There are journeys you take with your legs, and others you take with your heart. This one does both crossing mountains, forests, valleys, and villages by pedal power, while also reaching into the soul of southern Italy. A place where nature is still untamed, traditions run deep, and time moves slowly.
Over the course of four immersive days, you’ll travel from Laino Borgo to Sibari Station, riding through the Pollino National Park, visiting stunning mountain viaducts, tiny Arbëreshë (Italo-Albanian) villages, and taking in jaw-dropping views of the Ionian Sea. From San Severino Lucano to San Paolo Albanese, Plataci, and finally Villapiana, this is more than just a cycling itinerary, it’s an emotional and cultural adventure through some of the most authentic corners of Calabria and Basilicata.
Laino Borgo (Cs)
09:30 am
Available year-round, depending on weather conditions.
Our tour begins in the charming village of Laino Borgo, with the meeting point at the town’s main square.
If the group requires a pick-up and transfer service, we will be happy to arrange it upon request for an additional cost, ensuring maximum convenience for all participants.
✅ Booking Confirmation: A 30% deposit is required to confirm the tour. The remaining balance is due 50 days before departure.
❌ Cancellation Policy:
💳 Payment Methods: Bank transfer or credit card.
Your journey begins in Laino Borgo, a mountain village cradled between the hills and rivers of Calabria’s Pollino side. Almost immediately, the road rises gently but steadily along the scenic Strada Provinciale 4, a winding route that cuts through dense forest and leads toward some of the area’s most iconic features: the Laino Borgo/Castrovillari viaduct, offering a stunning overlook of the Lao River gorge, and shortly after, the awe-inspiring Lagonegro/Castrovillari viaduct, a marvel of engineering suspended above canyons and rock walls.
With every turn, the landscape shifts: ancient beech forests give way to high pastures and snow-capped peaks in the colder months, while summer reveals sun-kissed ridgelines and grazing sheep. After a day immersed in nature and silence, you reach the enchanting village of San Severino Lucano, perched on a plateau and surrounded by dramatic scenery. Your overnight stay is at Villa Gorghe, an elegant retreat where wood, stone, and warm hospitality create a peaceful mountain atmosphere. The evening continues with a typical dinner at “La Tana del Lupo”, a rustic inn serving rich, local cuisine—hearty stews, wild game, mountain cheeses, and oven-baked bread that tells the story of this land.
After a nourishing breakfast, you set off for Terranova del Pollino, pedaling along one of the most spectacular stretches of the entire tour. The climb is steady, gaining elevation up to 1,200 meters above sea level, and rewards every effort with expansive views and the quiet majesty of the mountains.
In some sections, the forest parts to reveal a rare treasure: the Loricate Pine (Pinus heldreichii), a unique, ancient species that grows only in this region. With their gnarled trunks and windswept silhouettes, these trees have become iconic symbols of the Pollino Park—a presence as mysterious as it is enduring.
At the end of the stage, thanks to the included minivan transfer, the group is brought to San Paolo Albanese, the smallest town in Basilicata, but one with a vibrant cultural soul. Here, the Arbëreshë identity descendants of Albanian exiles who settled in Italy in the 15th century, is alive and thriving. You’ll hear the bilingual signage, notice murals depicting Albanian folklore, and feel the pride of a community that has held on to its roots.
Overnight stay is at B&B Katoqui, a beautiful residence built in traditional style. But the highlight of the day is yet to come: a cooking class and dinner featuring Arbëreshë cuisine. You’ll learn how to prepare age-old dishes like kulac, lakrorë, or wild herb-stuffed pasta, all in the warmth of a home-style kitchen where tradition is passed on through food and storytelling.
The third day starts with a breakfast of homemade delights and continues along a less demanding but incredibly scenic route toward Plataci, one of Calabria’s most beloved Arbëreshë villages. Nestled high in the hills, Plataci is a treasure trove of living tradition. The Arbëreshë language is still spoken here—not just by the elders, but by schoolchildren and shopkeepers alike. It’s a place where history and identity are part of daily life.
Your accommodation tonight is at the Rifugio Radura del Grano, a rustic mountain lodge surrounded by chestnut trees and rolling hills. After time to rest and refresh, the evening becomes a celebration of taste and community with a wine-tasting dinner at La Piccola Bottega del Gusto. Here, you’ll sample local dishes paired with the award-winning Stamati Winery selections—bold reds, aromatic whites, and stories that rise from the soil of the Pollino hills. It’s a multisensory journey that connects palate to place.
The final ride of your adventure is pure poetry. The route takes you across panoramic highlands that overlook the sweeping Sibari Plain, offering cinematic views of the Gulf of Rossano-Corigliano. With every kilometer, the air warms, the vegetation shifts, and the sea grows closer, shimmering on the horizon like a promise.
At the end of the ride, you reach Villapiana, a charming coastal town where you’ll enjoy a well-deserved seafood lunch—a joyful celebration of your descent from the mountains to the Ionian shore. But before saying goodbye, there’s one last treat: a stop at the famous Barbarossa Gelateria, a temple of artisan gelato known for its bold, Calabrian flavors—fig, almond, citrus, pistachio, bergamot.
From here, it’s just a short ride to Sibari train station, where your journey ends. Not just a cycling tour, but a deep exploration of identity, silence, tradition, and the untamed spirit of the southern Apennines. One that lingers long after the last pedal stroke.
