ospitalita - Terre Jonicosilane

Nature and TerritoryThe Silan Plateau is the widest in Europe. It spreads for150.000 hectares and some of its highest peaks rangesfrom 1000 metres a.s.l. to 1900 of Mount Botte Donato.It includes a territory which spreads between theTyrrhenian and Ionian Seas and it is characterize by amild climate thanks to the sea. Conventionally dividedinto Greek Sila, Great Sila and Small Sila, it representsthe older Calabrian National Park, placed in the first fivepositions in Italy, and it was founded in 1968 under thename of National Park of Calabria in order to preservethe environment and the bio-diversity. In particular,Greek Sila is included between the Sibari Plain, GreatSila and the area around Crotone. It is dominated by theSilan massif, by Mounts Paleparto and Altare (1480 m.),by Serra della Castagna (1310 m.) and by Colle d’Avri(1200 m.) which enclose the area just like a crown. Atopthese mounts, the landscapes stretches until the gulf in Corigliano,the Sibari Plain and the Pollino ridge. It is possibleto enjoy the sight of Mount Scuro, the Tyrrhenian coast andthe northern side of Crotone area. There are several streamsshaping the territory by creating breathtaking canyons, falls,lakes and beaches. There are many itineraries which startamong slopes and climbs, along the river beds and the mazeof recessed falls – for the pleasure of “current lovers”, deepnatural lakes to swim cross in their green and blue waters,calcareous blocks and steps, marls, granites, phyllites andtravertines which sometimes are whitened by the sun or enclosedin a thick vegetation rich in humidity just like in the11rainforests. The geologically heterogeneous slopes of GreekSila crumble because of water erosion and of bad weatherconditions, in so creating a typical river landscape, gravelavalanches and debris sedimentation. Woody areas are richin monumental pine, turkey oak and chestnuts trees, mildfalls and endless green stretches which are interrupted onlyby the villages located on the mountain slopes or on the ridgesstretching towards the sea. In this areas fauna in blooming,thanks also to the long-lasting activity for preservingand protecting the natural habitat.Escusione nelle gole del TriontoWalking tour in the Trionto gorges