Places
Hike·Moderate·Scenic·Hidden gem
Gole del Lao, Papasidero
Calabria
The Lao cuts a green gorge through the western Pollino, famous for rafting but also walkable: a path from Papasidero — a village stacked under an overhang, with the Palaeolithic Grotta del Romito nearby — follows the water between cliffs hung with fig and oleander to quiet shingle bars.
Duration
3 hours
Distance
7 km
Elevation
+200 m
Best season
April – October
Parking · Free
Free parking in Papasidero near the river.
Water
Fountains in Papasidero; the river is not for drinking.
Highlights
- Limestone gorge of the Lao
- Palaeolithic Grotta del Romito at Papasidero
- Shingle bars and clear pools
With your dog
Leashed dogs welcome on the riverside path; the Lao is a rafting river with strong current.
