Total Distance: 62,4 Km

 

This route guides the cycle tourist from the Tyrrhenian coast to the first bastions of the Pollino Mountain, crossing the Noce Valley and the Mercure Valley.

The more involving and concrete aspect of this trip is the natural one. The departure is from Fiumicello in Maratea; from here we reach the high Maratea historical centre, where it is possible to observe the wonderful churches and chapels, with beautiful gates in dug stone.

As the street gains height a substantial change of the landscape, from marine to mountainous, is felt. We arrive at Trecchina, a pleasant village of Basilicata situated at the foot of the Coccovello Mountain, in a wonderful mountainous scenery, where the view is opened towards the Noce Valley and the top of Sirino. After crossing the village we go to Lauria and we pass through the Inferior quarter, characterized by an agglomeration of houses and, more ahead, through the Superior quarter called ‘the Castle’ for the ruins of an old small fort. Descending height we reach Castelluccio Inferiore, a suggestive village with traditional still visible typologies, open galleries and arcades.

Going far from the inhabited area we go on towards Rotonda, where the ‘Ente Parco Nazionale del Pollino’ is lodged into the Amato Palace, which is considered as a good health-resort for its wholesome air.

This important destination is the deserved reward of a stage which has begun in the wonderful frame of Maratea and has ended at the incomparable scenery of the Pollino.