La Sila
The green heart of Calabria, among centuries-old forests, crystal clear lakes, imposing mountains and authentic villages ideal for excursions and adventures.
La Sila
and its Giants
Sila, considered one of the places with the cleanest air in the world, is a vast plateau of the Calabrian Apennines, stretching 150,000 hectares across the provinces of Cosenza, Crotone and Catanzaro, subdivided from north to south into Sila Greca, Sila Grande and Sila Piccola and characterised by the presence of various mountain peaks, plateaus, dense wooded areas and highland artificial lakes.
There are many natural beauties of this immense plateau, which also contains the Sila National Park, established on 14 November 2002, the first among the natural parks in Calabria, among the first five national parks founded in Italy.
In the Sila National Park, animal and plant species live in harmony and together form one of the most significant biodiversity heritages in the Mediterranean area, which also contains protected species (e.g. the famous Sila wolf, which has become the park’s symbol).
Among the various attractions in Sila is the Park’s historic, evocative and exciting steam train that crosses part of Sila Grande in an absolutely marvellous setting. Entirely immersed in the heart of the mountain, it is an experience worth trying.
The Sila Plateau offers an unforgettable experience of lakes, forests and outdoor activities. We discover Lake Ampollino, Lorica, the mysterious Lake Ariamacina and the vast Lake Cecita, with the Cupone Centre. Lake Ampollino, is an artificial lake, located at 1280 metres above sea level in the Silan forests, at the foot of Mount Montenero (1881 m) and Mount Gariglione (1765 m). Created between 1916 and 1927 by the construction of a dam, it is surrounded by a landscape of rare beauty that fascinates visitors and locals alike.
Not to be missed is the evocative and fascinating wood of the Sila Giants: trees up to 45 metres tall, with a trunk 2 metres wide and an extraordinary age of 350 years, witnesses of the ancient Sila Forests. A more than 100-year-old forest with over 60 specimens of larch pines and sycamore maples planted in the 17th century by the Mollo Barons, owners of the nearby Casino, donated to the FAI in 2016.
