Calabria: attractive for active people even in fall and winter
Active in Calabria: 8 highlights for your fall and winter vacation
If you are dreaming of an endless summer, Calabria, at the tip of Italy's boot, is just the place for you. With an average of 320 days of sunshine a year and warm temperatures well into November, southern Italy is ideal for active vacations of all kinds, especially in autumn. The sea is still inviting with temperatures of around 20 degrees Celsius, but the beaches are no longer overcrowded. Romantic coastal towns such as Tropea, the “Pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea”, and quaint mountain villages are waiting to be discovered. Mountains, gorges and forests offer hiking and mountain biking fans countless well-signposted trails for tours through the region's unique nature. But travelers also get their money's worth here in winter, when snow-covered peaks, ski slopes and ice rinks await winter sports enthusiasts in the Sila National Park.
Higher, faster, further in Aspromonte National Park
Rugged rocks, thundering waterfalls and glowing autumn leaves: if you want to test your limits in the midst of pristine nature, you can let off steam in Aspromonte National Park. There is a huge network of hiking and mountain biking routes as well as numerous gorges and waterfalls that are ideal for canyoning. The highlight is the descent through the Furria Gorge with six beautiful waterfalls and a cave created by natural erosion. The central location of the Aspromonte mountains at the tip of the Italian boot ensures that you have spectacular views in three directions from the almost 2,000-metre-high Montalto over picturesque mountain villages all the way to the sea.
From Pizzo to Nicotera: the coast of the gods
Calabria has an impressive 780 kilometers of coastline, but no section is more beautiful than the so-called Coast of the Gods (Costa degli Dei). It stretches from Pizzo, built on a steep cliff, via Tropea and Capo Vaticano to the town of Nicotera. It is particularly fun to explore the coastline and the turquoise sea by boat. Thanks to the pleasantly warm water temperatures of around 20 degrees, even in the fall, this is possible until late November. On the way, you can swim and snorkel in the crystal-clear water. Underwater, you can see colorful fish as well as corals, starfish and even octopuses, while there are numerous bays, caves and the Riaci Canyon to discover on the coast itself. The best thing is that in the fall, you have these sights almost to yourself!
Divine coves
The Coast of the Gods can be explored not only by boat, but also on foot or by mountain bike. The mild temperatures in fall and winter are perfect for shifting up a gear. Although there is no official coastal hiking trail, you can find routes of all levels of difficulty on the well-known hiking portals, including guided tours. Whether from Tropea to Capo Vaticano, from Capo Vaticano over the promontory of Monte Poro to Nicotera, or shorter hikes from the coast up to the 1870 lighthouse - the highlight is the Belvedere viewpoint, located around 120 meters above the sea. From here, there is a fantastic view along the coast and its small bays: Grotticelle, Santa Maria, Coccorino, Joppolo and Nicotera. On a clear day, you can see the Strait of Messina, the Aeolian Islands and Sicily in the distance.
Red hot street art in Diamante
Fancy some culture? Then Diamante on the Riviera dei Cedri offers two very special traditions: Street art for the eye and peperoncino for the palate. Over 200 murals adorn the facades of the coastal town. “Operation Murales” began in 1981, when 80 Italian and international artists came to Diamante on the initiative of painter Nani Razetti to immortalize themselves on walls and facades. From scenes from the daily lives of local fishermen and farmers to pop art superheroes and hyper-realistic portraits - all styles are allowed, and new pictures are added every year. A popular motif: peperoncino, the fruity, hot Calabrian chili variety that is celebrated in Diamante every September with the Peperoncino Festival.
Wind in the sails
Calabria is a paradise for all kinds of water sports, but the climate and wind are ideal for kitesurfing and windsurfing all year round. Another plus point: some of the hotspots are in the immediate vicinity of Lamezia Terme airport. Gizzeria is the largest beach on the Tyrrhenian coast of Calabria and is also the venue for the world kitesurfing championships. Just a stone's throw to the north is Hang Loose Beach, ideal for kitesurfers, windsurfers and hydrofoilers who want plenty of space by the sea. In the fall and winter, the Strait of Messina in the southwest of Calabria is particularly recommended. Here, the thermal winds are amplified by the special location, which is why sufficient wind can be reliably expected. South of Reggio Calabria lies Punta Pellaro, a spot that is particularly popular with local kiters and windsurfers. If you come here in winter, you can experience wind and sea without the hustle and bustle of summer visitors.
Wanderlust: the Cammino Calabria
The “Cammino Calabria Coast to Coast” leads right across the tip of Italy's boot, from Soverato on the Ionian Sea to Pizzo on the Tyrrhenian Sea. Those who hike here in the fall are rewarded with spectacular panoramas thanks to the clear visibility. The 55-kilometre hike is divided into three well-signposted stages, which initially lead through the northern foothills of the Serre mountain range and through quaint mountain villages such as Petrizzi, San Vito sull'Ionio and Monterosso Calabro. Along the way, you will pass olive groves, vineyards and chestnut forests as well as numerous churches worth seeing, and the hike also takes you along the beautiful Lago Angitola. If you like, you can have the “Passaporto del Viaggiatore” stamped at the three stage destinations - then there are discounts along the way.
Gigantic paradise: the Sila National Park
The Sila National Park stretches across the provinces of Catanzaro, Cosenza and Crotone. Not only does it have the (allegedly) cleanest air in Europe - if you visit the park in autumn, you can also enjoy the famous Sila potatoes, which are grown here at an altitude of 1,200 meters! Outdoor enthusiasts can choose from dozens of hiking trails, mountain bike routes and bridle paths, while a highlight is the circular hike around the Arvo reservoir, which can also be crossed by zipline. Other lakes in the park invite you to go sailing, canoeing or fishing even in the fall thanks to the mild temperatures. Those who prefer untouched nature will love the Valli Cupe Gorge with its waterfalls, also known as “Calabria's Grand Canyon”. Speaking of untouched: In addition to the “Giganti della Sila”, 400-year-old black pines 40 meters high, there are still (or again) wolves here.
Off to the slopes: winter fun in the Sila National Park
Anyone who only associates Calabria with warm weather is very much mistaken! A trip is also worthwhile in winter. There are several ski resorts in the Sila National Park, including Lorica and Camigliatello Silano, with numerous slopes of all levels of difficulty. There are four ski lifts in Lorica and two in Camigliatello Silano. Cross-country skiers will also find plenty to enjoy here, as the area has 40 kilometers of cross-country trails. You can also go ice skating and tobogganing or explore the unique nature of the Sila National Park on a guided snowshoe hike or snowmobile tour. Huts and snack bars provide refreshments at the stations. Lorica is beautifully situated at the foot of Monte Botte Donato on Lago Arvo, with breathtaking views from the summit of Sila Grande.
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