One day, one main destination
Full-day mountain trips by car from Cedromare
By car, you can reach different parts of Orsomarso and Pollino from the coast. Choose the Argentino valley, a rafting trip on the Lao, the view from Malvento or a full hike up Monte Pollino. Each of these days has its own pace.
Across the Cedromare guide
Choose a landscape for the whole day
Some days are worth giving to just one place. Walk out of the woods into a clearing, pause by a river or take your time climbing a summit. A car lets you reach different parts of the mountains, with Cedromare remaining your base by the sea.
Below are four different suggestions. A shorter walk and a full summit hike have separate plans. The high routes are intended for snow-free conditions; before your outing, check the weather, road and current rules with the manager or a guide. Leave time to return and eat.
| Outing | One-way drive | Walking or activity | Day plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orsomarso and the lower Argentino | About 15 km, roughly 20–25 min to Orsomarso | 3.2 km out and back from the entrance; we suggest 1.5–2 hours for a walk with stops, plus the approach from your parking spot | Allow about 5–6 hours for driving, the town, the walk and lunch |
| Lao, River Tribe base | About 64 km, roughly 1 hr 05 min each way. | Fun Trip: about an hour; total time at the base as confirmed when booking | Drive, rafting, a meal and return; a town visit is only an optional addition |
| Ruggio and Malvento | About 56 km, roughly 1 hr 20 min each way. | About 4.2 km from the trailhead and back | Allow several hours for walking and enjoying the views, in addition to driving and a meal |
| Monte Pollino with a guide | About 60 km, roughly 1 hr 25 min each way. | The operator’s route: about 12 km, 6–7 hours out and back | About 9–10 hours of driving and activity combined, plus stops and preparation |
The whole day includes the drive in both directions, the activity and breaks. For rafting, the organiser gives the finishing time. For a walk, choose a length that lets you return to the car without rushing.
Orsomarso and a walk beside the Argentino
This day combines the lanes of a mountain town with a green valley. See Orsomarso in the morning, then walk along the lower Argentino and pause by the river. Return to the town for lunch, with time for a relaxed meal.
By car: about 15 km, roughly 20–25 minutes each way to Orsomarso via Marcellina and the SP10. Choose where to leave the car according to the current signs.
On foot: the lower Argentino section described in the CNR and Pollino National Park report is 3.2 km out and back from the reserve entrance. The approach from your parking spot is extra. We suggest setting aside 1.5–2 hours for a walk with stops; this is time allowed for an unhurried visit and depends on the group’s pace.
- The town: see Torre dell’Orologio and Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista, then wander into the lanes of Orsomarso.
- The valley: follow your chosen lower section from the reserve entrance and return the same way. Confirm it is accessible before leaving; on site, follow the signs, including those warning of falling rocks.
- A meal: return to Orsomarso for lunch, without adding a further loop deeper into the valley.
- The return: walk back to the car and then drive to Cedromare.
Time for the day: allow about 5–6 hours for driving, the town, the walk and lunch. This is a suggested way to organise the outing, not a measured time for the entire route; include the extra walk from your parking spot.
A picnic option: Rifugio Montano at Povera Mosca lies further into the valley and describes riverside tables, toilets, a bar and parking. If you choose to picnic there, book a table and agree how to get there in advance. Summer access rules may restrict arrival by car. This visit needs its own day plan; it is not a stop on the short walk described here.
The Povera Mosca–Golfo della Serra loop remains a separate option for a longer hike.
The Lao: rafting and time by the river
Here, the river is the main event of the day. Choose one rafting trip and leave sightseeing as a short addition after the activity. For a first trip, compare River Tribe’s Fun Trip with the shorter options from other operators.
Example drive: about 64 km, roughly 1 hr 05 min each way. The destination is the River Tribe base at Località San Primo 35 in Laino Borgo, using the coordinates published by the company. After booking, use the meeting point given in your confirmation.
- Arrive at the base at the agreed time and park where the staff direct you.
- Get ready, attend the briefing and transfer to the start of your chosen rafting trip.
- Raft and return according to the organiser’s programme.
- Change, have a meal and perhaps make a short visit to Laino Borgo.
- Drive back to Cedromare.
The Fun Trip description gives about an hour for the shortest option. Confirm the total time at the base, including preparation and transfers, when booking. A longer trip through the canyon replaces this option and may take up much of the day.
Piano Ruggio and Belvedere del Malvento
A clearing, beech woods and a panorama of rocky slopes: this outing lets you enjoy the high mountains without reaching a summit. The destination is Belvedere del Malvento, with the return along the same route.
By car: about 56 km, roughly 1 hr 20 min each way. The reference point is the car park by Rifugio De Gasperi at Piano Ruggio, described in CAI route notes. The final section follows mountain roads; do not assume the same access is possible in winter.
On foot: trail 900 from De Gasperi to the viewpoint. The park’s route description gives 2.1 km one way, so returning along the same route makes about 4.2 km. This is the distance from the trailhead, excluding any approach from a more distant parking spot. Category E on the CAI scale means a walking trail over varied terrain that may include steep sections. It requires navigation skills, hiking experience and suitable fitness. You need equipment appropriate to the route, especially hiking footwear.
- Drive to Piano Ruggio and leave your car in a permitted place near the start of the route.
- Follow trail 900 towards Belvedere del Malvento.
- Pause for the panorama and views of the pino loricato pines.
- Return along the same trail to Piano Ruggio.
- Eat the food you brought and drive back to the sea.
Allow several hours for the walk and stops, depending on your group’s pace. Leave Serra del Prete for a separate, longer outing. Bring food; in January 2026, the park reported that De Gasperi refuge was closed. Confirm it has reopened before planning to use its services.
Monte Pollino: a day for the summit
Choose a day devoted to the mountains from start to finish. From Colle Impiso, the walk passes through woods and the Gaudolino area towards Monte Pollino. Higher up, views open over the surrounding ridges, and the distinctive pines appear among the rocks.
By car: about 60 km, roughly 1 hr 25 min each way. Start at Colle Impiso. Agree the meeting point and parking with your guide.
The chosen option: Basilicata Adventure’s offer gives about 12 km and 6–7 hours out and back, with around 700 m of ascent. The organiser describes the route as difficult and requires very good fitness and mountain experience. These figures apply to this particular guided route.
- Leave Cedromare early, with the meeting time agreed before departure.
- Meet your guide at Colle Impiso and prepare for the full hike.
- Follow the chosen route through Gaudolino to Monte Pollino, 2248 m.
- Return with your guide to Colle Impiso and your car.
- After a rest, return to Cedromare without adding visits to distant towns.
Add the drive in both directions, preparation and stops to the 6–7 hours of activity. It is a long day, best reserved for this mountain alone. Winter conditions require different preparation and are not covered by this suggestion.
Other ideas for a mountain day
Verbicaro and the views
For a quieter outing, choose Verbicaro and the area around Santuario San Francesco di Paola, with time for the town and a meal. The Via della Transumanza from Le Cuture is a separate, longer version of the day, best agreed with the local CAI.
Novacco and woodland clearings
The woods around Novacco are best explored without rushing. Tavolara or Pietra Campanara can be a single walking destination; leave Caramolo for a separate summit route. Confirm the course and condition of the forest roads and access paths before you leave.
Civita and the Raganello from above
In Civita, walk through the town’s lanes, explore the area around Santa Maria Assunta and spend time enjoying the view from Djepeza. This plan leaves room for a leisurely meal. Going down to the bridge is a separate decision after checking access; the Raganello riverbed is not part of this plan.
Pellegrino, La Mula, Montea or La Caccia
Each of these mountains deserves its own outing. Choose one complete route and confirm how to reach its starting point. For Montea, an older CAI programme called for an off-road vehicle on the final stretch, so a map link alone is not enough to plan the journey in an ordinary car.
Further afield: Sirino and Sila
Sirino–Papa and Lago Laudemio
In Basilicata, the landscape of the Sirino–Papa massif combines mountains with the glacial Lago Laudemio. Visiting the lake and climbing Monte Papa are different outings. Monte Sirino is 1907 m high and Monte Papa 2005 m; these are not two names for the same peak.
This is a more distant destination to plan separately, after checking the road and conditions. For a longer journey, consider an overnight stop along the way rather than adding a summit to an already busy day by the sea.
Cupone and Lago Cecita in Sila
Sila shows Calabria through its forests and lakes. Centro Visita Cupone beside Lago Cecita combines nature education with a woodland setting. For this outing, choose Cupone and the lake area, rather than a tour of every attraction in the park. Sila National Park provides current visiting rules.
Lorica and Lago Arvo
Lorica beside Lago Arvo is another option in Sila. You can spend the day enjoying the lake landscape without adding a long trail towards Botte Donato. Before choosing, compare the driving time in both directions with the time you want to spend there.
Alburni and Cilento as part of a longer journey
The Alburni mountains belong to Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park in Campania. They offer another idea for a journey through southern Italy, especially with a stop on the way from Naples. Do not combine a demanding hike on Panormo with your flight day and the journey to Cedromare.
Back by the sea in the evening
After an outing, it is lovely to leave time for a simple evening: dinner, the terrace and a conversation about what you saw. The Cedromare holiday home lets you alternate days like these with time relaxing on the beach.
Where distances and driving times are given, they are estimates from the OSM/OSRM road model dated 24 October 2026. They do not include current traffic, stops or temporary closures. Before leaving, compare the route in your navigation app and confirm your arrival point.