The second leg of the “Parallel 39°56′” tour in the Pollino Park starts from the Lagoforano Refuge and, crossing part of the ancient Briganti Way, reaches Piano Giumenta, at the foot of the Great Gate of the Pollino. We gradually move away from the man-made area of the park and into its wilderness. A cozy shelter at the end of the trail provides safe shelter in bad weather. We are exactly at the halfway point.

Technical description:
Leaving the Lagoforano Refuge behind, head north toward the famous “Tacca Peppino” (named after a famous bandit – Peppino, in fact – who used to lurk there to plunder wayfarers). You enter the 39°56′ parallel here and cross it, moving eastward, almost to the Great Gate of the Pollen.
Circumnavigating Timpone della Rotondella, we reach Serra Scorzillo and then Colle di Conca, a plateau with sweeping views of the Lucanian and Calabrian sides of Pollino Park. At the junction for Sant’Anna, a remote location with a couple of farms and a small stone church at the foot of Timpa di San Lorenzo, go straight ahead walking at the foot of the imposing vertical wall of Timpa di Falconara, the “cathedral” of southern Italian climbers. A pleasant path through the woods skirts the southern slope of Toppo Vuturo, leading to the cool waters of the Scifi Spring. A few hundred meters and you reach Piano Giumenta, the finish point of the stage. A cozy lodge allows for proper refreshment while having a chat with John, its manager, who is always willing to give valuable information.

Length: 12 km
Height difference in ascent: 617 m
Downhill elevation gain: 582 m
Highest point: 1600 m
Lowest point: 1240 m

Technical tips:
Plan a support shuttle to carry food, tents and sleeping bags so that you can fully enjoy the hike without excessive weight.

Municipality of departure: Alessandria del Carretto
Starting location: Serra di Lagoforano
Municipality of arrival: Newfoundland of Pollino
Place of arrival: Plain of Mare

Recommended period:
The best time to take this tour is in spring orfall. In summer, beware of the scorching heat, preferably leaving early in the morning (especially for the lower altitude stages). In winter, the presence of snow and ice requires the use of technical equipment, such as ice axes and crampons

Useful links:
http://www.avventurieridelsud.it/parallelo3956.html

This impressive loop trek crosses part of the Pollino National Park along Parallel 39.56., starting and returning from the village of San Lorenzo Bellizzi.

It was first explored in May 2018, when a group of carefree Veronese turned to the Park’s Official Guide, Luca D’Alba, to see the loricate pines and the Raganello Gorges, in one long route involving tent and sleeping bag bivouacs.

The route is 46 km long, divided into 4 daily stages, and passes through some of the park’s most characteristic natural areas, including timps, gorges, beech forests and loricate pines. The variety of wildlife and vegetation and the breathtaking views make this route truly unique-an authentic mountain experience to be enjoyed in any season.