Aspromonte tour along the Ionian coast

Route details

A 434-km tour through the southernmost tip of the Italian mainland. The Tourer combines the Ionian coastal road SS106 with the winding Mountain roads of the Aspromonte National Park.

This Tourer leads through Calabria, the southernmost region of the Italian mainland. It starts in Catanzaro on the Ionian coast. The route first heads south on the SS106 Jonica - a coastal road that runs for 481 kilometers through Apulia, Basilicata and Calabria, with numerous turn-offs to tourist destinations.

The southern turning point at Palizzi is already close to the tip of the boot. From there, the route leads to Reggio Calabria, the largest city in the region, known for the National Archaeological Museum with the famous Bronzes of Riace - two Greek bronze statues from the 5th century BC, almost two meters high, which were discovered off the coast in 1972.

The heart of the Tourer is the crossing of the Aspromonte National Park via the NSA 571 d'Aspromonte. The Aspromonte (literally: 'rough mountain') is a mountain massif with the 1,955 m high Montalto as its highest peak. The Mountain roads are characterized by beech, pine and chestnut forests as well as narrow, winding passages. The Aspromonte was recognized by UNESCO as a Global Geopark in 2021.

Some of the roads in the Aspromonte are narrow and have no central reservation. Rockfalls are not uncommon - the NSA 571 has already been temporarily closed several times due to rockfalls. The surface varies between well-built sections and older roads with patches. The Switchbacks require concentrated driving; uphill traffic has priority on narrow Pass roads.

In terms of traffic, Calabria is one of the loneliest regions in Italy. Outside the main season and away from the coastal towns, you can expect very little traffic. The mountain villages such as Platì are remote; the infrastructure is sparse.

Along the Route, you pass Gerace, a medieval mountain village at an altitude of 500 m, which is considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. The largest Romanesque cathedral in Calabria from the 11th century and a Norman castle characterize the townscape. The view from here stretches as far as the Ionian Sea.

Note the climate: Bathing temperatures prevail on the coast early in the year, while there may still be snow in Aspromonte. In summer, the mountains are pleasantly cool, while the coast can be very hot. The contrasts between sea and mountain make this Tourer attractive - within a few kilometers the landscape changes from Mediterranean coast to dense mountain forest.