The Marmarico waterfall from Bivongi
You follow the Stilaro riverbed and then the Folea ravine, past bridges, steps and two fountains, to the foot of the highest waterfall in Calabria, which drops 114 metres into an amphitheatre of rock.
- Difficulty
- E Hiking
- Length
- 8.3 km
- Elevation gain
- +410 m / −410 m
- Time
- 2–2.5 hours round trip
- Route
- Out and back
- Altitude
- 487–698 m
- Season
- Spring Summer Autumn
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The story
The waterfall lies in the municipality of Bivongi, in the Serre mountains of Calabria, in a valley once inhabited by Greek-rite monks: nearby are the Byzantine monastery of San Giovanni Theristis and the Cattolica of Stilo.
Why go
Because it is the highest waterfall in Calabria, and the last stretch, on foot through the woods, is almost always quiet.
Practical information
- Start
- Turn-off for the Bagni di Guida, above Bivongi (a few roadside spaces)
- Finish
- Foot of the Marmarico waterfall; return the same way
- Best time
- April–October; in summer set off early
- Parking
- A few spaces at the turn-off for the Bagni di Guida; otherwise near the Bivongi sports ground, with a long extra stretch on tarmac.
- By public transport
- You need a car; from Bivongi there is also a private off-road shuttle to the bridge over the Folea.
- Water
- Two fountains along the trail: at Droma and after the wooden bridge.
- Shade
- In the sun on the first stretch of dirt road, then woodland along the ravine.
- Huts and refreshments
- None; trattorias in Bivongi and along the road.
- With children
- With children used to walking: the first stretch is uphill and in the sun.
Weather at the start
The forecast for the next 7 days at this spot: sky, temperatures, rain and wind.
Forecast by Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), from the models of national weather services. Your browser downloads it directly from Open-Meteo, and only when you ask. In the mountains and at sea the weather changes quickly: check the official forecast as well before you set off.
What to see on the route and nearby
- ★ Cattolica of StiloOn the route
- Charterhouse of Serra San Bruno12 km from the start
- ★ Badolato13 km from the start
More hikes in Calabria
- 1From Monte Curcio to the Giants of the SilaE 4.9 km · +50 m · 2 hours · point to point
- 2★ Pietra Cappa trail, in AspromonteE 2.4 km · +180 m · 1.5–2 hours · point to point
- 3★ The Greek Trail, from Amendolea to BovaE 7.9 km · +760 m · 4–4.5 hours · point to point
- 4From Cerchiara to the sanctuary of Santa Maria delle ArmiE 8.1 km · +700 m · 3.5–4 hours round trip · out and back
Routes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), via Waymarked Trails and BRouter; elevations from a digital terrain model. Times and elevation gains are indicative: waymarks on the ground and closure orders always take precedence.