Sentiero Italia Cycling – Calabria

The Calabria section of the Sentiero Italia cycling route strings together wild mountains and both coasts. Expect a mix of quiet country roads, farm tracks, and proper trail, with plenty of climbing and long, fast descents. A capable gravel bike or hardtail MTB is ideal. Highlights include the Sila plateaus, the Serre and Aspromonte ranges, chestnut forests, hill towns, and big Ionian–Tyrrhenian views. Surfaces swing from smooth asphalt to rough dirt and ground; after rain, some sections can get muddy. Services cluster in villages, so plan water and food between towns. Signal can be spotty in the hills—bring offline maps and a light for tunnels or shaded forestry roads. Spring and autumn are the sweet spot (cooler temps, clear air). Summer gets hot at lower elevations; winter can bring snow up high. This collection covers multiple stages—dip in for day rides around specific areas or stitch together a full traverse if you’ve got the legs. You’ll hit the occasional busy connector near larger towns, so early starts help. Respect park rules and share the trail with hikers and local traffic. If you’re into remote gravel, Mediterranean scenery, and serious vertical, you’ll love it.