The itinerary of the new "Calabria Trail” (Sentiero Calabria), which is accessible to all and is dedicated to sportsmen, trekkers, and nature lovers, is on 654 kilometres and divided into 34 stages. Officially it links the national parks of Aspromonte, Sila, Pollino, and the Serre Regional Park for the first time in history.
An eco-sustainable and accessible trail
The project, which is being carried out in collaboration with the bodies of the four national parks, aims at promoting a type of tourism that is eco-sustainable, respectful of the environment, and accessible to all. The Calabria Trail was completed on the 50th anniversary of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention.
Ph credits: Carmelo Fiore
Cooperating and achieving important common goals
"The Calabria Trail project brought the national park bodies to join forces, cooperate, and achieve important common goals," said Robert Piattelli, member of the Scientific Coordination of the World Tourism Event.” Giovanni Aramini, director of parks and protected natural areas of the Calabria Region says "the most important goal is to give visibility and voice to Calabria by promoting sustainable tourism, which is growing fast . Today’s tourist wants to discover our region and its many stunning natural attractions."
“We are in the centre of the Mediterranean”
“Our mission is to protect the Earth, - says Giuseppe Putort, director of the Aspromonte natural park authority, - and the Region has given us the opportunity to work alongside local communities and institutions.” “This is a very important project that enhances our land, which is in the centre of the Mediterranean and can boast extraordinary geology and biodiversity,” adds Silvia Lottero, head of the Aspromonte Natural Park's promotion service.
Raising awareness of ancient landscapes
Gaetano Osso, councillor of the Sila National Park authority says the initiative is “a huge springboard to raise awareness of landscapes formed millions of years ago, when a fragment of the Alps broke away from the Mediterranean. Anyone who comes to experience the Calabria Trail will discover a variety of different Calabrias.”
