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NATIONAL PARKS
It’s not just about the coast in Basilicata. The region has three beautiful national parks, located in the Appenino Lucano, a spectacular mountain range that cuts Basilicata in half. Known as the Lucanian Dolomites, the landscape here is breathtaking. Hill-top towns perch between rocks, and pristine lakes hide in the heights of the mountains, creating picture book scenery to explore.
POLLINO NATIONAL PARK
Pollino National Park is Italy’s largest national park, covering 1960sq km and bridging the regions of Basilicata and Calabria. It was established in 1992 and includes both natural and archaeological places of interest. The remarkable scenery ranges from snow capped peaks to ancient forest. The highest peak is Monte Pollino (2248m), where a climb to the top will be rewarded with views of both the Tyrrhenian and Ionian coasts. The park also protects a number of rare species like the Apennine wolf, wild cats and otters. There are a number of ways to enjoy Pollino National Park: on foot, by bicycle, on horseback, or for those brave enough, in a white water raft! The park is an ideal location for hiking and offers a mix of stunning views combined with interesting flora and fauna. It is particularly beautiful in the spring and rafting is also popular all year round.
You can go to one of several visitors centres to view the many environmental projects which have been set up, including organic farms and ecohostels. In the Valle del Mercure remains of pre-historic species such as Elephas antiquus and Hippopotamus major have been discovered. Rivers and streams include the Lao, Sinni, Coscile and Raganello.
Information centres within the Pollino National Park
- Francavilla sul Sinni, Tel. 0973/574417
- Noepoli, Tel. 0973/92087
- Rotonda, Tel. 0973/661142
- San Severino Lucano, Tel. 0973/576095
- Terranova di Pollino, Tel. 0973/93108
For a list of official tour guides for the towns and villages within the Pollino National Park, please visit www.parks.it/parco.nazionale.pollino
THE GALLIPOLI COGNATO PARK
The Gallipoli Cognato Park is far smaller in comparison; it covers 270 sq km, and is located to the north of Pollino. There is a striking contrast in the scenery here, from the bare sandstone peaks with a rugged, craggy appearance to the lush Cognato forest, which is carpeted in wild flowers in the spring and ablaze with colour in the autumn. Gallipoli Cognato Park is ideal for hiking with a well signposted network for trails covering all terrain. It is also home to Castelmezzano, one of the highest villages in Basilicata and one of the five towns in the park. Many walking tracks run through the majestic village, a must see on your itinerary. Castelmezzano is also member of the Prettiest Villages in Italy Club (I Borghi più belli d'Italia) and the ruins of the fortress walls of a Norman Castle are still visible, with stairs carved into the rock leading to the highest lookout point, dominating over the entire Basento valley. Both Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa offer wonderful locations for birdwatchers, since the rock face provides shelter for many birds of prey. The mountains here are also popular with rock climbers and horse riders as well as mountain bike enthusiasts. Accettura is another of the towns within Gallipoli Cognato Park and is famous for its annual ‘Il Maggio’ festival held in May. See What's On for more details.
NATIONAL PARK VAL D'AGRI LAGONEGRESE
The National Park of Appennino Lucano “Val d'Agri Lagonegrese” is the youngest National Park in Italy,established by Presidential Decree on December 8th 2007. Situated in the province of Potenza, the Val d'Agri Lagonegrese Park is situated in the heart of the Lucanian Appenines.
With a population on 90,000 and covering almost 69,000 hectares, the park hosts a varied terrain which spans from the border of the Pollino National Park in the south of the region, to the Lucanian Appennines mountain range in northern Basilicata. Its perimeter is silhouetted against a large part of the Appennino Lucano, along a border that divides the peaks of Volturino Pierfaone.
PLACES OF INTEREST
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Archaeological Area Grumentum
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Archaeological Museum of the Val D'Agri
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Crypt of San Vitale – Armento
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Minor Basilica Pontificia Viggiano
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Civita di Marsiconuovo
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Abbey of Sant'Angelo - San Chirico Raparo
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Medieval Castle of Brienza
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Cathedral Church of the Assumption Church and the Rosary – Moliterno
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Old town of Sasso di Castalda
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Frescos on the life cycle of S. Francesco - San Martino d'Agri
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Frescoes of the monastery of Montemurro
Click here to see a map of the National Park Val D'Agri Lagonegrese
HIGHLIGHTS
The dramatic peaks of the Lucanian Dolomites
Castelmezzano a member of Italy's 'prettiest village club'
Dramatic weather conditions at Parco Del Pollino
