Places
Hike·Hard·Sporty·Popular

Monte Pollino — La Spina

Calabria

Monte Pollino (2,267 m) gives the largest national park in Italy its name. The park is famous for the ancient Pinus leucodermis (Loricato pine) — gnarled trees on the summit ridge some 1,000 years old. Wolf is abundant (estimated 80+ individuals in the park). The La Spina approach from Rotonda crosses the Piano Ruggio (1,548 m plateau). The summit view extends to Sicily across the Strait of Messina.

Duration
7 hours
Distance
16 km
Elevation
+1100 m
Best season
June – October

Highlights

  • 1,000-year-old Pino Loricato pines on the summit ridge
  • 80+ wolves — most wolf-dense national park in Italy
  • Sicily visible across the Strait of Messina from the summit

With your dog

High mountain; dogs off-leash.