Day 1 – SENTIERO DEL TRACCIOLINO
Arrival in Palmi. Accommodation in reserved rooms in Hotel/BB. Welcome cocktail. Handing out of information material. In the afternoon, meet with the guide and departure for Sentiero del Tracciolino, of which a short stretch will be made at sunset. This is one of the most scenic routes in the region, overlooking Costa Viola. The trail, suspended between the Tyrrhenian Sea and Aspromonte National Park, winds its way through the intense colours and scents of the Mediterranean scrub, offering a spectacular panorama: on the horizon the Aeolian Islands, to the south the silhouette of Mount Etna, beyond the Strait of Messina and to the north the Gioia Tauro plain. Along the path you can admire romantic coves and small beaches set among the rocks. Option of an aperitif and wine tasting on arrival. Return to the hotel/BB. Dinner and overnight stay.
2nd day – GAMBARIE D’ASPROMONTE
Breakfast in Hotel/BB. Meet with the guide and departure for Gambarie, one of the main centres of Aspromonte National Park, characterised by a luxuriant vegetation of woods and streams with clear waters. The day will continue with a visit to Cippo di Garibaldi (Garibaldi memorial stone), a place of historical interest, where the redshirts (volunteers who followed Garibaldi during his campaigns) were stopped in the second expedition of 1862 and Garibaldi himself was wounded. We will reach the centuries-old pine forest, the scene of the battle, through an easy uphill path.
Stop for a packed lunch or picnic with typical products. We will continue by bus to Gambarie and reach its main square on foot, through a small stretch of a few kilometres on Sentiero del Brigante. Accommodation in hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3 – MAESANO WATERFALLS
Breakfast in Hotel/BB. Departure for excursion to Maesano Waterfalls, one of the most impressive and most visited places of Aspromonte National Park, known among shepherds and mountain dwellers as “U Schicciu da spana”. These waterfalls are made up of five successive jumps, although only the three jumps of Menta Stream, which joins the flow of Amendolea River further down, are visible. This stretch of the river marks the orographic boundary between Roccaforte del Greco and Roghudi. The hike starts at 1,350 m above sea level, from the parking area near Menta stream. The path is well marked and evident up to the “Belvedere”, a viewpoint over the waterfalls, at 1,295 m above sea level. The first part of the path runs along the stream and leads directly to the belvedere, from where it is possible to admire the three jumps of the waterfall in all their impressiveness.
Stop for a packed lunch or picnic with typical products.
Accommodation in B&B in Bova. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4 – IN THE LAND OF THE GREEKS OF CALABRIA, FROM BOVA TO AMENDOLEA
Breakfast. A day dedicated to the discovery of Grecanica area, a cultural area on the Ionian side of Aspromonte where, in some villages, the ancient Greek of Calabria is still spoken. Guided tour of Bova (Chòra tu Vua), one of The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy (Borghi più Belli d’Italia) and Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club. Typical lunch.
In the afternoon, departure for the excursion from Bova to Amendolea, in one of the privileged places to admire the homonymous river, the most famous one of Aspromonte. The route will cross the agro-pastoral territory at the foot of Bova, among the perfumed and characteristic Mediterranean scrub vegetation.
Accommodation in a farmhouse in Amendolea. Dinner and overnight stay.
5° giorno – NELLA TERRA DEI GRECI DI CALABRIA, DA AMENDOLEA A GALLICIANO’
Breakfast at the farmhouse. Meet with the guide for the second day on the discovery of Grecanica area. Starting from Amendolea, through a suggestive and challenging trekking with a unique landscape, wide valleys alternating with olive and citrus groves, we will reach Gallicianò, the most “Greek” village in Calabria, which, thanks to its position, has kept intact its cultural and musical traditions. Visit to the village and its Museum of Rural Civilisation. Return on foot to Amendolea with several crossings and fords in the river of the same name. Dinner and overnight stay.
*THIS ITINERARY IS NOT RECOMMENDED IN WARMER MONTHS AND IS SUITABLE FOR EXPERIENCED HIKERS.
Day 6 – ECOLANDIA – RETURN
Breakfast in Hotel/BB. The morning is dedicated to a visit to Ecolandia, a play and technology park just a short distance from Reggio Calabria. Ecolandia park was built in one of the Umbertine Forts located along the coasts of Calabria and Sicily to guard and control the Strait of Messina. From here it is possible to admire the marvellous panorama and visit the 4 areas of the park, inspired by natural elements and Greek mythology, with equipped theme trails and attractions for all ages. Lunch in a restaurant. Return to headquarters.