Pollino National Park near Maratea
pollino. the greatest Italian National Park
The Pollino National Park, one of the most recent national parks (established in 1993), is the largest in Italy, covering an area of approximately 200,000 hectares divided equally between Basilicata and Calabria.
It covers the territory of 56 municipalities (of which 24 are in Basilicata) with a population of approximately 172,000 inhabitants, and its central office is located in Rotonda, in the province of Potenza.
The symbol of the Park is the Loriciferous Pine, which lives rooted to the most rugged slopes.
The Calabrian side is steep and rocky with very impressive canyons among the most imposing in Italy; the Lucanian part is a beautiful alternation of grassy highlands and forests without interruption.
The park consists of the Pollino Massif, which includes many peaks, five of which exceed 2,000 meters; the highest are Serra Dolcedorme (2,267 m) and Monte Pollino (2,248 m).
Gateways to the Park
THE PARK AUTHORITY is located in Rotonda, with phone number 0973 669311
http://parcopollino.gov.it
The visitor centers are in Chiaromonte, Francavilla sul Sinni, Rotonda, San Paolo Albanese, Terranova del Pollino, and Viggianello.
| locale | distance from Maratea | time | access to: |
| Newfoundland of Pollino (PZ) | 110 km | 2h | Crispo Serra, Rubbio Forest |
| Roundabout (Pz) | 60 km | 1h15 | Pollino Plateau, Serra del Prete, Monte Pollino |
| Saint Lawrence Bellizzi (Cs) | 130 km | 2h30 | Raganello Gorges |
| Mormanno (Cs) | 65 km | 1h15 | Natural Reserve of the Lao and Argentine Rivers |
FORESTS AND BANDITS
Land of banditry and territory of a significant forestry industry that reached its peak at the turn of the 1800s and 1900s, the Pollino is a "sacred" mountain, preserving the traditions of an ancient agricultural and pastoral culture, which are particularly evident in the festival of Our Lady of the Pollino, which attracts over 20,000 people each year.
Cultural wealth is also expressed by the Albanian community present in nearly 5,000 inhabitants across 9 municipalities in the Park, which has maintained over the centuries the traditions, customs, and practices of their homeland of origin.
Recommended itineraries
RUBBIA FOREST (access: Terranova del Pollino)
Bosco Magnano: is reached from the road to San Severino Lucano, and it is a splendid beech and oak forest, watered by the Peschiera river.
Ruggio Plain: it can be reached from Rotonda, Viggianello, or Campo Tenese and offers the most beautiful spectacle of grassy high plateau in the Pollino.
Through a small path, one reaches the Malvento belvedere with its famous Loricato pines.
Monte Pollino: it is reached after a walk uphill that starts from Colle dell'Impiso, on the road that leads from Viggianello and San Severino to Piano di Ruggio. It gives its name to the entire Park.
Great Pollino Gate: the hiking trail starts from Terranova or San Severino, passes by the Pittacure spring and the Piano Jannace, and leads to a spectacular pass that offers views of some of the most beautiful Italian Stone Pines in the Park.
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