ROUTES Pt. 2
THE WATERFALLS
My suggestions on the paths that lead to streams
1. Caccamelle waterfalls
Waterfalls near the Monte Tre Pizzi
Who to contact: People in Aspromonte
Length: 9km
Journey time: 4h
Difficulty: easy
No water along the route.
To reach the Caccamelle waterfalls, follow a section of path no 213 of the Aspromonte National Park which leads from Ciminà to Moleti .
The name derives from the shape of the ponds which resembles that of amphorae (in dialect cuccumedi ) used to transport water.
A path that starts from the center of the Borgo di Ciminà to get to the water source. The departure is from Piazza dell'Addolorata ; from here, after a few meters towards the mountains, take a road on the left which is paved for a stretch. Continuing, you follow a path for a few hundred meters until you reach a pitch marked by a fence. Proceed along the fence towards the mountain and after a while take a path on the left. This part of the route led to the Old Mother , used by shepherds in the past for their flock. From this point the route winds along the Mediterranean scrub. A downhill stretch of the route leads to an old farmhouse where a dry stone wall is visible. Climb to the right of the wall and then cross it. At this point you can still admire the ancient shelters made for livestock.
Continuing on the clearly visible path you reach a crossroads where if you keep the left after a while you reach the main waterfall, called Candela della Caccamelle for the straight jet.
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On the way back we take the road to the left uphill. Proceed along an easy path that leads to the paved road that leads from Ciminà to the crest of the Apennines. Continuing down this road after about 2km you return to the starting point, the square of Ciminà .
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2. La Scialata (or Torrente Levadìo)
Naturalistic path that runs along the Fiumara
Municipality of San Giovanni di Gerace
Journey time 2.30
Difference in altitude from 600 to 850 meters above sea level
Difficulty: Tourist (beginner)
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The trail begins in the locality Giancé , reachable in 15 minutes by car from San Giovanni di Gerace. From the car park, continue on a dirt road for about 20 minutes until you cross the Levadio stream near the Fellare waterfall. From this point the ascent of the river begins and it is possible to cool off before the start of the route.
After enjoying the waterfall, take a path along a path to the right of the waterfall.
Continuing on the path you will cross the Marasà , Schiavone and Scogli waterfalls.
The entire path connects the locality of Fellare with the picnic area of Cannavarè-Scialata . Here it is possible to eat surrounded by nature.
3. Galasia and Mundu
From the jump to the mouth of the waterfall
Who to contact: Aspromonte Wild
Municipality of Molochio, Grancu locality
Travel time: about 5 h round trip
Directions: A3 motorway exit Gioia Tauro, Taurianova, Molochio
difficulty: medium
Altitude: 600 meters above sea level
recommended period: spring / summer
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The route is well signposted and well known. Once in Molochio you will find the signs, from here begins an easy downhill path that reaches a source which flows on the right side of the path and where you can refuel for the rest of the path. Concluding the descent you reach a stream that the Jamundu locals and that provides the revenue from the Mundu waterfall.
After passing the stream, you proceed with a climb in a tree-lined stretch where the signs will lead to a descent.
The path allows you to see both jumps of the waterfall: the smallest of 15 meters and the largest of 35 meters in height.
In the place there is a luxuriant vegetation and the waterfalls are set among the rocks. Retracing the path to meet again you return to the stream and with a little attention you can get up to the top of the waterfall to watch the two jumps that proceed side by side.
The path leads to the base of the waterfall where in the summer months it is possible to cool off in the cold body of water
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Vegetation curiosity : presence of an ancient species of giant fern ( Woodwardia radicans)
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4. Marmarico or Bivongi waterfalls
The highest waterfall in the Southern Apennines
Municipality of Bivongi, Fiumara dello Stilaro
Height 114 meters
Ring route
Duration: 5h
Difficulty: beginner
Length: about 8 km
Recommended periods: if you want to enjoy the rich vegetation, spring and autumn. If you want to immerse yourself, the summer.
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To reach the waterfall you can follow two different paths, the most complete one involves the departure from the inhabited center of Bivongi . Moving away from the center, you go along the riverside where you can visit the mill " do 'furnu ", dating back to the 11th century. The name derives from the fact that a steel factory stood next to the mill.
Continue on the paved road. At the junction for the Green park, keep left and the real route begins, on a natural road. Continuing along the path you will come to a second crossroads for the Guida baths . Continue the climb and arrive at the Droma plains.
At this point you can stop at the Pizzicarella Fountain and continuing down the hill you can see a small waterfall, the Droma waterfall .
Continuing, the climbs begin again and you can see the river, up to the crossing of the aqueduct bridge. After crossing it, continue along the river and cross it on a small wooden bridge. Here you can stop again at a fountain and then take the path back into an holm oak wood. After a few minutes of walking, you will turn to the small lake at the base of the waterfall.
From there you can continue to see the waterfall from above in all its majesty.
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To reduce the timing, you can start the path from the Green park instead of from the village of Bivongi.
Along the way it is possible to meet a rare species of flower: the rock carnation .
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5. Maesano waterfalls
also called Cascate dell'Amendolea
A feature that differentiates them from many others in Calabria: they consist of three jump levels for a total height of 1200 meters in height. The highest vantage point is in fact located at 1295 meters.
The path leading to the falls is not easy and not recommended for the less experienced. The walk starts from the Menta dam (Roccaforte del Greco) which can be reached by car. From the dam you reach a steep descent where you can park.
You continue on your way following the stream that leads to a fountain; from here begins the uphill path on clay. Arriving at a small crossroads, continue keeping to the right and after a short distance you will reach the Amendolea Valley. From here it is advisable to keep the fence as a reference point and to proceed with care and caution.
Not far away you reach the first jump of the waterfall and if you are particularly trained on it can continue towards the other two.
The water is crystal clear but very freezing due to the location, set in a dense vegetation of pine trees.
Along the way you will pass through almond trees, vegetation with papilionate orchids, brooms and pine forests.
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Municipality of Roccaforte del Greco
6. Forgiarelle or ferraina waterfalls
The Aspromonte waterfall
Location Samo
The path starts from the refuge of Conavai plan . The falls are located not far from the municipality of Samos . The jump of the waterfall is very suggestive both for the thick vegetation and because the water jump covers an overhang of about 100 meters.
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7. Schioppo and Scalette waterfalls
From the stream to the waterfalls
Cirella hamlet (Municipality of Platì)
The path is challenging because it crosses a part of the Abbruschiato stream . The starting point is the center of Cirella . From here you follow the road towards the mountain and after passing the houses of Maila you take an uphill path with a view of Monte Iacono. After a short stretch you go down towards the Schioppo Waterfall , at an altitude of 500 meters. Continue up to Piano Abbruschiato and descend further to the stream of the same name. Cross a stretch of the stream towards the mountain reaching the Cascade delle Scalette . After passing it, go up the ridge to the right and after a few curves you arrive at Serro Malacandrà . From here you can choose whether to reach the plateau (Palazzo locality) or return to Cirella.
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Level: expert
Journey time: 5h
Length: 4 km
Recommended period: from April to October
8. Cascades of Pietra Cappa
An oasis near the well-known monolith
Who to contact: Aspromonte Wild
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If the visit to the monolith has become an obligatory stop for walkers in recent years, a lesser-known treasure is the waterfall located in its vicinity.
To reach the waterfall, if you are in Bovalino, continue towards San Luca in the direction Pietra Lunga , otherwise from Natile to Natile Vecchio in the direction of Pietra Cappa .
The falls are fed by a stream that flows upwards and is called Vallone Salice , while in the next part it is known as Torrente Ferolla . The stream flows to the left of the inhabited center of San Luca, merging with the larger Santa Venere stream.
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Once you reach the waterfall, you will be impressed by the intact environment and by the bright color of the water mirror.
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9. Cascata di Salino
Una sorgente nel cuore del Parco Nazionale dell'Aspromonte
Comune di Mammola
La cascata prende il nome dall’ omonimo torrente (affluente del fiume Torbido che nasce dal monte Limina).
La sorgente d'acqua, scorrendo tra le gole rocciose di quel territorio compie un doppio salto, di circa 70 metri, rimbalzando in maniera scrociante tra le rocce ed offrendo una piacevole suggestione ai visitatori.
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L’ itinerario si snoda inizialmente su un breve tratto dello svincolo stradale, poi, sulla destra, si affianca alla S.G.C. Jonio-Tirreno. Si prosegue sulla strada sterrata risalendo il Fiume Torbido, subito dopo s’incrociano a destra il torrente Macariace, e a sinistra i ruderi della vecchia Miniera. A destra sulla collina sono ancora visibili due gallerie dalle quali si estraevano zolfo e arsenico.
Arrivati all’incrocio del Sentiero dei Greci e del Vallone Salino vicino all’ex Scuola Elementare, si svolta a destra e dopo un centinaio di metri si imbocca a destra il Vallone Salino, incontaminato e particolarmente suggestivo; poi, risalendo il torrente, si arriva fino alla Cascata Salino.
Si consiglia di percorrere questo tratto del percorso camminando sul bordo dell’alveo.
Risalendo la piccola cascata dal lato destro si arriva al laghetto dove nei periodi estivi si può anche fare il bagno.
Il percorso è accessibile a tutti - anche a camminatori meno esperti - ma è necessario possedere un'adeguata attrezzatura.
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La cascata per le sue caratteristiche, viene utilizzata da numerosi appassionati del torrentismo, nel discendere il salto del Salino, utilizzando tecniche di discesa alpinistiche.
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Curiosità
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Il torrente serviva un tempo per la macerazione del lino e della ginestra: questa operazione consentiva alle tessitrici la lavorazione dei manufatti al telaio. Inoltre, ai lati del torrente gli scalpellini lavoravano la pietra granitica per fare gradini e portali per le case e macine per mulini e frantoi.
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Fauna e flora:
Il luogo è caratterizzato dalle rigogliose foreste di lecci, ornielli ed erica.
L' orniello è usata dai pastori per i collari delle bestie e per costruire utensili, mentre il leccio viene utilizzato come legna da ardere o come carbone. L’erica è molto richiesta per la sua radice (ciocco), da cui si ricavano pregiate pipe, mentre dal fusto vengono ritagliati grandi e caratteristici cucchiai.
Do you move independently?
Try using trail apps.
I suggest you Wikilock and Komoot
Did you arrive without the equipment?
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You can refuel here!
Ardore Marina -
Via Ugo Foscolo n 53
