Stage n.20
Perticaro (Umbriatico) – Verzino
Area
Alto Crotonese
Difficulty
T – Also accessible via MTB
Distance
6,4 km
Travel time
3.00 – 4.50 hrs
Start
Perticaro
Finish
Verzino
Difference in altitude
↑ 208m ↓ 215m
Accessible
All year round
Springs and fountainheads with waypoint
No
River/fiumare crossing (waypoint)
Fiume Vitravo
The mule track that used to lead farmers from Perticaro and Verzino to the Vitravo river in the area of Crotone (along which many water mills used to stand), is immersed in the maquis shrubland. The stage takes hikers from the district of Umbriatico to the ancient village of Vertinae (founded either by the Oenotrians or the Greek hero Philoctetes after the mythical downfall of Troy). In remote times, people here used to live in penalitiche, a network of caves connected via small pathways that are still visible to this day on the Western side of the Sperone hill.
Località Passo
The mule track that used to lead farmers from Perticaro and Verzino to the Vitravo river in the area of Crotone (along which many water mills used to stand), is immersed in the maquis shrubland. The stage takes hikers from the district of Umbriatico to the ancient village of Vertinae (founded either by the Oenotrians or the Greek hero Philoctetes after the mythical downfall of Troy). In remote times, people here used to live in penalitiche, a network of caves connected via small pathways that are still visible to this day on the Western side of the Sperone hill.
Località Passo
Area
Alto Crotonese
Difficulty
T – Also accessible via MTB
Distance
6,4 km
Travel time
3.00 – 4.50 hrs
Start
Perticaro
Finish
Verzino
Difference in altitude
↑ 208m ↓ 215m
Accessible
All year round
Springs and fountainheads with waypoint
No
River/fiumare crossing (waypoint)
Fiume Vitravo
Cascata Ncurunata
Route
The trail runs along a mule track used by farmers of Perticaro and Verzino to reach the Vitravo river. It is characterised by oak trees and small bushes typical of the marquis shrubland. Many mills powered by the strong waters used to stand along the river sides to grind the grains and produce flour.
Brief historical overview
Perticaro is a district of Umbriatico, in the area of Crotone. The latter has extremely ancient origins, dating back to the time of the Oenotrians. Its name has evolved many times throughout the centuries from Bristacia (Magna Graecia era), to Euria (Byzantine era), to Ebriaticum as it was called by the Normans. Located in the pre-Sila mountains, Umbriatico sits on a cliff surrounded by terrifying precipices, making it a natural impregnable stronghold (which explains why the village never invested in the construction of fortification structures). It is recommended to pay a visit to the small Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie, dating back to Medieval times and decorated with traces of coeval frescos, and the Cathedral of San Donato, built in the XI century on top of a crypt (originally a Byzantine basilica from the X century, whose columns were probably originally part of the temple of Apollon Aleo in Krimisa – now Cirò Marina).
Exiting the city centre, passed the magnificent narrow channels of Umbriatico (dug from the Lipuda stream) the trail reaches the area of Cozzo Nero, where are ruins of an ancient city wall, while in the area of Sant’Elia remains of prehistoric tombs. In Umbriatico is still in use the ancient practice of transhumance, now UNESCO intangible heritage, to the Sila Mountains: walking along these territories, hikers will often meet typical Podoliche cows in the wild.
Of particular interest from a natural point of view: the small artificial basin of Petricaro, the monumental oaks, Mount Pescaldo, and the SIC forest (Site of Community Interest), characterised by a dense and fine vegetation, typical of the area.
Cascata Ncorunata
Verzino is a municipality of the Presila crotonese. According to studies, Verzino is the ancient town of Vertinae, built by the Oenotrians or by the Homeric hero Philoctetes, who, after the downfall of Troy, arrived in these territories with his men and founded many villages. Records of these events can be found in the writings of the Greek historian Strabo. Around 500 b.C. Verzino passed from the hands of the people of Sibari to those of the people of Crotone. The latter decided to “exploit the iron, sulphur and silver quarries on top of the alabaster ones and a spring of sulphurous water in the area. The land was still renowned for a kind of earth called Ripoli, used to clean jewellery, and its medicinal herbs. Great abundance of game in its mountains.” At that time, people of Verzino used to live in penalitiche, a network of caves connected via small pathways that are still visible to this day on the Western side of the Sperone hill, where the city centre is located.
Grotte rupestri
Map and elevation profile
Further information
Guides of reference for the stage: Antonio Biafora +39 328 1193312 and Alessandro Frontera +39 340 3663376
[Verzino]
Comune Verzino – tel. +39 0962 763044 – mail: sindaco@comune.verzino.kr.it
Gruppo Speleologico Le Grave – tel. +39 331 1490256 – web: www.legravespeleo.webs.com – mail: ferraro92@hotmail.it
Where to sleep
Extra: not verified
[Verzino]
Scattered hotels – Via Nazionale Appartments – Verzino – tel. +39 0962 763044 – mail: politichesociali@comune.verzino.kr.it
Scattered hotels – Struttura Comunale Verzino – tel. +39 0962 763044 – mail: politichesociali@comune.verzino.kr.it
Where to eat
Extra: not verified
[Verzino ]
Farmhouse – Il Casale – tel. +39 347 6515654
Restaurant – Sole Nero Pinzeria – tel. +39 349 7246414
Restaurant – L’arcobaleno – tel. +39 347 1749005
Restaurant – Pizzeria Il Daino – tel. +39 349 3242501
Restaurant – Pizzeria Rosticceria Del Muretto – tel. +39 346 3159243
With thanks to Regione Calabria for the Contribution to the project.
Last update: 2021-12-29
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Project realised with the contribution of Regione Calabria
Project realised with the contribution of Regione Calabria