From Pentedattilo to Bagaladi

Itinerary

We leave the enchanted hamlet of Pentedattilo from the little square above the Chiesa della Candelora [Church of Candlemas], walking along the village’s little access road. After the first bend, take the dirt track which girds the Fortress on the right and continue until you reach the Sant’Antonio Township, behind the Fortress itself. Continue right and, after a short stretch, take the road leading downhill to the San Vito Torrent better known as the Annà River. Having reached the banks of the torrent, follow its course for a while until you reach the ruins of some farmhouses. At these houses take the dirt track going uphill on the slope opposite the one you took coming down, called Vigna della Corte [Court Vineyard].  As you ascend, the view becomes more and more beautiful and evocative with the enormous Fortresses of Pentedattilo and Santa Lena, the blue of the Straits of Messina and majestic Mount Etna in the background.

The climb ends at Punta di Leo [Leo Point], at 502 metres above sea level. From here, you proceed northward along the ridge. The scenery changes radically to reveal the Vallata del Tuccio [Tuccio Valley] below, full of citrus groves and urban settlements.  After a short stretch at this height, you waòl gently uphill until you reach olive groves and, after a few bends, to your left Monte Bosso (664 metres above sea level) appears with its rocky pinnacles similar to those of Pentedattilo. Having passed some rock formations, you arrive at a crossroads where you turn right. The track continues uphill, among the olive and oak groves, and takes you to the saddle where you find an old farmhouse surrounded by prickly-pear plants. Continue as far as Punta d’Argento [Silver Point] at 743 metres above sea level, from where, to the right, you can see the outline of Monte Scarrone. It takes its name from its form, which in dialect is called scarruni (canine tooth). After Punta d’Argento in a dell to the left nestles the hamlet of Fossato Jonico.  Continue in the same direction until you reach a triple junction where you find a one-storey stpone building. Take the right turning and walk downhill to the Paludi River, the tributary of the Pristeo, which, in turn, is a tributary of the Tuccio River. The path leads directly down to the banks of the Paludi, which you follow to the point where it meets the Pristeo and where you find a fountain and trough. Continue downhill until you encounter the Tuccio River which you can follow up to Bagaladi.  Following the course of the river, on the left you meet the final stretch of the tributary of the Tuccio which passes through Bagaladi, easily recognisable because of the presence of a high electric-power pylon in its vicinity. Continue on for another short stretch and on the left you will meet another rectilinear tributary of the Tuccio, flanked by a large stone embankment. Follow the path along the banks of this tributary until you arrive at Bagaladiès urban centre (475 metres above sea level). As you follow the tributary uphill, on the right, you will come across the former Jacopino oil-mill, now refurbished to house the Porta del Parco dell’Aspromonte [Gateway to the Aspromonte Park], the Olive-oil Museum and an excellent restaurant.

Departure: Hamlet of Pentedattilo (280 metres above sea level)

Towns and villages en route: Melito Porto Salvo, Montebello Jonico, Bagaladi

Elevation difference: circa 570 metres uphill ; 350 metres downhill, approximately

Walking time: 6 hours

Distance covered: about 15 kilometres

Availability of drinking water: At the bar before departure , the spring at the junction between the Paludi and Pristeo torrents

Difficulty: E

Arrival: Bagaladi – Piazza Berlinguer (475 metres above sea level)

Visits to the following towns /villages/hamlets

Visit to the hamlet of Pentedattilo
Visit the Historic Centre of Bagaladi

Information regarding the itinerary

Itinerary care of Cooperativa Naturaliter

For further information please contact Andrea Laurenzano (tel. 347 3046799)