{"id":4632,"date":"2022-01-29T13:21:48","date_gmt":"2022-01-29T12:21:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/?p=4632"},"modified":"2026-10-05T14:28:39","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T14:28:39","slug":"cycling-in-calabria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/en\/verhalen\/fietsen-in-calabrie","title":{"rendered":"Broomwagon report II: Cycling in Calabria, the insider tips from \u2018Calamaro\u2019."},"content":{"rendered":"

If you want to go cycling in Italy, there are countless possibilities. The most popular options are the Dolomites<\/a>, Tuscany<\/a> but also the Italian brand area<\/a> and Emilia Romagna<\/a> captivating. That Italy is much more than just these highlights, we already knew that. behind<\/a>. Whether it\u2019s gravel or road bikes, Italy has everything to be the cycling destination of Europe. One of the least known options is when you go cycling in Calabria. Stefano Nucera, born in Calabria and also known as \u2018Calamaro\u2019, runs his own podcast, the Broomwagon. His story is very inspiring. He has been able to call many places in Europe his home and that\u2019s where we are too about written<\/a>. When it comes to cycling in Calabria, we definitely wanted to use his expertise. Because would you consider going gravel biking in Calabria, one of the poorest parts of Italy? Not immediately, but after this story, that will probably be different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Have you never cycled in the mountains? Then read the tips<\/a> from our explorer Nynke<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cycling in Italy: Calabria<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The tip of the Italian heel: Calabria. It\u2019s a bit of a forgotten area. In terms of tourism, it\u2019s snowed under and the infrastructure for it also seems to be lacking. Some of you may know Reggio Calabria because of the opportunities to take the boat to Messina in Sicily. Villa San Giovani is also such a place. Furthermore, Calabria is often at the back of the tourist guide. Is that unfair? Perhaps. If you\u2019re adventurous, this is a region where you can still discover true Italy. Including the tentacles of the mafia, although they are less visible than you might think. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are you going on another trip? Then don't forget what to bring with you using our Basic packing list<\/a>!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basecamp Catanzaro<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Stefano was born in Catanzaro, a town in the heel of the boot. It is the capital of Calabria and with 95,000 inhabitants, it is quite manageable. From here you can discover the most beautiful parts of the region. You are here very close to the Parco Nazionale della Silla. That is the pride of this region. Calamaro himself lived in Catanzaro from the age of 12 to 18, and he still considers it a beautiful place to enjoy the mountains. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cycling route to Cascate del Crocchio<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the recommended routes is the mountain bike route from Selia Marina, a little southeast of Catanzaro, to Cascate del Crocchio. You start here from sea level and climb all the way up to 1300 meters altitude. A magnificent climb. Along the way, you stop at a beautiful bar-restaurant called \u2018Il Semaforo Sila\u2019 \u2013 The traffic light. According to Stefano \u2018an absolute must-see. The climb itself is quite steep at the beginning, with percentages of 15-18%. That\u2019s not a bad thing, and if you\u2019ve brought the wrong cassette, it\u2019s quite difficult to recover from that. Along the way, you really have to stop at the Crocchio Waterfalls. The nature is stunning and it\u2019s very peaceful there, especially in September. There are very few cars and very few other tourists. You have the road to yourself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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(c) Pinar Pinzuti<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"calabria,
(c) Pinar Pinzuti<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n