Equipment needed:
– hiking backpack;
– Hiking boots (ankle high);
– waterproof windproof jacket;
– fleece or sweater to protect against the wind;
– Long and/or short hiking pants;
– Appropriate hiking clothing relative to the season and the altitudes you will reach;
– Water container of at least one liter.
Suggested equipment:
– sun hat;
– sunscreen;
– sunglasses;
– Light down jacket, wool hat and light gloves;
– Headlamp or flashlight;
– telescopic trekking poles.
Trekking in the Pollini National Park – Mount Pollino and the ring of the Patriarchs
This scenic route runs along the southern “foothills” of Mount Pollino, the second highest peak in Italy’s largest national park, the Pollino National Park, which stretches between Calabria and Basilicata. The route offers spectacular views of the surrounding valleys and mountain range, with panoramas ranging from snow-capped mountain peaks to green valleys crisscrossed by rivers and forests.
The walk will lead us to one of the natural jewels of this mountain: the “Patriarch of the Pollino,” a thousand-year-old specimen of loricate pine that towers imposingly above Pollinello, a minor peak located on the steep and long Calabrian side of the Pollino. This tree, a witness to the strength and longevity of nature, is one of the oldest and most extraordinary plants in Italy.
The loricate pine is a tough and fascinating tree, with bark that peels into thin slabs, creating a unique appearance. The Patriarch’s mighty roots cling tightly to the rock, almost crushing it, while its twisted branches, resembling tentacles, reach for the sky as if to touch the stars. Its presence among the centuries-old beech trees in the forest creates a spectacular contrast and a magical atmosphere, making it one of the most striking places in the park.
ThePatriarchs Loop winds through this unique mountain ecosystem, where wilderness takes center stage. The trail offers the opportunity to observe local flora and fauna, such as the Pollino deer, the Apennine wolf, and numerous species of birds of prey. Along the way, you can also admire other plants typical of the area, such as the Pollino cornflower and the peony, symbols of the biodiversity of this area.
In addition, the area is rich in historical evidence, with ancient mule tracks and remnants of megalithic walls testifying to the importance of these mountains in past eras. The trekking experience is not only an immersion in nature, but also a journey through time, allowing us to discover how local people have lived in symbiosis with this impervious territory for centuries.
