Gerace – Ardore

The stage leads hikers from Gerace (one of the “Borghi più belli d’Italia” with a 360 degrees view onto the coastline and the Aspromonte Massif) to Ardore, where are the remains of one of the most important Marian devotion sites of the province: the Shrine of the Madonna della Grotta, in the district of Bombile.

Horse-riding Ephebos

​Area

Locride

Difficulty

E – Accessible by MTB

Distance

17 km

Travel time

6 – 8 hrs

Start

Gerace

Finish

Ardore

Difference in altitude

↑ 650m ↓830m

Accessible

All year round

Springs and fountainheads with waypoint

Sì

River/fiumare crossing (waypoint)

Fiumare Gerace e fiumara Condoianni

Route

Brief historical overview

Gerace is one of the “Borghi più belli d’Italia” and hosts an extremely valuable artistic, architectural and naturalistic heritage. The ruins of the Norman Castle tower above the cliff. The most majestic building is the XI Century Cathedral, with annexed the episcopal palace (seat to a rich diocesan museum). The “Square of the Three Churches” is very picturesque and includes: the Chiesa del Sacro Cuore, the Chiesa di S. Francesco (13th century) and the Chiesa di San Giovannello (orthodox rite). The Moresque double-arched windows, the noble palaces, the Piazza Del Tocco and the Monastero di S. Anna are all located along the main street leading to Porta del Sole (Gate of the Sun): from here is a great panoramic viewpoint onto the Locride – from Punta Stilo to Capo Bruzzano. The archaeological site of Locri Epizefiri is 8km away and features museums, temples, an amphitheater and a commercial district.

Rupe Gerace

Ardore has an interesting city centre featuring the XVI century Castello dei Gambacorta, recently restored. In the district of Bombile are the remains of one of the most important Marian devotion sites of the province: the Shrine of the Madonna della Grotta. The cave where the small 16th century Augustinian monastery was founded has collapsed and is no longer accessible, but the white marble statue (attributed to Gagini) has been recovered and placed in the Chiesa dello Spirito Santo. Authorities are investigating a gorge scattered with manmade caves in Vallone Treccarlini as a potential hermitage site (the site is accessible via the district of Schiavo, walking along the riverbed).

Ardore Castle

Map and elevation profile

Further information

Guides of reference for the stage: Mauro Rocca +39 320 0333351, +39 0964 390054 e Arturo Rocca +39 388 6586067, +39 0964 390054 

[Ardore]

Pro Loco Ardore – tel. +39 0964 629321 – sito web: www.prolocoardore.it
Comune Ardore – tel. +39 0964 64366 – sito web: www.comune.ardore.rc.it

Last update: 2021-12-31