The SILA NATIONAL PARK is a protected area located in the heart of the Sila. The park headquarters is in Lorica, while the perimeter involves ter

GARCEA VISITOR CENTER
Località Monaco-Taverna 

40 km from the center - 0961922819  

It is located within the Biogenetic Nature Reserve "Poverella-Villaggio Mancuso". It is characterized by the predominant presence of the Corsican pine in pure formation. The Center took on the appearance of a modern multifunctional complex after the 1980s, with a continuous use of creative resources. The synergy between the Sila National Park Authority and the Carabinieri Department for Biodiversity of Catanzaro guarantees optimal use aimed at the active conservation of the natural environment, a biodiversity oasis, for educational, didactic, and scientific purposes. Among the existing structures, particular importance is given to the "Nature Center", with a conference room, temporary exhibition room, and thematic museum; the "Study Center - Naturalistic, Environmental and Forestry Education", with a classroom, library, educational laboratory, and an outdoor "green classroom"; the thematic museum "The Forests of Sila", dedicated to the evolution and structure of the forest formations of Sila; the thematic museum "The Forests and Man", which focuses on the relationship between human communities and the mountain and the forest; the "Green Theater" with a capacity of about 500 seats; the "Unicef Square" dedicated to hosting cultural and recreational events. In addition, there are a didactic trail and a trail for the disabled equipped with illustrative panels regarding the flora and fauna present in the Sila Piccola, a garden of aromatic and medicinal herbs with various specimens of plants, both native and non-native, of the Sila Piccola, a geological trail, a trail for the blind equipped with descriptive panels in Braille, a trail for the visually impaired, a forest culture garden, a Sila biodiversity nursery, and the rural village of ancient Sila. Some areas have been designated as acclimatization and distribution centers for roe deer and deer, as a didactic-demonstrative center for fallow deer, as a didactic and acclimatization center for wonderful specimens of eagle owl that are being reintroduced into Sila Piccola.
 

CIRICILLA
43 km from the center

A few years ago it was a small ski resort, of which today only abandoned structures remain. And to think that the area, not far from Catanzaro, and the beautiful valley of the Ciricilla Stream, a natural cross-country ski trail, could still represent a great tourist opportunity. It seems, however, that a group of local associations is trying to relaunch it with the project “Ciricilla sport for all,” considering its use and attendance even in summer. In addition to skiing, the future of Ciricilla, according to the promoters, should also include snowboarding and cross-country skiing, as well as snowshoe walks and orienteering in the splendid Sila woods.

GRANARO VILLAGE            
30 km from the center

It offers various ideas for experiencing the Sila Piccola in all its aspects, from nature and hiking to art, leisure, and gastronomy. The village features a large hotel complex, the Parco Hotel Granaro, several bungalows, and a fully equipped campsite. The family-run facility is adjacent to the Alberolandia Adventure Park and MABOS - Museum of Art of the Sila Forest, to give you an experience of good food, art, and fun. A place where nature and culture meet well-being, where movement becomes an ally of relaxation and typical gastronomy welcomes and inspires any type of stay.

Parco Hotel Granaro 
C.da Granaro - Sorbo San Basile

0961922091

www.parcohotelgranaro.com 
 

LAKE AMPOLLINO
69 km from the center

This lake has the characteristic of bathing three different provinces: Cosenza, Crotone, and Catanzaro. The fish species present in its waters are trout, chub, tench, Apennine bleak, perch, carp, and cisalpine bleak. Research conducted by the Superintendency for Archaeological Heritage of Calabria has identified an important settlement from the ancient Bronze Age (2000-1800 BC) on the shores of this lake. In the locality of Fiume Tassito, the remains of a double-arched bridge (made of Silano granite blocks) from the Roman imperial age are visible, evidence of the ancient road network that crossed the Sila in ancient times. On the shores of the lake, subject to periodic submersion, important archaeological remains attributable to mining and metallurgical activities have been identified during the aforementioned research.

PASSANTE LAKE
33 km from the center

Located in the municipalities of Taverna, Sorbo San Basile, and Colosimi (CS), it is an artificial basin. The fish species present are trout, carp, perch, chub, bleak, savetta, crucian carp, rudd, and finally eel. The dam is 65 meters high and 450 meters long.

Agriturismo Lago Del Passante  
Taverna - C.da Imparaturello 0961922034 

MONTE GARIGLIONE
65 km from the center

At 1765m above sea level, it is the highest mountain of the Sila Piccola and is located on the eastern side of the Sila plateau. It is believed that the toponym "Gariglione" derives from the augmentative of "gariglio," a dialect term used to indicate the Turkey oak. There are tall trees such as beeches, firs, and laricio pines. Due to its high degree of naturalness, it has been included in the sites of the Bioitaly project, protected areas of community interest. The interest in Gariglione has also increased from the scientific community, as it seems that the local variety of Abies alba has properties that induce greater resistance to acid rain.

TACINA VALLEY
48 km from the center

It takes its name from the Calabrian river that rises on the eastern side of the Sila Piccola plateau and flows into the Gulf of Squillace. It is a truly unique place because, unlike many other valleys in the Sila, it does not have any human settlements except for two stone buildings called "vaccherie" which have been abandoned for years. A few fences for grazing, the trace of a path, some reforestation, and a small lake are the only signs of human activity in this natural paradise, mysteriously and fortunately preserved to this day.
 

BUTURO VILLAGE                         
42 km from the center

One of the oldest among the historic villages of the small Sila in Catanzaro. It takes its name from the dialect term “Vuturu” which was used to identify the vulture once present in the Sila. A few decades ago, the village was so busy and lively that it boasted the presence of schools, a post office, railways, and various services. There is a forest of centuries-old beeches, Calabrian larch pines, silver firs, Turkey oaks, holm oaks, and maples.

Locanda Pecora Nera 
Strada per Buturo, snc  -  0961586470
www.ormenelparco.it

VILLAGGIO MANCUSO
37 km from the center 

Founded in the early decades of the 20th century, at 1289 meters above sea level, it owes its existence to the intuition of Eugenio Mancuso, an enlightened wood entrepreneur after whom the village is named. During the 1929 crisis, he decided to use the large reserves of timber, which lay unsold in the family carpentry warehouse, to build wooden houses. To do so, he hired some expert workers from the Belluno area, asking them to apply the same style as Alpine chalets. Among these stood out, in particular, the one still known today as the Rotonda, which still houses a bar and a restaurant, but above all the extraordinary hotel, called the “Grande Albergo delle Fate” (“Grand Hotel of the Fairies”), which in the 1950s and 60s made the village a destination for true luxury tourism. At the time, it was also equipped with a large swimming pool and tennis courts. The elegant interiors were lined with fabrics made by skilled artisans from San Giovanni in Fiore. In its golden years, it was also used as a film set for the movie “La ballata dei mariti.” In the 1950s and 60s, it experienced significant development, spreading into the area of the Femminamorta and Gariglione mountains, so much so that the first hotels and recreational activities began to be built. It falls within an area of high landscape and wildlife value; as for the flora, the area features silver fir, but the Corsican pine and beech are also widespread on the highest mountain peaks. There are also Neapolitan alder and black alder, as well as sycamore maple, mountain maple, chestnut, and trembling poplar. As for the fauna, in the village area you can find wolves, wild boars, wildcats, and a substantial birdlife heritage including many birds of prey.

Albergo Parco Delle Fate 
Villaggio Mancuso  0961 922057
Albergo Della Posta 
Villaggio Mancuso  - 0961 922033
www.albergodellaposta.net
Parco Dei Pini 
Via E. Mancuso, 56   0961 922164
www.parcodeipinihotel.com
Il Bivacco Del Parco 
Via E. Mancuso -  0961555278
www.ilbivaccodelparco.it
Residence Villa Maria 
Vill. Mancuso - C.da Monaco - 961922050
Quadrifoglio 
Località Villaggio Mancuso  0961 922801

VILLAGGIO PALUMBO SILA    
56 km from the center 

It is located at the foot of Mount Gariglione, at an altitude of 1,320 meters and overlooks Lake Ampollino. It is also known as Palumbosila, is a hamlet of the municipality of Cotronei (KR), from which it is just under 18 kilometers away, and is one of the best-equipped centers in Calabria for mountain holidays. It boasts modern and efficient ski lifts, and all the slopes are located on the eastern side of Mount Scorciavuoi, whose summit is at 1,754 meters above sea level. In addition to a one-kilometer-long bobsled track, the area is well served by the usual equipment rental shops, restaurants and trattorias where you can taste the typical local cuisine, bazaars, and shops of all kinds. There is certainly no shortage of accommodation, consisting of small and rustic hotels and wooden cabins, typical of mountain resorts. In recent years, it has also added an ice rink. It is a location that has remained somewhat isolated from major roadways, thus preserving an intact surrounding environment that allows you to enjoy a still unspoiled, wild nature, typical of the Sila area. The village is also equipped for summer tourism, which thrives thanks to the campsites around Lake Ampollino and especially the excellent events organized every year in the summer months, with many festivals, fairs, and music events such as the Ampollino Jazz Festival. There are many recreational (entertainment, festivals, shows, disco, events ...) and sports activities (skiing and snowboarding with artificial snow and night lighting, snowmobiles, ice skating, artificial bobsled and summer skiing, tennis, soccer, five-a-side football, volleyball, basketball, sport fishing, horse riding, trekking, quad biking, go-karting, etc.). In the winter months, several festivals are organized featuring mushrooms and typical products of the mountain areas of the Sila Plateau.

Hotel Palaghiaccio
Villaggio Palumbo   0962493074
www.hotelpalaghiaccio.it
Hotel Lo Sciatore 
Villaggio Palumbo  0962493065
www.hotellosciatore.com
Hotel Lo Scoiattolo 
Villaggio Palumbo  0962493141
www.scoiattolohotel.com
National Park Hotel 
Villaggio Palumbo   0962493127 
www.nationalparkhotelsila.it

RACISE VILLAGE
35 km from the center 

It is completely immersed in the typical Sila vegetation, mainly characterized by the presence of the Laricio pine, the characteristic pine of the Sila. The village offers a highly evocative mountain landscape, which you can explore through the many trails marked by the forestry authorities or choose among the various excursions expertly organized by local associations. The tourist services in this Sila village are varied and can satisfy very different clientele: you will find everything from luxury hotels to rental houses, from fixed-menu restaurants to those with typical cuisine, as well as being able to take advantage of the nearby riding stable and camping.

  
Hotel Villa Marinella 
SS 179 - dir Km 10+200   0961922008
www.hotelvillamarinella.it
Ragno D’oro 
Villaggio Racise 0961 922043
Olimpo - Sila Hotel 
SS179 dir XXX  0961 064898
Il Semaforo B&B E Sporthotel  
C.da Pantane, 1  0961748077
www.ilsemaforosila.it