Calabria Parks Cycle Route: 545 km of wonder

Are you a cycling enthusiast? Imagine crossing the green heart of Calabria on your trusty two wheels, travelling along the extraordinary Parks Cycle Route.

A unique experience, in close contact with nature, which, along 545 km of authentic wonder, will allow you to discover the soul of the region with the best air in Europe.

Ready to go? Let's find out more about the Calabria Parks Cycle Route!

An unprecedented route for nature and sports lovers, crossing the splendour of 3 National Parks and 1 Regional Park, as well as numerous Reserves and Protected Areas along the way, each with its own unique flora and fauna. The Parks Cycle Route crosses Calabria longitudinally along the Apennine ridge, covering an area of approximately 350,000 hectares, with a landscape that combines the biodiversity of the territory and local endemic species with breathtaking views overlooking the sea, not to mention the charm of the ancient villages still nestled in the mountains. Cycling through Aspromonte, Sila, Pollino and Serre along the Calabria Parks Cycle Route is an authentic experience of discovery, marked by the slow pace of the beauty that surrounds you.

Set your cycling itinerary according to your interests, stopping off at places of historical and artistic interest, places of worship and slow living, or discovering good food and wine, stopping wherever your heart desires. Treat yourself to an authentic adventure to tell: discover for yourself the added value that has allowed the Calabria Parks Cycle Route to win the 2021 Italian Cycling Tourism Oscar with the following motivation:

A project to promote sustainable tourism and slow mobility, focused on four wonderful and unspoilt protected areas and on villages and towns that embody the Calabrian spirit. The Parks Cycle Route is also a valid example of integrated communication, thanks to its excellent organisation and ability to present the route and the territory through its multilingual website and social media channels.

The Parks Cycle Route starts in Laino Borgo, in the Pollino National Park in the province of Cosenza, and ends in Reggio Calabria, covering a total distance of 545 km. The total elevation gain is 10,240 m, while the elevation loss is 10,510 m. The maximum altitude reached is 1,565 m at km 208, in the Sila National Park, near Lake Arvo, while the lowest point is at sea level. The Parks Cycle Route is divided into 12 stages, each covering between 31 and 58 km, with three different levels of difficulty: easy, intermediate and difficult (the most challenging due to the rugged terrain of the Apennines).

In addition to the route that cuts through the 3 National Parks, the Parks Cycle Route offers a variant that allows you to reach Lake Angitola, in the Serre Regional Park, during Stage 9, which connects the municipalities of Girifalco (CZ) and Serra San Bruno (VV). The Parks Cycle Route can be travelled in its entirety from spring to autumn, although it is possible to travel it in the winter months, subject to checking the weather conditions and the possible presence of snow. The entire route of the Parks Cycle Route is equipped with signs and identification signage, including warning signs for cyclists and safety distances.

Find out more at cicloviaparchicalabria.it