The “Garden of the Gods,” as the area of interest in this itinerary in the Pollino National Park is called, runs through the realm of the loricate pine.
A symbol of the park, pinus leucodermis is a precious botanical rarity that populates the rocky summits and cliffs of the mountains. Now majestic and upright, now shaped by the fury of the elements, clinging to rocky cliffs or still dry and white as ghosts, the loricates create an evocative spectacle of life, death and rebirth, from which the power of a still wild and primordial nature seems to manifest itself.

Technical description:
We start from the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Pollino (San Severino Lucano) and continue through centuries-old beech trees until we cross the gorges of Fosso Carceri. Shortly afterwards we reach the scenic Piano Iannace and from here, coming out of the woods, we climb to the pastures of Piani di Pollino where we stop at the Pitt’accurc’ spring.
We walk along the ridge of Serretta della Porticella, surrounded by monumental loricate pines, and continue to the summit of Serra di Crispo.
You return to the Pitt’accurc’ spring by a path that allows you to close the loop.

Route type: loop
Length: 12 km
Elevation gain: 888 m
Downhill elevation gain: 877m
Highest point: 2054 m
Lowest point: 1523 m

Technical tips:
High hiking shoes, windbreaker, gloves, hat, headlamp are recommended. Water refreshment at the Sanctuary fountain or at the Pitt’accurc’ spring.

Starting municipality:
San Severino Lucano

Starting location:
San Severino Lucano

Municipality of arrival:
San Severino Lucano

Location of arrival:
San Severino Lucano

Recommended period:
May to November

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

Useful links:
http://www.comune.sanseverinolucano.pz.it