F.A.Q.

F.A.Q.

Frequently asked questions

The Serre Regional Nature Park is a protected area in Calabria that safeguards an important natural, scenic, historical and cultural heritage. Its territory takes in woods, mountains, watercourses, waterfalls, wetlands, villages, museums, religious sites, industrial archaeology sites and local traditions.

Visiting the Park means discovering a territory rich in biodiversity, striking landscapes and communities that still preserve the knowledge, crafts and identity of the Calabrian mountains.

The Park lies in the heart of Calabria and covers land across the provinces of Vibo Valentia, Catanzaro and Reggio Calabria. It is an inland area of mountain ranges, valleys, woods, seasonal torrents and small towns.

Its position makes it possible to combine nature, culture and spirituality in a single visit: from the woods of the Serre to historic villages, from sanctuaries to museums, from mountain trails to river landscapes.

In the Park you can visit nature trails, woods, waterfalls, panoramic viewpoints, historic villages, museums, religious sites, cultural sites and areas of natural interest.

Among the most representative destinations are the Marmarico Waterfall, the Archiforo forest, Serra San Bruno, the Charterhouse, Santa Maria del Bosco, Mongiana, Ferdinandea, Lake Angitola, Lake Lacina and many walking routes deep in the countryside.

The Park offers a range of activities linked to nature, culture and slow tourism. The main ones include walking excursions, trekking, nature walks, horse riding, guided tours, nature photography, plant and wildlife watching, birdwatching, cycle tourism, educational activities, environmental workshops and sustainability education programmes at the Rosarella Environmental Education Visitor Centre.

The Park also offers the chance to discover villages, museums, places of spirituality, local traditions, typical produce, crafts and evidence of the area’s history. Some activities may require a qualified guide, specific authorisation or a prior check on local conditions.

The Park offers routes of varying difficulty. Some are straightforward and suitable for walkers with basic fitness, while others call for greater training, experience and proper equipment.

Before setting out it is advisable to check the length, elevation gain, walking time, difficulty, trail surface, weather conditions and recommended season. If in doubt, contact the Park Authority, the visitor centres or a qualified guide.

It is not always compulsory, but going with a guide is strongly recommended for anyone unfamiliar with the area, and for organised groups, schools, families, first-time visitors and the longer or more demanding routes.

A guide makes for a safer and more rewarding visit, helping people to read the landscape, recognise plant and animal species, understand the history of these places and respect the rules that protect the area.

Yes. The Park is an ideal setting for educational activities, guided tours, environmental workshops, field trips and programmes exploring the area. Activities can focus on biodiversity, woodland, water, wildlife, plant life, geology, sustainability, villages and local traditions. The Park has its own Rosarella Environmental Education Visitor Centre, aimed above all at schools.

For large groups, schools and associations it is best to plan the visit in advance, agreeing on the route, duration, learning objectives, level of difficulty and practical arrangements.

Pets may come along, provided the rules on environmental protection and safety are respected. They should always be kept on a lead, kept from disturbing wildlife, and never let loose in the woods, in areas used by other visitors or near pastures and sensitive sites.

Before visiting, please check whether specific restrictions apply to particular trails or areas of the Park.

For a hike in the Park you should wear walking boots or footwear suited to the trails, comfortable clothing in layers, a hat and a waterproof jacket, and carry water, snacks, a charged phone, a small torch, a basic first-aid kit and a map or GPS track of the route.

In the warmer months it is important to protect yourself from the sun and carry enough water. In cold weather or at altitude, allow for lower temperatures, wind, damp and sudden changes in the weather.

In the Park it is important to keep to the waymarked trails, take your litter home, not light fires where this is not permitted, not damage plants, flowers, rocks or structures, not disturb wild animals and not pick protected plant species.

It is also good practice to be considerate towards other visitors, local communities and the traditional activities carried on in the area. A visit to the Park should be an experience of discovery, but also of responsibility.

Yes, nature and landscape photography is one of the best ways to discover the Park. It is important, though, to photograph without disturbing wildlife, without leaving the trails in sensitive areas and without damaging natural environments or cultural assets.

Professional filming, commercial productions, the use of drones and organised activities may require specific authorisation from the competent authorities.

In some areas and along certain routes you can go cycle touring or mountain biking, always with due regard for safety, for other users and for the nature of the trails.

Before setting off, check whether your chosen route is suitable for a bike and whether it includes technical sections, demanding gradients, rough surfaces or any restrictions. Protecting the environment and keeping both walkers and riders safe must always come first.

Yes. Where suitable areas or equipped facilities exist, you can stop for a break or a picnic. It is essential to leave the place clean, take all your litter away, not light fires outside permitted areas and respect the quiet of the surroundings.

Even a simple stop calls for care: the Park is a fragile environment, and every considerate action helps to preserve it.

The Park can be visited all year round, but spring, summer and autumn are the best seasons for hikes, walks, visits to the villages and outdoor activities.

In spring you can see the blossom and habitats rich in biodiversity; in summer the woods offer cool and shade; in autumn the landscape takes on colour and becomes especially striking for walking, photography and slow tourism. In winter some areas can be colder, wetter or harder to get around: it is always worth checking before you set out.

For up-to-date information, see the official website of the Serre Regional Nature Park, the Park Authority’s social media channels, the visitor centres and the announcements published in the news, events, trails and activities sections.

Before planning a visit it is always worth checking the weather, whether the trails are passable, any notices in force, scheduled events and whether booking is required for guided activities or organised groups.

There is no single entrance to the Park: the best way in depends on where you are heading.

To reach the heart of the Park — Serra San Bruno, the Charterhouse, Santa Maria del Bosco, the Archiforo forest, Mongiana and Ferdinandea — come in from the Tyrrhenian side, leaving the A2 del Mediterraneo motorway at the Vazzano exit.

To explore the Ionian and Reggio side — Stilo, Bivongi, the Stilo forest, the Stilaro valley and the roads towards Monasterace — follow the SS106 Jonica and head inland from the villages on the Ionian slope.

Groups, schools and visitors who do not know the area should plan the route in advance, choosing the access point closest to their destination and allowing for travel times, parking, road conditions and the season.