Lorica

What makes its landscapes iconic is undoubtedly the presence of Lake Arvo, an artificial reservoir whose waters are home to trout, eels and carp, and along whose shores the rare herring gull nests all year round. The wild nature makes these landscapes unique and, in winter, when covered with snow, they are the perfect setting for skiing enthusiasts. Lorica is located at the foot of Mount Botte Donato, which at 1,928 metres is the highest peak on the Sila plateau and can be reached by cable car. From the summit, there are trails for trekking and snowshoeing. For enthusiasts, there are 7.5 kilometres of slopes for downhill skiing (blue, red and black) and cross-country skiing, and for those who prefer boards, there is the possibility of snowboarding. Lovers of sport, hiking and contact with nature in Lorica are spoilt for choice.

From boat trips on Lake Arvo to the Botte Donato ski resort, from the adventure park to the bobsleigh on rails, fishing in the lake, horse riding in the woods, spa facilities, zip line flights and much more. The calm, sparkling waters of the lake, surrounded by green woods, give off positive vibes and invite you to reconnect with nature, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. Lake Arvo was created in the late 1920s to supply the Silano area with hydroelectric power. Today, it is a major tourist attraction and a reference point for water and mountain sports in Calabria. You can choose to stroll along the shore or cross the lake on board an eco-friendly electric boat for a gentle mini-cruise in the countryside (suitable for all ages and also accessible to wheelchair users), pampered by the sounds of the woods and the stories of the tour guide. For the less lazy, there is the bike boat, a floating bike that allows you to navigate Lake Arvo on a special bicycle on the water. Very easy and safe, mounted on two floats, it offers children and adults the chance to cycle on the surface of the lake. For lovers of extreme experiences - or at least those with a high adrenaline rush - there is also the zip line on Lake Arvo. Securely harnessed, you launch yourself from a suspended platform and cross the woods and then the entire surface of the lake, suspended on a 600-metre-long steel cable. This facility is unique in Italy. But there are many other opportunities for outdoor fun in Lorica. With the bobsleigh track, for example, you can travel along rails, through curves and straights, across a beautiful stretch of the Sila Park.

Accommodation facilities, wellness centres, restaurants and typical trattorias make Lorica a welcoming place even for the most demanding tourists. Markets and small shops offer typical products and specialities with unmistakable flavours, such as the PGI Sila Potato, which is excellent simply roasted in the ashes with its skin on and seasoned with salt and a drizzle of oil, fried, with porcini mushrooms picked in Sila or in the traditional Cosenza version of 'mbacchiùse potatoes with pipi (peppers). Another local delicacy is Caciocavallo Silano DPO cheese, which can be enjoyed grilled, in a sandwich with sausage or accompanied by a platter of DPO Calabrian cured meats (pancetta, capocollo, salsiccia and soppressata). Two prized breeds graze semi-wild in these woods, producing highly sought-after, quality meat: the Podolica cattle and the Suino Nero di Calabria (Calabrian Black Pig), both Slow Food Presidia and PAT (Traditional Agri-Food Product) certified.