Highlight • Mountain Hut
Pino Loricato Hut
Hiking
5.0
(54)
Mountain biking
5.0
(1)
This Highlight is in a protected area
Please check local regulations for:
Parco Nazionale del Pollino
Tips
February 10, 2023
Hiking
•
September 1, 2025
Hiking
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Nearby routes
Best routes near Pino Loricato Hut
3.4
(5)
13
hikers
11.6km
04:19
500m
500m
Embark on the Serra di Crispo - Garden of the Gods Loop, a challenging hike through Italy's vast Pollino National Park. This route spans 7.2 miles (11.6 km) and climbs a significant 1644 feet (501 metres), taking you through varied terrain from dense beech forests to rugged, rocky cliffs. You will discover the ancient loricate pines in the 'Garden of the Gods', some of which are over 350 years old, offering a unique and dramatic landscape.
Planning your visit requires careful preparation for this difficult trail, which typically takes around 4 hours and 18 minutes to complete. You will need good fitness, sure-footedness, and sturdy hiking shoes to navigate the route safely. Some sections of the trail can be technical or hazardous, so prior alpine experience is highly recommended to ensure you are well-prepared for mountain conditions.
This trail is a highlight within Pollino National Park, a UNESCO natural heritage site, and offers panoramic views of the higher elevations, including Serra di Crispo itself. The ancient loricate pines are considered 'living fossils', making this a truly special natural experience. This loop provides a deep dive into the park's unique ecosystem and its dramatic mountain scenery.
4.5
(2)
14
hikers
15.0km
04:54
600m
600m
Embark on a moderate hiking adventure through the Serra delle Ciavole, a 9.3-mile (15.0 km) ring tour in the Pollino National Park. This route features a significant 1952 feet (595 metres) of elevation gain and typically takes around 4 hours and 54 minutes to complete. You will traverse dense beech and fir forests before reaching vast open plains like Piano Toscano and Piano di Jannace. As you climb higher, the terrain becomes rockier, leading to high-altitude meadows and outcrops, where ancient Loricato pines, twisted by centuries of wind, stand as natural monuments. The southern summit of Serra delle Ciavole offers breathtaking panoramic views stretching across the Gulf of Sibari and other prominent peaks.
While generally considered moderate, some sections of the trail involve steep, wooded slopes that can be slippery and stony, requiring good training and sure footing. The difficulty can vary depending on the specific path you choose, with certain itineraries to the summit rated for expert hikers. The plains transform into pastures for livestock in summer, but are covered in snow during winter, so plan your visit accordingly for the best conditions.
This trail is renowned as one of the most evocative mountaineering itineraries in the Pollino range, home to some of Europe's oldest living trees, including the over 1230-year-old "Italus" pine. Serra delle Ciavole is one of the highest peaks in the park and is recognized as a Site of Community Interest and part of a UNESCO GEOPARK. The presence of these magnificent, ancient Pinus leucodermis, some appearing as preserved "pinosaurs," makes this route a truly unique experience.
4.8
(26)
92
hikers
11.1km
03:51
610m
610m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Details
Informations
Elevation 1,550 m
Weather
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Thursday 14 May
17°C
6°C
23 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 10.0 km/h
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