Climbing in Calabria: where to do it

Have you ever thought about climbing in Calabria? If you have never done it, now is the time to give it a try. 

Sport climbing in Calabria is among the most adrenalin-pumping and breathtaking outdoor activities to be practised by those who wish to combine a complete sport with the discovery of the region's most beautiful natural and scenic locations.

Here are some places to go climbing in Calabria...

Not a sport for everyone but more widespread than you think, climbing requires training, concentration and a great love of nature. Climbing in Calabria is possible from north to south, in locations that are ideal for this kind of activity. What exactly does climbing consist of? In the climbing of a vertical rock face in free climbing at various levels of difficulty, practised solo or in a rope group.

For everyone's safety and security, it is advisable to always contact the official guides and the local authorities in charge for information on the actual practicability at the chosen times and additional suggestions.

In the province of Cosenza, on the Ionian slope of the Pollino National Park, the Falesia Frascineto-Eianina in the municipality of Frascineto is the magical place of the so-called "Little Pink Dolomites", a glimpse of alpine landscape in Calabria. This pink rock outcrop, limestone in nature and exposed to the south, offers climbing enthusiasts numerous routes: from those of low difficulty, suitable for novice climbers, equipped with special via ferrata (artificial steel rope belaying and iron ladders), to those for professionals and free-climbing enthusiasts. Each sector is well connected to all the others.

Also in the province of Cosenza, but in the municipality of Orsomarso, on the Tyrrhenian side of the Pollino Massif, we find the "Valle Argentino" Centre, immersed in the State Nature Reserve of the same name, one of the reference points for those wishing to climb in Calabria. The indoor location, in an old disused sawmill, offers 50 square metres of climbing surface with a height of 7 metres and a dry training area with pan gullich, beams and system boards. The outdoor outings, on natural rock, climb the Falesia Orsomarso-Mercuri, a spectacular limestone wall with sharp holes and notches, caves, reeds and stalactites. Divided into four sectors: Placche, Grotta, Chiesa and Ultimo.

Set in the beautiful landscapes of the Pollino National Park, also in the province of Cosenza, the Falesia Acqua Rossa in Cerchiara di Calabria is a very varied and compact rock face facing south. The same area hosts the Via Ferrata del Caldanello or Ferrata della Gravina, consisting of two equipped sections along the Caldanello stream.

Another climbing routes of the Pollino is the Ferrata del Raganello, near the municipality of Civita. Also known as the "Via delle Capre", it traverses the spectacular north face above the Regional Nature Reserve ‘’Gole del Raganello‘’, i.e. the Timpa del Demanio, with a total length of about 3 km suspended in the void (this climbing route is particularly risky and not always practicable, and is forbidden on one's own. It is advisable to check its practicability with the local contact persons).

Those who dream of ice climbing in Calabria can practice it at the summit of Serra Dolcedorme (Scaletta di Mimmo-Direttissima), at an altitude of 2,267 metres. You start from Valle Piana, in the municipality of Castrovillari, and reach the so-called "Scaletta di Mimmo" attack, i.e. 3 pitches of 60-metre ropes, until the descent along the east ridge and the "Faggio Grosso" valley.

Finally, two locations in the province of Reggio Calabria offer as many open-air thrills to those who wish to climb in Calabria. The first is the rocky ridge overlooking the historic centre of Palizzi Superiore, Falesia Carmine in the locality of the same name. A true paradise for fans of this discipline: many stretches for bouldering and corners with verticals for rock manoeuvres. Concentration is ensured by the surroundings, a panorama from which the entire Ionian coast can be seen. The modest altitude allows climbing all months of the year: in winter it is sheltered from winds and currents, in summer it is almost entirely covered by trees.

The second location is in Stilo and is the Mount Consolino Cave. It is a long, bolted wall, part of the mountain of the same name that overlooks the Ionian village. The Cave sector is an overhanging reed and drop crag, considered by experts to be one of the most beautiful of its kind in all of southern Italy. Given the overhang, it can be climbed in all seasons, even in the rain.