Pollino Mountain

Pollino refers to the Pollino massif and the surrounding protected area in southern Italy, designated as Pollino National Park and covering parts of Calabria and Basilicata. It is one of Italy’s largest protected areas and contains high mountain terrain in the southern Apennines.

The massif includes peaks above 2,000 metres and extensive karst landscapes with steep gorges, high plateaus and mountain streams. The area is popular for hiking, climbing, canyoning and cultural visits to historic villages.

The park was established to protect the massif’s landscapes, biodiversity and traditional land uses; it highlights endemic plants such as isolated stands of Bosnian pine and supports a range of wildlife typical of southern Apennine ecosystems. Management balances conservation with rural tourism and local communities.

Geographically Pollino sits between the regions of Calabria and Basilicata in southern Italy, forming part of the southern Apennine chain and stretching over a broad mountainous area inland from the Tyrrhenian and Ionian coasts.

• Extent: The park spans the border between Calabria and Basilicata and is noted for high mountain scenery, deep gorges and traditional mountain villages.

What to See#

• Monte Pollino: The massif’s highest summits where elevations exceed 2,000 metres and offer mountaineering and long-distance hiking routes across limestone ridges.
• Bosnian pine stands: Scattered pockets of ancient Bosnian pine found on steep slopes and rocky outcrops; these pines are a notable botanical feature of the area.

• Visit Pollino in late spring or early autumn to avoid summer heat and to catch wildflower displays and cooler hiking conditions in the highlands.
• Plan longer treks and overnight stays in advance: mountain refuges, trail conditions and some routes require reservations or a local mountain guide for safety.
• Make a point of seeking out the loricate pine (Bosnian pine) stands on the higher ridges - they're a signature feature of the park that many visitors miss if they stick only to lower-elevation roads.