Itineraries in the Stilaro Valley

Looking for ideas to explore the area at a slow pace?

Here is a selection of short itineraries in the Stilaro Valley, perfect for a day trip. We also suggest two multi-stage routes in Southern Calabria: the Norman Way and an archaeological itinerary along the Jasmine Coast. Enjoy the journey!

Spirit of the East in the West

The Byzantine monks arrived in Calabria between the 6th and 9th centuries, fleeing persecution in their homeland, Greece. Followers of the Rule of Saint Basil, they lived as hermits in caves, known as «laure», but were organised in communities around extraordinary places of worship such as the Cattolica di Stilo. Are you ready to follow in their footsteps? Here is Stage 52 of the Cammino Basiliano®, the Basilian Way.

Difficulty: E — medium hiking level
Length: 10.5 km
Walking time: 4–6 hours
Elevation gain: 600 m
Elevation loss: 180 m

The Iron Route

From Monasterace, where coins were found in ancient Kaulonia, our journey begins in search of the treasures of industrial archaeology: mining villages, mine entrances, mining museums, fountains and mills. – We will follow the Stilaro and Allaro fiumare, climb the slopes of Mount Consolino and Mount Mammicomito, and venture deep into the Stilo Woods, with the astonishing Ferdinandea, before continuing into the Calabrian Woods («Serre») as far as Mongiana. – The stages are: Monasterace, Stilo, Pazzano and Mongiana. A journey into wonder.

Length: 50 km — and 2,000 years of history
Guided tours: contact our guides

Coast to Coast: The Norman Way

This magnificent route connects the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Ionian Sea, crossing no fewer than 15 villages. – We describe it starting from Monasterace and heading west, all the way to the lighthouse of Capo Vaticano. Along the way, you will find every kind of wonder: waterfalls, the ruins of foundries and convents, medieval villages, archaeological sites, sanctuaries, caves and laure — the hermit caves once used by Basilian monks. It is a true immersion in history and biodiversity.

Length: 163.5 km
Stages: 8
Mode: on foot or by bike
Traveller’s Passport

Archaeological Itinerary along the Jasmine Coast

From Stilo to Reggio Calabria, this itinerary unfolds in 10 unforgettable stages, in search of pre-Hellenic remains, Greek temples, Roman villas and Byzantine places of worship, with many fascinating leaps forward into the Middle Ages. – The stages are: Stilo, the Kaulon Archaeological Park in Monasterace, the Roman Theatre and Roman Villa in Gioiosa Jonica, Gerace, the Locri Archaeological Park, Portigliola, the Roman Villa of Casignana, and the ghost village of Brancaleone Vetus. – The journey ends in Reggio Calabria, in front of the extraordinary Riace Bronzes, preserved at the National Archaeological Museum.

Spirit of the East in the West: the Laure of Locride

For those who love nature and spirituality, we recommend setting out in search of the caves where the Basilian hermits once lived and prayed: the laure. We like to begin from the sublime Cattolica di Stilo, a perfect blend of art and spirituality. From here, the main stops are certainly the Laura della Pastorella, the Laura di Sant’Angelo and the Laura of the Blessed Ambrose and Nicholas.But bear in mind that on Mount Consolino alone there are at least 16 of them! Happy exploring!

Our local guides

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Contacts:
Trekking Stilaro Experience
Piazza Luigi Carnovale, Stilo (RC)
Facebook - escursioni@trekkingstilaro.org
+39 333 8205164