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Lorica, in the heart of the Sila National Park, on Lake Arvo

Lake Cecita, in the splendid panorama of the Sila

Lake Cecita is one of the artificial basins that has adapted best to the Sila landscape

If you’re looking for Calabria off the beaten track, Lorica offers a completely different experience – mountainous, cool and relaxing.

Temperatures here are up to 10°C lower than on the coast, making Lorica a natural air conditioner. The region offers dozens of kilometres of trails, from family walks to technical single-track mountain biking. It lies within the Parco Nazionale della Sila, a UNESCO biosphere reserve with endemic plants and animals. There are a surprising number of modernist hotels and villas from the 1960s (a legacy of the ambitious plan to make Lorica Calabria’s Alpine resort) and a modern gondola that takes tourists up the Botte Donato ridge (for skiers in winter, for the views in summer). The lack of mass tourism means that even in August you can find peace and quiet.

Lorica is one of those places that effectively destroys the stereotype of Calabria as a region of beaches and lemons only. Situated at an altitude of around 1,300 m above sea level in the Sila massif, it offers a landscape more reminiscent of the Alps than southern Italy – with dense larch forests, a cooler climate and a peace that is hard to find by the sea.

After a ride around the lake... time for some serious charging. The local Patate della Sila IGP is not only legendary in taste, but also fuel, which grows thanks to the same water you just passed. Grown right next to the trail, it ends up on your plate before you even have time to take off your helmet😅. Perfect after the kilometers you've racked up.

The Ciclovia dei Parchi della Calabria runs around the lake. Although the entire Ciclovia is considered a route for experienced cyclists due to the significant elevation gain, the lake section is characterized by a more accessible profile. The sections are dominated by flat or gentle climbs, making it suitable for cyclists with average physical fitness. The surface is mixed, alternating between asphalt and gravel sections (natural surfaces and dirt roads), typical of cycle routes immersed in nature. For this reason, a trekking, gravel or mountain bike is most suitable.