Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Parco Nazionale dell'Aspromonte
hiding place used by Calabrian kidnappers in the 1970s and '80s. It's still rumoured to
contain 'ndrangheta strongholds, but as a tourist you're unlikely to encounter any murky
business. The national park, Calabria's second largest, is startlingly dramatic, rising
sharply inland from Reggio. Its highest peak,
Montalto
(1955m), is dominated by a huge
bronze statue of Christ and offers sweeping views across to Sicily.
Subject to frequent mudslides and carved up by torrential rivers, the mountains are non-
etheless awesomely beautiful. Underwater rivers keep the peaks covered in coniferous
forests and ablaze with flowers in spring. It's wonderful walking country and the park has
several colour-coded trails.
Extremes of weather and geography have resulted in some extraordinary villages, such
as
Pentidàttilo
and
Roghudi
, clinging limpetlike to the craggy, rearing rocks and now all but
deserted. It's worth the drive to explore these eagle-nest villages. Another mountain eyrie
with a photogenic ruined castle is
Bova
, perched at 900m above sea level. The drive up
the steep, dizzying road to Bova is not for the faint-hearted, but the views are stupendous.
Maps are scarce. Try the
national park office
( 0965 74 30 60;
www.parcoaspromonte.gov.it
;
Via Aurora; 9am-1pm Mon-Fri, 3-5pm Tue & Thu)
in
Gambarie
, the Aspromonte's main town
and the easiest approach to the park. The roads are good and many activities are organised
from here - you can ski and it's also the place to hire a 4WD; ask around in the town.
It's also possible to approach from the south, but the roads aren't as good. The co-oper-
source of information, and can help arrange walking and donkey treks and place you in
B&Bs throughout the region.
Co-operativa San Leo
( 347 3046799)
based in Bova, also
provides guided tours and accommodation. In Reggio di Calabria, you can book treks and
tours with
Misafumera
(
0965 67 70 21;
www.misafumera.it
;
Via Nazionale 306d; week-long treks
€260-480)
.
Stay on a bergamot farm at
Azienda Agrituristica Il Bergamotto
( 347 6012338; Via Amend-
olea; per person €25)
where Ugo Sergi can also arrange excursions. Hiking trails pass nearby
so it's a good hiking base. The rooms are simple but it's in a lovely rural location, the
views are wonderful and the food is delicious.
