Santo Stefano In Aspromonte

The resort town of Gambarie is located in the municipality of Santo Stefano In Aspromonte. The municipal area ranges from about 700 metres to more than 1,700 metres in elevation. Montalto is a landmark of the mountain landscape: at 1,956 metres, it is the highest peak in Aspromonte. Local activities include hiking trails of various lengths, nature experiences and historic sites.

Choose hiking trails and routes

The Sentiero della Biodiversità offers a clearly defined circular route: it is six kilometres long, of moderate difficulty, and runs between Gambarie and Cucullaro. It is also suitable for beginners. If you are looking for a shorter route, there is a trail of about one kilometre to the summit of Montalto. A bronze statue of Christ the Redeemer and a compass rose on a stone pedestal stand there.

Permanent orienteering courses start at Piazza Mangeruca in Gambarie and are suitable for families and young people. The Gambarie Bike Park comprises a network of natural trails that have been identified, marked and mapped by the municipality and are freely accessible. Weather and seasonal closures may affect operations. Alongside marked hikes, orienteering and mountain biking therefore offer different options to consider when planning a trip.

Forest, nature and winter

Faggetta del Benessere is a beech forest in Aspromonte National Park, suitable for walks and relaxation. The sensory trail network there is recognised by the CNR as a forest therapy station. Cucullaro is home to the Osservatorio della Biodiversità, an environmental education centre. Its focus is on the flora, fauna, habitats and ecosystems of Calabria, particularly those of Aspromonte National Park.

Hiking trail 110 leads from Gambarie to Santo Stefano in Aspromonte. This makes it possible to consider the trail and environmental education as two distinct aspects of the area. Bosco dei 5 Anelli is a sports trail for hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Gambarie is historically considered the first ski resort in southern Italy; this describes the town’s historical standing, not its current operating conditions.

Other nature experiences offer different highlights: Fantabosco – Bosco di Mezzo is a small oasis equipped for families and visitors. Il Bosco degli Artisti brings art and nature together. The Punto Bacio viewpoint is near the centre of Gambarie and offers views of Mount Etna and the Aeolian Islands. Forest, sports trail, art and views each appeal to different interests, without requiring the same kind of experience.

History and culture

The monumental complex of Santo Stefano In Aspromonte includes a nursery school, a library and a war memorial. Designed by Marcello Piacentini, the complex is built in the Palladian style. Near the entrance to the town, the ruins of the old Basilian monastery of San Giovanni in Castaneto are also visible. The Grotta di San Silvestro, also known locally as Cupola di San Silvestro, is a cave that once formed the apse of a Byzantine church and was later used by Basilian monks.

Local history also includes memorial sites and an annual festival. Garibaldi was stopped and wounded at the Cippo di Garibaldi in 1862. The annual Festa della Bandiera commemorates the first raising of the Italian tricolour in the village square on 29 August 1847. Together, these places and traditions offer a different way to explore the destination from hiking trails and forest: they draw attention to architectural history, past religious use and events in local history.

Discover more destinations: Cittanova, Palizzi, Bruzzano Zeffirio, Oliveto, Marina di San Lorenzo, Palmi, Gerace, Pentidattilo

For the broader travel overview: Reggio Calabria.