The Sila at a glance
The Sila is a plateau in the interior of Calabria, far from the beach feel of Tropea or Pizzo. The national park describes large plains at an average height of over 1,300 m (about 4,300 ft) and wide forests of pine and beech. Three big reservoirs, Cecita, Arvo and Ampollino, sit in this landscape.
Treat the Sila as a separate trip from the coast. The air is cooler, the weather follows the altitude, and the pace is slower. The park describes the climate as cool-temperate. Summers are moderate and dry at lower levels and cooler higher up, and rain and temperature change with height and exposure. Check the Calabria weather guide before you pack.
Giganti della Sila: closed in 2026
This is the most important planning note for the Sila this year.
The Giganti della Sila forest reserve is closed to visitors. After two trees fell, the operator (FAI) suspended visits on 24 July 2026. The operator's visit page still lists the temporary closure, and no reopening date is given.
The Casino Mollo, a separate building, was announced as open in the same July notice. It was restored and inaugurated in July 2025. It does not replace the forest walk. Do not plan a day around the forest and do not look for ways around the closure. Check the operator's visit page for the current status before you drive up.
Sila and inland Calabria tours
Guided excursions to the Sila National Park and the interior of Calabria, with live prices and availability.
The lakes: Cecita, Arvo and Ampollino
Cecita, Arvo and Ampollino are large artificial lakes, created by damming. The park lists sailing and canoeing as activities at the lakes, with rental in summer. That does not tell you whether you can swim, and it does not mean a rental is open in autumn, so ask locally before you plan around it.
Cecita is the lake with the Cupone visitor center and a picnic area on its shore. Arvo and Ampollino are the other two reservoirs, and all three are best approached as quiet places for a walk and a view rather than for swimming.
Cupone visitor center on Lago Cecita
The Cupone visitor center is an environmental education center on Lago Cecita. It has nature trails, wildlife observation, a museum and a geological garden, and a picnic area by the lake. It is a practical first stop in the park.
Free guided visits for school classes and organized groups are offered on prior request through the Carabinieri biodiversity service. This is not a free guided tour for individual visitors. Ask at the center what it offers on your day.
Walks and trails
The nature trails at Cupone are the simplest place to start a walk in the forest. For longer routes, ask at a visitor center about the current trail conditions before you set out. Trails can change with weather and fallen trees, as the Giganti closure shows.
Bring layers, sturdy shoes and water. It can be much cooler than on the coast, even when the sea is warm. Do not enter the closed Giganti reserve on foot.
Where to base yourself and how to get there
Camigliatello Silano and Lorica are two bases on the plateau; see where to stay in Calabria for a comparison with the coast. Check local bus timetables to Camigliatello before you rely on public transport. For a rental car and the routes from Lamezia Terme, read the Lamezia Terme airport guide.
If you are staying on the Tyrrhenian coast, plan the Sila as its own day. For the coast, see Tropea, and for more ideas the things to do in Calabria.
Sila National Park: frequently asked questions
Is the Giganti della Sila open?
No. The forest has been closed to visits since 24 July 2026 after two trees fell. No reopening date has been announced. Check the operator's visit page before you travel.
Which lakes are in the Sila?
The park names three large artificial lakes: Cecita, Arvo and Ampollino.
Can I swim in the lakes?
Do not assume so. The park describes sailing and canoeing, not swimming. Ask locally and follow any signs.
What is there to do at Cupone?
The visitor center has nature trails, wildlife observation, a museum, a geological garden and a picnic area on Lago Cecita.
How cold does it get compared with the coast?
The plateau is cooler, since the large plains lie above 1,300 m on average. Weather changes with altitude and exposure, so dress in layers.
Where should I stay for the Sila?
Camigliatello Silano and Lorica are two bases on the plateau. Coastal weather does not apply there, so pack for cooler air. See where to stay in Calabria for the comparison.