The Aspromonte

The Aspromonte ( harsh rugged mountain): The route: Reggio di Calabria - Melito di Porto Salvo - Gambarie - Scilla - Villa San Giovanni - and back to Reggio.

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This itinerary starts from Reggio di Calabria and combines the beauties of the southern-most coast of Calabria with solitary panoramas of the Aspromonte massif. The route follows the SS 183 ( South via the town of Lazzaro) and returning to Reggio via Scilla. Approx. 144 km .

Stopping Points: Reggio di Calabria: Cathedral, castle, church of the Ottimati, national museum, town library, Roman baths, Greek walls, panorama; craftwork (iron, copper); regular ferry/boat and hydrofoil services to Messina (Sicily). Lazzaro: nearby, Madonna dell'Oleandro. Nearby, Lazzaro, immersion/scuba diving by ACS.

Melito di Porto Salvo: nearby, Pentadattilo, characteristic abandoned village on the steep slope of a rock crowned by five pinnacles from which the village takes its name.

Begaladi: church of San Teodoro

Gambarie: winter sports, panorama, mineral spas; chair lift to Puntone dello Scirocco; excursion to the Montalto peak; nearby, Cippo Garibaldi, sanctuary of Santa Maria di Polsi.

Scilla the pearl of Calabria: church of the Immacolata, church of San Rocco, castle; nearby, the Tremusa caves, Fondo Florio mineral spa.

Detours worth considering: The Greek communities of Condofuri - Roccaforte del Greco, Ghorio Roghudi & Roghudi (abandoned) .

Also to consider : A detour to the abandoned villages of Ghorio Roghudi and old Roghudi ( More on Roghudi in POI Reggio Calabria province section ).

Below: Typical sea bed - Reggio di Calabria beaches