Today, Traveling Italy is in Calabria, in the heart of the Sila National Park: Lorica, where wild nature reigns supreme.
Lorica (from the Latin lòrica) means armour, the term apparently referring to the natural aspect of the area: a sort of vegetable fortress. But there is also another belief refferred to the origin of its name: according to an ancient legend, the armor of a knight was found on a hill that overlooks Arvo Lake. For this reason, today the town is named like this.
Lorica is known as the Gem of Sila. Here you can discover different and unique itineraries dedicated to sport, nature and food. The town is also known as a place where you can relax and take care of your well-being. So, the ideal solution is to experience this place by planning an unforgettable holiday.
Here is what we suggest you to do in Lorica.
Where to sleep: Park Hotel 108
Let’s start with an overnight stay which is an essential choice for a journey full of adventures without sacrificing your comfort and quality. Among the top facilities in the area we recommend Hotel Park 108. It is truly the ideal place to experience nature in close proximity, while enjoying evocative landscapes in every season.
Thanks to its location, that is on the shore of Arvo Lake, Hotel Park 108 is one of the most sought-after facilities for sportsmen but also for those who seeks direct contact with the surrounding landscape. It is located short away from the centre, but, at the same time, it is close to the ski resorts and to the major attractions.
Taking a break from the stresses of everyday life here means enjoying the unspoilt nature on the banks of the Arvo and the forests. In fact, the hotel offers the possibility of sleeping in rooms with lake or mountain views.
At Park 108 you can regenerate yourself while enjoying the wellness area which is in perfect synergy with the nature that surrounds this place. There is nothing better than the hydromassage pool, offering a breathtaking view of the Lake. Here you can pamper yourself with massages and emotional showers.
Leave space for the many different flavors available to the Hotel restaurant, that offers as well as local cuisine as the interantional one, with seasonality of the products served.
Outdoor activities in Lorica
In Lorica, the outdoor itinerary and activities are varied and they change from season to season: in winter period, for example, you can choose between snowshoeing or alpine skiing. The snowfall begins in November and it makes Lorica a wonderful sight.
Thanks to the numerous slopes, this location is ideal for cross-country skiing, alpine skiing and snowboarding. Restaurants, cafes and equipment rental points are found in all of the ski resorts.
Don’t miss the bob-sled run: it is a track one kilometer long, immersed in the woods. A truly unique experience. You will also catch a glimpse of many enchanting panoramas on board of the historic steam trains that departs from Lorica and arrives to the village of Silvana Mansio: the highest railway station in Europe. It is a wonderful time travel aboard these historic carriages from where you can admire unique panoramas.
In summertime, on the Arvo Lake, you can enjoy boat trips and the possibility of canoeing or kayaking on its waters. You can also choose from horseback excursions, mountain bike treks or setting on foot one of the many dedicated paths that this enchanting place offers.
What to see in Lorica
Don’t miss a visit to the Arboretum of the Sila National Park, an enchanting garden of bio-diversity. It is located in the district of Sbanditi. Here you can admire majestic specimens of exotic species such as: larch, spruce, Scot pines, birch, and Douglas firs.
Nearby, it is worth to visit the infamous “Giants of the Sila” located in the neighborhood of Croce di Magara. The Fallistro Nature Reserve has been a FAI asset since 2016 and it preserves ancient trees that reach up to 45 meters in height.
You can also reach and visit San Giovanni in Fiore and its Florense Abbey, who houses the Demological Museum of Economics, Labor and Social Silana History, an itinerary through objects and furnishings of the popular silana tradition.
What to see nearby
- Camigliatello Silano (33 minutes by car)
Camigliatello Silano is located in the heart of the Sila National Park and it is the most famous mountain tourist resort in Calabria. The town is suitable in all seasons: ski lifts and slopes for winter sports and huge expanses of trees that are suitable for all kinds of outdoor sports. - Cosenza (1 hour and 20 minutes by car)
Cosenza is one of the oldest cities in Calabria and it stands on seven hills in the Crati valley. Here, art and culture are deeply rooted and ancient and modern coexist perfectly. - Caccuri (45 minutes by car)
The village of Caccuri is a delightful medieval village in the province of Crotone. It is included in the Italian Touring Club’s association of the “Most Beautiful Villages in Italy”.
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