This hike allows you to immerse yourself in some of the most striking places in Lucania’s Pollino National Park. We are in the realm of loricate pine and extensive beech forests mixed with white spruce specimens, which soar through the forest and which we will find coexisting in the spectacular rock tooth of Pietra Castello. The monumental loricates in the Serretta della Porticella area are among the most beautiful in the entire Park.
The route also has historical value because of the route of the “Rueping” forestry company, which was granted a concession to exploit the resources of the area in the early 1900s.

Technical description:
From the Madonna del Pollino Shrine, take the path that leads to Piano Iannace, then, continuing westward, intercept the old Rueping trail, where there were some sleepers used at the time to The sliding of tipper cars pulled by small locomotives.
Intersecting the trail to Fondo Lake, continue to the rocky cliff of Pietra Castello, which overlooks the woods below and affords magnificent views. After a couple of kilometers, the route then begins to climb more rapidly, toward the entrance to the Great Gate of the Pollino and Serretta della Porticella, breathtaking landscapes among monumental loricate pines.

Route type: loop
Length: 16 km
Uphill elevation gain: 1098 m
Downhill elevation gain: 1093 m
Highest point: 1962 m
Lowest point: 1521 m

Technical tips:
High hiking shoes, windbreaker, gloves, hat, headlamp are recommended. Water supply is possible at Sanctuary Fountain, Raganello Spring, Pitt’accurc Spring.

Municipality of departure: San Severino Lucano
Departure location: Madonna del Pollino Sanctuary
Municipality of arrival: San Severino Lucano
Place of arrival: Sanctuary Madonna del Pollino

Recommended period:
May to November

Where to park:
At the Shrine of Our Lady of Pollen