although their origin remains unknown today: according to some their shape is the work of man, according to others they are natural rocks.
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How to reach them: from Bova Marina go up towards Bova Superiore and passing the village you will find tourist signs.
6. Path of peasant civilization
1 day
Path inside the village of Bova
Designed and built by Saverio Micheletta with the support of the Municipality of Bova
An open-air museum in the Greek village to find ancient peasant tools.
The museum itinerary winds through the alleys of Bova, where the main tools of the peasant tradition have been installed.
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Walking through the village you can see: water mills and animal traction mills, presses and presses, millstones for pressing grapes, drinking troughs for animals, presses used for the extraction of the essence of bergamot.
The meaning of this path is a meeting of the origins, rediscovering the works of fathers, grandparents and mothers who preceded us.
Another way to tell the territory and its products, reconstruct its economy and appreciate them as a lifeblood and recognized excellence.
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7. Path of the Greeks
1 day
In the northern Aspromonte on the border with the Serre
Path traced by CAI - Italian Alpine Club 212 of the Aspromonte National Park
The starting point of this circular path is the village of Mammola , located 9 km from the Ionian Sea, at the gates of the Aspromonte.
From Mammola take the dirt road that runs along the Torbido stream for about 1km. From here you reach the Macarie stream and taking another path you arrive at the Barillaro palace, dating back to the seventeenth century. Continue with a climb during which you can stop and cool off at the Seja fountain . This leads to Passo Sella .
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From this point we proceed towards the Fossi di San Nicodemo plateau from which we can see Monte Kellerano.
Here it is located the Sanctuary of San Nicodemo , a Basilian hermit famous for having brought his spirituality to these lands and patron saint of Mammola. From the churchyard of the sanctuary you enter the basement building which preserves remains of the walls and apses of the ancient monastery
Finally, a natural road leads the walker to the Limina pass .
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The route starts near the former railway
Difficulty and travel times: between 3 and 4 hours
Length of the route: 9.5 km
The path is accessible all year round
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8. Basilan Way - Gerace / Ardore
1 day
Small part of the route that involves Calabria from Rocca Imperiale (Cosentino Ionian) to the Cathedral of Reggio Calabria
The starting point of this stage of the immense Basilano journey is the village of Gerace.
Difficulty and travel times: The route is signposted and accessible to everyone throughout the year
Length of the route: 17 km for a total of 6-8 hours of walking.
On the way you cross the rivers of Gerace and Condojanni.
On the way you cross the Municipality of Antonimina where there is an important thermal plant and the small village of Bombile , famous for the presence of one of the most important places of Marian worship in the province, the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Grotta , of which unfortunately remain only some remains due to a landslide in 2004.
9. From Ferruzzano to the Rudina wood
1 day
From the town on the coast to the dense vegetation of the forest
Who to contact: Kalabria Experience Association, People in Aspromonte, Rudina Association
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The Bosco di Rudina is located in the hilly area of the Ionian side of the province of Reggio Calabria.
The wood is part of the municipality of Ferruzzano , but also includes the municipalities of Caraffa del Bianco and Sant'Agata del Bianco and extends for a total of 177 hectares .
The name "Rudina" derives from the Greek of Calabria and means the place where pomegranates are born.
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The uniqueness of the forest is represented by its being one of the few examples of low-altitude forest formation, at altitudes between 200 and 400 meters above sea level. The wood has a remarkable richness in vegetation: in addition to the more classic holm oak we find the farnetto and other tree species such as the Neapolitan maple, the trilobed maple, the ossifillo ash or the black hornbeam. The presence of this thick vegetation is possible thanks to the orientation of the territory to the north which gives the area a cool and humid climate compared to the rest of the surrounding area.
Osmunda regalis L. is among the rare and endangered species of flora, known for very few mountain stations in the region.
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Of naturalistic interest are the millstones of the Rudina wood, also known as the wine wood due to their presence. It is about 20 rock millstones used for the pressing of wine ; real winemaking tanks built by digging in the sandstone. Their presence reveals that the place was inhabited by many civilizations of the past. The road that crosses the Rudina wood connected the sea to the mountain.
1 day
From the new site to the old village
The ruins of Precacore are perched on the hill of Palecastro.
To divide the old and the new inhabited center there is a fiumara, the fiumara di Santa Caterina .
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The route is a loop starting from Samos . The length of the route is 3 / 4h and the difficulty is low (beginner / Tourist level). It can be done all year round.
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It starts from the center of Samo where some signs indicate the way to reach Precacore. A downhill road leads to the Santa Caterina stream, a tributary of the La Verde river .
Crossing the recently built Santa Caterina bridge, you can admire the ancient stone bridge on the left. Cross it and climb up to the source of the Rocca. From here begins the path to reach the ruins of Precacore.
The path continues at times with steps, at times on the rock. Here are located some bas-reliefs depicting the scenes of the Via Crucis and donated by the Samese families. At the last point the climb becomes steeper and the view of the ruins of the village from the peak becomes more and more suggestive.
The ruins in recent years have been recovered, reconstructing them almost completely and are the subject of study by the University of Calabria for a project to enhance the larger area.
From here you go up to the church of S. Giovanni, Patron Saint of Samo who is celebrated on August 29 with a procession from the village. The church preserves the remains of a fresco depicting a Black Madonna. Continuing along a path immersed in the Mediterranean scrub towards the locality Giulia. First you reach the Molia plateau, where you can see olive groves, and continue towards the panoramic points: the rock spike called " Prachi " and " Timpa di don Brazzito "; from here you can admire the gorges of the La Verde river .
From the highest point, return to the path already traveled until you enter a mule track that leads to Palecastro . From here, take the driveway that descends towards the Santa Caterina valley and - after passing it - continue along the paved road that climbs up to the center of Samo.
1 day
Excursion to involve the little ones
The fairy forest is an opportunity to enjoy an excursion with the little ones and live an experience with your children without having to give up a small path in Aspromonte.
The route involves the municipality of Santo Stefano d'Aspromonte, of which Gambarie is a fraction.
The signage is not the best but there are some wooden signs and the path is very simple so getting lost is practically impossible.
It is a circular route that - arriving by car - starts from the Fontana di tre aie , a place where you can leave your private vehicle.
Facing the fountain, take the first path on the left slightly uphill and once you have traveled about 50 meters and turned left, the path will lead into the woods.
The recommended periods to capture all its colors are those of the autumn months, but it is also possible to follow it in spring and summer.
After about a km of walking through the woods, we head towards a water source. Paying attention to the Vallescura waterfall signpost, take another small path on the left. After a few tens of meters you arrive at the waterfall, protected on the sides by the rock. Your children will be grateful to you!
In the photo the village of Roghudi
1 day
The routes used by the Shepherds of Aspromonte
From Africo Vecchio to Roghudi
The route starts from Samo - via largo dei Medici. From here you start walking towards Precacore. After the Santa Caterina bridge, continue keeping to the right until you reach Molia . From here continue left on a natural road, pass Passo Muleto arriving at the crossroads with the path coming from Calamacia .
The route continues descending towards Puntone Arcà and fiumara La Verde, after which one proceeds to Casalinovo.
UPDATING
New Experiences
Un gruppo di ragazzi che promuove l’affermarsi di un’etica turistica che rispetti ed esalti le specificitaÌ€ delle singole localitaÌ€, costruendo attorno ad esse itinerari ed attivitaÌ€ in linea col concetto di wild life.
La formazione del team è eterogenea e multidisciplinare.
Pierluigi Ranieri e Alessandro Madia: valorizzazione dei sistemi turistico culturali; Marzia De Maria: Storia dell'arte e beni culturali; Daniele Trimboli: Lingue e culture moderne.
Gli itinerari sono concentrati soprattutto nella provincia di Crotone e Cosenza, ma presto inizieranno a proporre esperienze e percorsi nella provincia di Reggio Calabria.
L'idea del progetto è far conoscere luoghi pressoché inesplorati mantenendo fede al territorio e alle sue caratteristiche. L'intento è studiare e applicare nuovi modelli turistici nella nostra regione.
Do you move independently?
Try using trail apps.
I suggest you Wikilock and Komoot
Did you arrive without the equipment?
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You can refuel here!
Ardore Marina -
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Via Ugo Foscolo n 53