Parks Cycle Route: Discover the most authentic Calabria by bike

In Calabria, the sea is poetry written on the horizon. But for those who want to go further, to lose themselves in the deep breath of the mountains, among dense forests, enchanting lakes, and suspended landscapes, there's another way to explore it: hop on your bike and follow the slow, silent path of the Ciclovia dei Parchi .

It's a journey that winds for 545 kilometers along the Calabrian Apennines and passes through the region's great green lungs: the Pollino National Park , the Sila National Park, the Serre Regional Natural Park , and the Aspromonte Park. An invisible yet precise line that connects peaks, lakes, villages, and silence, leading cyclists into the wildest and most authentic heart of the region.

The route, pure charm

The route begins in Laino Borgo , among the Lao Gorges, and ends on the Reggio Calabria waterfront, overlooking the Strait of Messina. It's a route designed for the most avid cyclists, but also for those who want to challenge themselves and enjoy, stage after stage, an immersive adventure amidst nature and culture. The roads are secondary, with little traffic, alternating with trails and cycle paths, taking in ever-changing landscapes and a constant up-and-down that requires strong legs and, above all, curious eyes.

The overall elevation gain, over 10,000 meters of ascent and descent, is the very breath of the Apennines. The highest point is in the Sila National Park , at 1,565 meters, near Lake Arvo. The lowest, at zero meters, is the arrival point: Reggio, where the bicycle meets the sea. The cycle path is accessible from spring to autumn , while caution is advised in winter, especially due to possible snowfall.

Clear and consistent signage accompanies travelers along the entire route, ensuring safety and orientation. At each stop, identification signs and notices remind travelers of the importance of respecting the environment and cyclists.

The stages: four parks, twelve days of wonder

The cycle path is divided into 12 stages , some easy and accessible, others more technical and challenging, especially due to the typical ruggedness of the Apennines. But they all offer the same thrill: that of crossing an ancient and generous land, still far from the beaten track of mass tourism.

As mentioned, in the Pollino National Park , the first stage begins in Laino Borgo, a Lombard village with a fortress that harks back to the past. The road leads to Morano Calabro , a stone nativity scene perched on a hill. You pass through Mormanno , home of the famous bocconotti (pastry delicacies filled with almonds and chocolate), and Castrovillari , a lively town in the heart of the park. The landscapes gradually become wilder, Bosnian pines stand out against the sky, and among the Arbëreshë villages of Orsomarso, you pedal in an atmosphere reminiscent of frontiers and resistance. The stage ends near the Lago di Tarsia reserve, where silence becomes the soundtrack.

Entering the Sila National Park , the landscape changes. The route begins in Bisignano , amidst high-altitude vineyards and the intense scents of earth and wind. It passes through the Cava di Melis , one of the highest in Europe, until reaching the Fallistro Giants Nature Reserve , a cathedral of centuries-old larch pines protected by the Italian National Trust (FAI). The road then runs alongside Lake Ampollino , a clear and tranquil body of water, up to the crest of Mount Tiriolo: from here, on clear days, the gaze can encompass both seas and even the Aeolian Islands , suspended between sky and waves.

In the Serre Natural Park , the starting point is the Arbëreshë village of Caraffa , and the route winds through nature and memory. You reach Monterosso , home to the Serre Calabresi Museum, and pass the Oasis of Lake Angitola , a reserve where biodiversity reigns supreme. Among silver firs and dense forests, you arrive in Mongiana , a symbolic site of Bourbon industrial history thanks to the historic arms factory commissioned by Ferdinand IV of Bourbon.

Finally, the Aspromonte . Here the route becomes more panoramic and spectacular, through rugged and magnetic landscapes. The final stages lead to the Mundu and Galasia waterfalls , the mysterious Pietra Cappa monoliths, the Gambarie Biodiversity Observatory, and the Serra di Garibaldi , where the general was wounded by the Piedmontese. It is a journey through memory and beauty that culminates on the Falcomatà seafront in Reggio Calabria, with the Strait of Messina in front of you and your heart filled with everything that the deepest Calabria has to offer.

Cycle paths: when the route becomes an experience

It's not just the landscape that makes the Calabria Parks Cycle Route extraordinary. What also makes it unique is the care with which it is being transformed into an increasingly advanced and accessible cycling infrastructure. In a complex territory like the Apennine Mountains, the ability to pedal on stretches entirely dedicated to bicycles is a small luxury, a concrete sign of the Calabria Region's commitment to promoting sustainable mobility and slow tourism that respects the environment and enhances local resources.

Along the main route, some stages have already been equipped with exclusive cycle paths , safe and scenic routes where cyclists can truly feel the road as part of the journey. One of the most significant segments is between Morano Calabro and Castrovillari, in the heart of the Pollino National Park: where the Calabria-Lucania railway once ran, today you pedal along a route that preserves the soul of the journey and changes its pace. You pass abandoned stations, skirt fields and woods, and hear the voice of the mountains accompanying every pedal stroke. The route, just over six kilometers long, is currently under development and will soon connect to Mormanno, drawing a continuous line between railway history and contemporary cycling.

Another fascinating stretch runs along Lake Ampollino, on stage 6 : between the calm waters and the gentle contours of the Sila, the cycle path winds for a kilometer and a half near Trepidò , for a moment of quiet and contemplation. A few pedal strokes and you find yourself immersed in a world of reflections on the water, the scent of resin, and profound silence.

Further on, on the same stage, the route between Villaggio Racise and Villaggio Mancuso offers five kilometers of Sila forests, where nature reigns supreme, and the cycle path follows its rhythm, passing majestic fir trees, bright clearings, and glimpses that seem like paintings.

In the Serre Park, a six-kilometer bike path leads travelers around Lake Angitola, a variant of the ninth stage. This area is of extraordinary environmental value, recognized as a protected oasis and a stopover for numerous migratory species.

But the project's ambition extends beyond the mountainous boundaries. The desire to create connections between the mountains and the sea has led to the creation of new green arteries, such as the Val di Neto cycle and pedestrian path , a trail that extends for approximately 38 kilometers, descending from the slopes of the Sila to the Ionian Sea. It connects six municipalities (Caccuri, Belvedere di Spinello, Santa Severina, Rocca di Neto, Scandale, and Strongoli) and runs along an ancient mule track, now renovated and equipped with signage, rest areas, and information points.

This route showcases rural and authentic Calabria, characterized by rolling hills, tidy vineyards, farmhouses, sacred places, and archaeological sites. It's also easily accessible from the main cycle path: just turn off from Trepidò towards Cotronei, covering about twenty-four kilometers through hills and valleys that gradually lead to the sea.

The cycle path received Second Prize at the 2024 Italian Cycling Tourism Oscar, an award that recognizes respect for the environment, the quality of the route, and the value of the experience offered.