Ardore – Bovalino Superiore

Upon leaving Ardore, hikers will be able to admire a landscape of Ionian hills, once shelters for Calabrian people living along the coastline being natural defensive strongholds against Saracen raids. The less accessible and busy areas of the hills and mountains were also favourite sites for prayer and meditation of ascetic Basilian monks. Cutting through the strip of land separating the Riviera dei Gelsomini from the Aspromonte Massif, hikers will admire the majestic monolith of Pietra Cappa (one of the greatest in Europe) and the ruins of the Shrine of the Madonna della Grotta. The Shrine was built in the 16th century inside a cave perched upon a steep cliff, accessible (before the collapse of the structure) only via 141 steps carved in rock that worshippers used to go down to on their knees. The trail finally reaches Bovalino Superiore passing by the characteristic houses of Benestare. The Chiesa Matrice in Bovalino Superiore is dedicated to the Madonna della Neve and San Nicola di Bari, and features a picturesque crypt.

Gypsum quarry in Benestare

Zona

Aspromonte Orientale, fascia Ionica

Difficoltà

T Percorribile anche in MTB. Unico punto critico all’imbocco di Benestare, segnalato con waypoint. Ma presenza di strada alternativa che evita la strettoia

Distanza

13 km

Tempo di percorrenza

4-5 ore

Partenza

Ardore

Arrivo

Bovalino Superiore

Dislivello

↑ 509m ↓571m

Percorribile

Tutto l’anno

Fonti e sorgenti con waypoint

Sì

Attraversamenti fiumi e fiumare (waypoint)

No

Route

The trail starts in Piazza Umberto I of Ardore. Leaving the Chiesa Matrice behind, walking along the feudal castle, it takes the road leading to San Nicola dei Canali, district of Ardore. Hikers will be able to admire a landscape of Ionian hills, once shelters for Calabrian people living along the coastline being natural defensive strongholds against Saracen raids. The less accessible and busy areas of the hills and mountains were also favourite sites for prayer and meditation of ascetic Basilian monks. The hills have the characteristic white color of calcareous sandstone, from which badlands originate (known as calanchi). Hikers will have a clear view of the Riviera dei Gelsomini on one side and the Aspromonte Massif on the other, with the magnificent Pietra Cappa, in the “valley of the great rocks” (Pietra Castello, Pietra Lunga etc) one of the biggest monoliths in Europe. At the foot of the monolith is the site “Rocce di San Pietro”, where Basilian monks used to pray in ascetic silence. Majestic mountains all around such as the Montalto (1956m above sea level), the Monte Scorda and Monte Misafumera. The trail then pass near Bombile, where the Shrine of the Madonna della Grotta used to stand, one of the most important Marian devotion sites of the province. 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. Past a series of fields, the trail arrives in Benestare and its characteristic houses made of plaster (extracted from nearby abandoned quarries). The trail reaches the final stop of Bovalino Superiore (perched on a white cliff) passing by majestic centuries-old oaks. 

Brief historical overview

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

The small village of Bovalino Superiore has a centuries-old history still visible in its alleys, palaces, churches and the ancient Norman Castle now in ruins. Another highly interesting building on top of the castle is the Chiesa Matrice dedicated to the Madonna della Neve and San Nicola di Bari: the three-nave structure features a picturesque crypt oldest than the church itself. The celebrations in honour of Maria SS. Immacolata are held from the 6th to the 8th of September. On the last day of the celebrations the local community gathers around the simulacrum of the Virgin Mary and starts a procession along the small alleys of the city centre. .

Monumental Oak

Map and elevation profile

Further information

Guides of reference for the stage: Ass. Il Boschetto Fiorito – Nicola Pelle +39 320 7564901

[Bovalino Superiore]

Pro Loco Bovalino Superiore – tel. +39 348 8531981 – web: www.facebook.com/proloco.bovalino – mail: prolocobovalino@gmail.com
Comune Bovalino Superiore – web: www.comune.bovalino.rc.it

Where to sleep

[Benestare]

Scattered hotels – ProLoco Benestare – tel. +39 340 6139651 – mail: mariacaminiti1960@gmail.com

[Bovalino Superiore]

B&B – Rosa Di Calabria – tel. +39 392 9586782 – mail: rosadicalabria2014@gmail.com