Starting from Gasperi Refuge takes place the Ruggio plain circumnavigation is completed, crossing beechwoods, areas with evident karstic phenomena, pastures with plentiful blooms in spring. Of considerable interest is the contrast of colors between the beechwoods and the Loricati Pines in autumn. Also suitable in winter for an easy excursion in snowshoes.

Starting from the De Gasperi Refuge, you always walk covered by the beechwood. Crossing an area full of sinkholes, where nocturnal raptors often hide. The beechwood has few, but interesting specimens of holly, yew and silver fir: these are relics of a more consistent presence in the past. The Timpa dell’Orso is a rocky crag projected onto the Mercure Valley, an ancient lake basin. Climbing towards the peak of Cozzo Ferriero you will encounter majestic specimens of beech. In particular, near the peak there is an untouched and pure beechwood.

It could be a recent colonization that occurred following the area perturbation or the global warming. From the peaks of Cozzo Ferriero and Coppola di Paola you can enjoy a 360 ° view on the Calabrian and Lucanian slopes, with a view up to the Ionian Sea and the entire mountain range. Going down to Colle del Dragone you can reach the small and fresh Caballa source before reaching Piano Ruggio.

The largest number of massive specimens of this tree lives on the “Serra delle Ciavole”. With their twisted shapes acquired throughout millennia challenging the natural elements, each of them represents a true natural monument. The view towards the east and the Pollino plains is wonderful. Along the path you will encounter rocks incorporating the “rudists”, fossil remains of molluscs that are now extinct. In the beechwood, if you look closely you can see some silver fir: above Piano di Vacquarro, a specimen about 40 m long, unfortunately crashed to the ground a few decades ago. It reaches an altitude of 2000 m
a.s.l. crossing interesting beechwoods, the secondary grasslands of the Pollino plains with small lakes on the Eocene flysh inhabited by “ululoni” and salamanders. Ideal habitat of the kestrel, hare, rock partridge. Interesting is a “bonsai” silver fir outside the area at an altitude of 2000 m and some “snake beechwoods”.

The largest number of massive specimens of this tree lives on the “Serra delle Ciavole”. With their twisted shapes acquired throughout millennia challenging the natural elements, each of them represents a true natural monument. The view towards the east and the Pollino plains is wonderful. Along the path you will encounter rocks incorporating the “rudists”, fossil remains of molluscs that are now extinct.

In the beechwood, if you look closely you can see some silver fir: above Piano di Vacquarro, a specimen about 40 m long, unfortunately crashed to the ground a few decades ago. It reaches an altitude of 2000 m a.s.l. crossing interesting beechwoods, the secondary grasslands of the Pollino plains with small lakes on the Eocene flysh inhabited by “ululoni” and salamanders. Ideal habitat of the kestrel, hare, rock partridge. Interesting is a “bonsai” silver fir outside the area at an altitude of 2000 m and some “snake beechwoods”.

“Transfer” excursion: allows you to move from the west to the north side of the Park. It crosses part of the interesting beechwood-fir, full of ancient specimens of silver fir. Preferred environment of the black woodpecker, green woodpecker and other minor ones. Until Piano Jannace the path is traveled by the Rotondesi for the “theft” of the tree on the occasion of the celebration of Sant’Antonio. The “Monuments” are natural rock that vaguely resemble a megalithic monument. Near Pietra Castello the forest is enriched with botanical species such as aspen, Bosnian pine, rowan, mountain ash, prunus, and pyrus. Part of the path retraces the route of the Rueping, a Decauville railway, built at the beginning of the century to transport wood. The Fondo is a small lake that brings together karstic and glacial features, inhabited by numerous amphibious.

Reaching the top of the Pollino, the second highest mountain. Cross a beechwood destroyed by an avalanche in 1993. Aerial view of the rocky ridges inhabited by the “Pini Loricati”. This area is frequented by the Eagle and the Peregrine Falcon. It allows you to reach the oldest specimens of Loricato Pine in Pollinello (including “the patriarch”, 930 years old). You cross an area that has undergone a notable renewal of Loricati Pines. The difficulty of this route can be reduced by avoiding the ascent to the peak and / or walking it in reverse.

You reach the top of the Pollino, the second highest mountain. Cross a beechwood destroyed by an avalanche in 1993. Aerial view of the rocky ridges inhabited by the “Pini Loricati”. This area is frequented by the Eagle and the Peregrine Falcon. 

It allows you to reach the oldest specimens of Loricato Pine in Pollinello (including “the patriarch”, 930 years old). You cross an area that has undergone a notable renewal of Loricati Pines. The difficulty of this route can be reduced by avoiding the ascent to the peak and / or walking it in reverse.