Aspromonte is the most mysterious and isolated Italian mountain range between Ionian and Tyrrhenian Sea. It is in the southernmost part of the Italian Peninsula, it connects 2 seas (Ionian and Tyrrhenian), there are thick forests, rivers, and in the small villages we can meet people that still speaks their own Greek based language. We trek along visiting small villages, interacting with the locals, eating traditional local food, discovering and understanding this incredible well-kept secret of Italy.
A minibus carries our luggage while we are trekking.
The trip starts in the southernmost point of the Italian Peninsula along the Ionic Sea coast. Then, up to the Aspromonte mountain we reach some small towns and villages characterized by their ancient roots and traditions that still survive today. In our route we meet local inhabitants that still speak Greek language, in the so called “most Greek town of Italy”, Amendolea.
Thanks to their isolation many hamlets in Aspromonte territory have been able to preserve the atmosphere they had in the past.
Then, in our journey we won’t miss the opportunity to taste local genuine products and wines, to stay in surprising accommodations, such as the “Albergo Diffuso” in Bova, and to admire the well-know Riace Bronzes in Reggio Calabria National Museum.
A minibus carries our luggage while we are trekking.
We start the tour in Reggio Calabria in the morning. We walk along the sea shore overlooking the Messina strait and the nearby Sicily Island. We then drive to the southernmost point of the Italian Peninsula along the Ionian Sea coast.
Up on the Aspromonte mountain range there is the ghost town of Pentedattilo: a town built on the mountain slope of the Monte Calvario, whose shapes resembles that of five fingers.
Here we can still hear senior people speaking an old Greek language: the descendent of the Byzantine people who lived here until 1059. We walk through this timeless “borgo” with the castle and the Saint Peter and Paul church. After the visit, we move to the “borgo” of Amendolea, a ghost town with its rich past still visible in the ruins of the castle.
After breakfast we start trekking, crossing Amendolea torrent and climbing up Mount Maradha (463 m), Palazzine (553 m) and finally Gallicianò (620 m) which is considered “the most Greek town in all Italy”.
We enjoy a typical lunch and a traditional show, then we visit the small town including the Orthodox Church of Saint Mary of Greece and back to Amendolea.
After breakfast we start with the visit of the farmhouse where we discover more about bergamot. Then we start trekking up to Mount Brigha (610 m) and then we reach Bova (850 m). We visit the historical city centre of Bova with its narrow lanes and old buildings, the interesting cathedral and basilica till the highest point of the village where there are the ruins of the Normann Castle. Then back to our hotel.
Today we discover the surrounding areas of Bova. We follow a loop trek on a historical route to località Polemo (810 m), from here we will start the climb to Monte Grosso (1300 m), where we admire the spectacular view over Amendolea torrent, ghost villages of Roghudi e Africo Vecchio and from far away we can see the Mount Etna peak.
Today we take a transfer to reach Carrà (940 m), where we start the daily excursion in the most remote area of Aspromonte. First we reach Africo Vecchio (685 m) where is located the “Ecomuseum of the Greek area”, which was abandoned in 1951. Then we climb up to Acqua di Marcello (870 m) and we reach the isolated San Leo Sanctuary (800 m).
After breakfast we start for a trekking to the Fiumara San Pasquale (420 m), Agrappidà Mount (690 m) to reach, in the afternoon, the town of Palizzi Superiore (272 m). Here we visit the small historical town centre with the nice byzantine dome of the Sant’Anna Church. Palizzi is home to the “IGT Red wine”. After the visit, transfer to the camping in Palizzi Marina, located along the Ionian coast, where the Caretta-Caretta turtles nest. Here we have the possibility to enjoy a relaxing bath in the sea.
After breakfast, transfer to Staiti (530 m), fascinating “borgo” dated to the XVI century and starting point for a loop trek that brings us on the top of Monte Cerasia, (1013 m) which is a stunning natural point of view: from here we can see the blue Ionian Sea and the green forest of Aspromonte. Then we move to Staiti (530 m) and transfer to Palizzi Marina for the night. 
After breakfast morning at leisure and then transfer to Reggio Calabria with possible visit to the National Museum where there are the famous: Riace Bronzes.
Transfer to the airport.
The scheduled departures are between April and October. We recommend to avoid July and August because of the high temperature.
On request – quotations from 2 to 12 pax.
For further information on the price or a tailor-made quotation please contact us at info@out-of-italy.com.
Aspromonte is a mountain near the sea, therefore there is a unique ecosystem which influences the climate. Quite mild temperatures in the spring and autumn months, very cold in winter and quite warm but still pleasant in the summer.
All the meals except lunch on day 1 and 8, and dinner on day 8 are included.
Minibus for the transfers at the beginning and the end of the trekking, as well as in case of need, during the trekking. Luggage will be transported by the minibus, only a day backpack will be carried by the passenger during the walks.
Trekking shoes (up to the ankles) ; small day backpack, personal first aid kit, 1lt water bottle. The luggage will be carried by the minibus.
Trekking shoes (up to the ankles) are mandatory; Technical clothes (no blue jeans); small day backpack; swimsuit for the final days; personal first aid kit, 1lt water bottle. The luggage will be carried by the minibus. Please note that the villages and “borghi” that we visit during this trip are lacking of any kind of service (such as drugstores) so it is important to bring all your personal equipment. It is planned to have sufficient time each day to stop in villages, talk to the locals, to enjoy the landscape and the great views. There are quite important ups and downs every day which are the most challenging parts of the trekking.
Trekking card– at the start of the trekking we can get a “trekking card” and we will get it stamped from: hotels, bars, restaurants on the way and at the end of the trekking we can receive an “Aspromonte trekking certificate”.
For logistics or technical reasons, the itinerary can be run with some amendments on the sequence of the visits and excursions.
