Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Escher woodcut of this town. Naturalists should also check out the wildlife museum
Centro Il Nibbio
( 0981 3 07 45; Vico II Annunziata 11; admission €4; 10am-1pm & 4-8pm summer,
10am-1pm & 3-6pm winter) in Morano, which explains the Pollino ecosystem.
White-water rafting down the spectacular Lao river is popular in the Calabrian Pollino.
Centro Lao
Action Raft
( 0985 2 14 76;
www.laoraft.com
; Via Lauro 10/12) in Scalea can arrange rafting
trips as well as canyoning, trekking and mountain-biking trips. Ferula Viaggi in Matera runs
mountain-bike excursions and treks into the Pollino. For guided trips in Calabria visit
The park has a number of
agriturismi
(farm stay accommodation). Tranquil
Agriturismo Colloreto
( 347 3236914;
www.colloreto.it
; s/d €28/56) , near Morano Calabro, is in a remote rural setting,
gorgeous amid rolling hills. Rooms are comfortable and old-fashioned with polished wood and flag-
stone floors. Also in Calabria,
Locanda di Alia
( 0981 4 63 70;
www.alia.it
;
Via Letticelle 55; s/d
€90/120; ) in Castrovillari offers bungalow-style accommodation in a lush green garden;
it's famous for an outstanding restaurant, where you can sample delectable local recipes featuring pep-
pers, pork, figs, anise and honey.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Parco Nazionale
della Sila
'La Sila' is a big landscape, where wooded hills create endless rolling views. It's dotted
with small villages and cut through with looping roads that make driving a test of your di-
gestion.
It's divided into three areas covering 130 sq km: the
Sila Grande
, with the highest
mountains; the strongly Albanian
Sila Greca
(to the north); and the
Sila Piccola
(near Catan-
zaro), with vast forested hills.
The highest peaks, covered with tall Corsican pines, reach 2000m - high enough for
thick snow in winter. This makes it a popular skiing destination. In summer the climate is
coolly alpine, spring sees carpets of wildflowers and there's mushroom hunting in au-
tumn. At its peak is the Bosco di Gallopani (Forest of Gallopani). There are several beau-
tiful lakes, the largest of which is
Lago di Cecita o Mucone
near Camigliatello Silano. There
is also plenty of wildlife here, including the light-grey Apennine wolf, a protected species.
During August,
Sila in Festa
takes place, featuring traditional music. Autumn is mush-
room season, when you'll be able to frequent mushroom festivals, including the
Sagra del
Fungo
in Camigliatello Silano.
