December, 2017
Trekking in the Calabrian snow? Sure, why not when you’re in southern Italy…
Getting there
With an invitation to join friends on a trek in the mountains on this winter’s day, how can anyone refuse?
Unless you have a car, it’s pretty tricky to catch public transport from Cosenza to where we are headed today, in the beautiful Sila National Park.
The drive from Cosenza to Monte Scuro in the mountains takes about forty-five minutes.
You can expect about a 10-degree variance in temperature from Cosenza to the mountains. Today’s forecast is for definite snow of around 20 centimetres.
Wearing two pairs of socks, beanie, gloves, full thermals, scarf, a couple of woollen layers, a minus eighteen-degree down jacket, layered with another minus ten-degree down jacket, I’m prepared. Not to mention, armed with chocolate, almonds, Jaffa biscuits, Panini, and water for the trek – all’s well with the world.
Overkill? Never!
Our destination: The Sila National Park
I’ve written scatterings in previous posts about this stunning part of Calabria but today, is going to be different. This will be a total immersion in the mountains during the winter, in the heart of the Sila National Park – whilst it’s snowing, heavily.

Diverse pristine woods and mountains make up the five-hundred-thousand hectares of the Sila National Park, which spans over the Cosenza, Crotone, and Catanzaro provinces in Calabria. The Sila is one of Italy’s oldest national parks.
Really hope to also catch a glimpse of Il Lupo (wolf) today, which is the ever-illusive presence that makes this a mysterious animal and legend amongst these mountains.
With so many activities available to nature lovers in summer and winter, the Sila is a popular spot for locals, nationals, and the occasional ‘lost’ foreign tourist.

A chilly stroll in the snow
Leaving the cars parked on the side of the road, we head for the panoramic snow-ladened Strada delle Vette (road of the peaks), which is the start of the trek.
This road stretches about thirteen kilometres and descends right down into Lorica eventually using the ski lift, which we’re not visiting today.

Although there is quite a lot of fresh snow about already with about thirty centimetres on the road we’re walking on, the snow is much deeper off-road and to the sides.
It’s still snowing now and doesn’t look like stopping anytime soon.

Icy air bites our faces as we walk amongst postcard surrounds of pure fresh whiteness fit for a Christmas card.

This is a stunning region and reminds me a lot of the vistas you experience when trekking in the Tatras Mountains in Poland in Zakopane – another beautiful European region.

The deep silence whilst walking at this height of over 1,600 metres, surrounded by gorgeous tall Pine and Beech woodland is not only relaxing and calming, but also helps to still your mind.

Nature is wonderful for clearing your head.

Walking along this road in the snow mostly with ease although sometimes slipping, overall this is not a difficult trek, even at this height and on undulating slopes.

With worsening weather, the thunder grows louder and the occasional lighting is seen in the distance, whilst pushing ahead through this pristine park.

A collective decision is made to walk for another half-hour before stopping for a Panini of course then heading back.

I never knew that thunder and lightning occurs simultaneously whilst it’s snowing heavily…I have a lot to learn about snow conditions, clearly.

If continuing on this elevated trek, you will arrive at Monte Curcio, which is around 1,788 metres and where the ski lifts are, then on to Monte Botte Donato at around 1,939 metres. Both are located in the Sila Grande with Monte Botte Donato as the highest peak in the Sila’s plateau.

Although today isn’t the day to reach the scenic lookout of the three peaks (Monte Scuro, Monte Curcio, and Monte Botte Donato), it’s still an excellent trek with great friends, laughs, and about 9 kilometres covered during the round-trip and by the time we return to the restaurant.
Great exercise trudging in the snow regardless of whether we push ahead in blizzard conditions – exaggerating, but it is snowing heavily intermittently. Sometimes, it stops long enough for a selfie…

Back to warmth
After our little jaunt in the snow and feeling quite energetic but cold, it’s time to head for the warmth.
Apart from your car, the only place close by is a lovely inviting restaurant, come haven.
Ristorante Rifugio Montescuro
All that awaits you when arriving in Monte Scuro is the Ristorante Rifugio Montescuro and a little distance from this restaurant is a hotel.
Knocking the snow from our boots and dusting off more snow from our clothes, opening the door pushes a warm draft across your face and body, whilst entering the restaurant.
An open stoned fire place blazes a glowing and inviting warmth in the large room, which is surrounded by many patrons escaping the cold.
At the back of the restaurant, a massive intricate mural of a wolf is painstakingly painted on the wall – just beautiful.

Finding our place in a corner at the lovely rustic wooden tables and benches, thick chocolate Fondente, hot drinks, Panini, and a little alcohol to warm the cockles of our hearts, is the flavour of the day.
Great service in this very cosy restaurant.
Leaving the mountains
After scraping the ice and snow off the cars, we are off again and return to Cosenza for more warming drinks. It’s still quite icy out but descending down to Cosenza, the temperature quickly creeps back up from -2C to 5 degrees C, so much more civilised.
Can’t wait for another adventure trek in the Sila as there is so much to see in this gorgeous national park. What better way to enjoy a trek than with friends?
Visit Nilla’s Photography for more images. More posts on Italy at Image Earth Travel.

For a moment, I thought that you were talking about the Italian Alps..
The presence of snow in the Southern Part of Italy is quite (pleasantly.. 🙂 ) flabbergasting.. Glad that you could enjoy and trek amidst thick snow..!!
Calabria is throwing up surprises one after the other.. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a very unknown region of Italy to foreigners.
The Sila National Park is gorgeous and yes, Calabria gets a snow season. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely..!! What else can a traveler ask for..
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog! I hope you will stop by mine as well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you and I will definitely stop by and check your blog out.
LikeLike
Hi! This is a very insightful post and I really liked it. Please follow my blog at https://savagestyledotblog.wordpress.com/. I’m an aspiring writer and any feedback/follows would be wonderful! Thank you and happy posting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, thank you and I’ve checked out your site also. 😉
LikeLike
Love the post so much , love reading how you have described it. Keep it up 💕
Also Please check out my latest post on How to travel Like a Pro –
https://sunainadasblog.wordpress.com/2018/01/16/travel-like-a-pro-delsey-luggage/
Hope you will like it ❤️
Xoxo,
Sunaina
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks you and I’ve checked out your post – chic luggage you travel with!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Boulder is not far from us. Yes, it is lovely here in winter, but fall, spring and summer are pretty good too! Lots of great outdoor activities for all seasons. You’ll have to come back in winter if you like skiing.
LikeLike
Thanks for the heads up! I’ve only tried skiing once in my life and after about an hour and a half of trying to teach myself how to ski but landing on my butt in the snow, I gave up and went for a Hot Toddy in front of the fireplace instead. 😉
LikeLike
Very cool post! I’ve never been to Italy, but this looks like a hike you’d find in my home of Colorado. I am like you…bundle up! Coincidentally, I just read a post of a guy who hikes in the winter barefoot and shirtless! Crazy!! I look forward to following you. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for commenting!
I was sent from Australia to Boulder, Colorado for work back in 2011, for 2 weeks, but it was the wrong time of year for snow. I bet it’s stunning there in the winter.
Look forward to reading your posts also. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This certainly seems like a great place to visit, and I’ve only heard great things from those who have spent some time there. From the stories they’ve shared, it sounds like it a very warm culture and the people are friendly and welcoming. Thanks for sharing with us and happy traveling!
Share your adventure with us and earn money. Check out our site to see how you can become a featured writer.
http://themixedbagtravel.com/luxembourg-city-worth-the-stop/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your feedback, however, these are my stories I am sharing not other feature writers.
If you would like to share my link on your site, then I’m happy for you to do so. 🙂
LikeLike
LOOKS FANTASTIC, GREAT POST
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! We had a wonderful time in the snow. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on LIFE STORY'S FROM LINCOLN.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks for the re-blog. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah snow, I feel nostalgic. Beautiful photographs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Inese – it’s definitely a beautiful region.
Hope you’ve had a wonderful Christmas. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Snowless, but nice anyway 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have eaten too much and seriously need to diet now! Maybe another trek in the snow. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, to gain appetite 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice BLOG!!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
As a Finn, I must confess, that it looks like real winter. I will start next year my winter photos and until them summer photos. Have a wonderful day!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks! I can’t wait to see your winter photos. I loved Finland when I backpacked there back in 1985 – stunning country!
LikeLike
Wow. 1985! Our country has changed, but landscapes not.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yeah, showing my age. 😉
I solo-backpacked around the world for almost 12 months. I’m glad to hear the landscape hasn’t changed as in some countries I’ve returned to, the landscape is now scarred – very sad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Age is just number.
Maybe You have checked my About me
and thus understand that I am senior citizen, but active one. LOL.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ha, ha I already checked out your About page ages ago and remember about you 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank You. When You were in Finland, where did You visit? Maybe I have photos from those, because I have made many road trips around Finland. Merry Christmas.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I took a ferry from Copenhagen to Turku. Then a train north to Oulu and across into Sweden, and down to Stockholm. I couldn’t stay long as it was too expensive on Australian dollars. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and 2018! 🙂
LikeLike
Wow. Oulu was the key word! We love Oulu! It is one of my favorite town in Finland. If You do not mind, I show the beach of Nallikari (Oulu) in summer and winter.
Arctic beach in Summer.
Arctic beach in Winter.
The difference is huge! In the beginning of next year I will post my second post presenting biking in winter in Oulu. Later reindeers.
Matti
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Matti. It’s been such a long time since I was there that I need to read my travel journal again, which is in storage in Australia.
I love the photos of the different seasons in your 2 posts and look forward to seeing the biking post photos.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fantastic photo’s, but I will visit during warming days 😉
XxX
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you for the feedback! Ha, ha, very true and when you do, stop by in Cosenza for a visit. 😉 x
LikeLiked by 1 person
I certainly will…maybe next year, but first I am planning a trip to Indonesia with my father Spring 2018 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Look forward to meeting you next year.
Wow, I haven’t been to Indonesia since travelling there for about 4 months back in 1998 – you’ll have a blast! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope so…with the volcano at Bali and the recent earthquake in and around Jakarta, I am a bit worried 😉 However, the plan is to explore my roots there, so still looking forward to go and see for myself where my grandparents lived 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wow, which part of Indonesia did your grandparents live?
I wouldn’t worry about recent occurrences as these can happen anytime, anywhere…we’d never leave our house if we thought about these things for too long. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, that’s what I figured too, Nilla. So definitely will go 😉 My biological father was born in Jakarta, so that’s were my grandparents lived. I also intend to find out were the Japanese held Indonesian captured and visit that part, since it played a big roll in my grandfathers life.
The father (I have three 🙂 I go with, was born in The Netherlands, but has still family in Jakarta. But he wants also to take me to the hot springs at Bali and other places. I have to temper his enthusiasm however, since I can’t get away too long…
LikeLiked by 3 people
Wow, what an amazing story and one which I’d be interested to read if you write about it…let me know.
Although I picked up a little Bahasa Indonesian, I’ve forgotten most of it, travelling back then, and over to Kalimantan, not a lot of locals in village spoke English. I remember staying in Surabaya for a few days, which was graced with many beautiful Dutch buildings back then, but I suspect much has changed.
You’ll have an amazing time and look forward to reading your about your experience there. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I need to visit Sila in the winter time. I like the idea that I can go for the day to enjoy the snow and then run back to Cosenza leaving the snow behind hahaha.
LikeLiked by 5 people
Yes, it’s so beautiful in the winter but maybe hailing from Canada, it’s a normal scenery for you? Nonetheless, it is a stunning region and you should try and go at least for the day. 🙂
LikeLike
Yes, we often get quite a bit of snow in Canada. I miss the snow only when I don’t have to deal with it to go to work haha.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, much more than southern Italy. You’ll definitely have to head up into the Sila for your snow fix…
LikeLike
Wow. It looks amazing and for some reason I think it never snows in those regions. How wonderful to have all that close to where you live. 🙂
LikeLiked by 5 people
Everyone thinks of southern Italy as hot all year round as it’s in the Med.
We’re pretty much at sea leave in Cosenza and it snowed here in January (winter) this year, so yep, it gets pretty cold. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Quite an adventure. The key is good shoes and very warm ski/mountain clothes. 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
Indeed it is, but that’s usually not enough for me so I layer up loads then remove layers during the trek.
LikeLiked by 1 person
👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
I never new that it can thunderstorm when snowing, how interesting. Looks like a wonderful place to explore
LikeLiked by 5 people
I thought it strange also but coming from the Southern Hemisphere and only visiting our snow fields once, I clearly don’t have in-depth knowledge of weather in the snow. Those with me from the Northern Hemisphere didn’t think this was strange, so there you go. 🙂
LikeLike
Great photos of your lovely trek. I’ve usually stayed along the coast in the winter, but you’ve made the winter hiking very attractive. (Come to think of it, I’ve been to Zakopane a couple of times, too, but always in warm, sunny weather.)
LikeLiked by 6 people
Thank you but not all photos are mine. It’s a beautiful part of Calabria, which you must see.
My photos of Zakopane are much better as I tool these with The Beast (Nikon full frame camera) that weighs 3kgs.
LikeLike
It’s snowing here in the Nethelands as well✌❄
LikeLiked by 5 people
Must look beautiful over your way Kenneth! 🙂
LikeLike
Cool 🙂 Okay seriously, it does look like lots of fun. Love the Italian look Nilla 🙂 Your photos confirm that it is indeed fun to get out even when it is cold and snowing!!
LikeLiked by 5 people
Hey Suzanne, for some strange reason your comment went into my WP spam folder – how rude.
Yes, Italians certainly know how to do things in style and with style, as I’ve mentioned before. We had a great day and a lot of fun and laughs.
BTW I’m trying out this advertising thingy on my site so let me know what you think. I have no say as to where an ad is placed, which is annoying but there you go… 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, how rude of you to put me in the spam folder 🙂 Okay will check will go and check it out and let you know.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m not sure why WP did that, it’s very strange.
LikeLike
You can’t tell them not to do it that way?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nope, I can’t tell them anything.
If you run a WordPress.org (self-hosted) site, I believe you can places the ads where you want them but not on this site, even though I pay for Premium.
LikeLike
I have to upgrade as I have very little storage left! So are you getting paid for having the adverts on your blog?. As the unpaid one, the ads are there automatically. Usually at the end of the post
LikeLiked by 2 people
Nothing yet and it will probably be some time and a pittance, but maybe over time it may pay for my WP yearly fee. 🙂
Check out the WordAds on your WP Dashboard site. Message me if you’d like the links or more information. Not sure if it’s slowed down my Home page load and my actual post page speed though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Don’t ask me about uploading speed etc, slow internet or no internet. The joys of changing abodes on a regular basis, not that we are complaining as we are staying in a holiday home owned by a lovely family we housesit for.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha, ha we only notice when it’s slow, not when it’s quick.
LikeLike
On your blog, it is amongst your posts which is a rather strange place for it to be. No doubt hoping that people will open their link instead of your post? The advert on your individual post is above your heading which I missed first time around. At least you don’t have pop ups!! Those things are so annoying! Will be interested to see how you go with the advertising.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, I’ve seen where WP pushes the ads to and although it’s annoying, I don’t have a say. I’ll test it for a few months and see how it goes and let you know if it helps. 🙂
LikeLike
I don’t usually think of Italy and snow together. Your photos are gorgeous and I can quite understand why you were wearing so many layers.
LikeLiked by 6 people
I never either, especially this far south…until I experienced my first winter here 2016/2017 and it snowed in Cosenza, the city I’m living in at the moment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow so white! I love the snowy pictures there is always something special in them. It`s been snowing quite a lot today in London but I don`t think the temperature is below 0 so everything will melt very soon.
LikeLiked by 6 people
I love it also as it’s so pristine and stunning – quite surreal!
Wow, it’s going to be a cold winter in Europe then…I can see snow on the hills from my balcony, which is a tad early from last year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good info!
LikeLiked by 5 people
Thank you and glad you enjoyed this post.
LikeLiked by 1 person