Pietra Cappa trail, in Aspromonte
A trail in the Valley of the Great Stones, in Aspromonte, around the Pietra Cappa monolith, the largest in Europe, among holm oak woods, strangely shaped rocks and the remains of Byzantine hermitages.
- Difficulty
- E Hiking
- Length
- 2.4 km
- Elevation gain
- +180 m / −110 m
- Time
- 1.5–2 hours (one way)
- Route
- Point to point
- Altitude
- 588–754 m
- Season
- Spring Summer Autumn
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The story
Pietra Cappa is a huge conglomerate monolith more than a hundred metres high. Around it are other rocks with evocative names, such as Pietra Castello and Pietra Lunga, and caves used by Basilian monks in the Middle Ages. Not far away is the sanctuary of the Madonna di Polsi, the goal of an ancient pilgrimage on foot.
Why go
Because it is one of the most mysterious and least-known places in Italy, in the wild heart of Aspromonte.
Practical information
- Start
- Turn-off on the road to Polsi (San Luca)
- Finish
- Casello San Giorgio
- Best time
- April–November
- Parking
- Lay-bys along the road to Polsi.
- By public transport
- You need a car.
- Water
- Scarce: carry at least a litre and a half.
- Shade
- Holm oak and chestnut woods for much of the way.
- Huts and refreshments
- None.
- With children
- Yes, with children used to walking.
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
More hikes in Calabria
- 1From Monte Curcio to the Giants of the SilaE 4.9 km · +50 m · 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
- 5The Marmarico waterfall from BivongiE 8.3 km · +410 m · 2–2.5 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.