The best MTB trails around Santa Sofia D'Epiro

Lake Cecita is one of the artificial basins that has adapted best to the Sila landscape

After a ride around the lake... time for some serious charging. The local Patate della Sila IGP is not only legendary in taste, but also fuel, which grows thanks to the same water you just passed. Grown right next to the trail, it ends up on your plate before you even have time to take off your helmet😅. Perfect after the kilometers you've racked up.

The Ciclovia dei Parchi della Calabria runs around the lake. Although the entire Ciclovia is considered a route for experienced cyclists due to the significant elevation gain, the lake section is characterized by a more accessible profile. The sections are dominated by flat or gentle climbs, making it suitable for cyclists with average physical fitness. The surface is mixed, alternating between asphalt and gravel sections (natural surfaces and dirt roads), typical of cycle routes immersed in nature. For this reason, a trekking, gravel or mountain bike is most suitable.

Photos from this place best reflect the natural and wild character of Lago di Cecita, whose surface is located at 1,143 meters above sea level. The forest not only does not end at the water line, but actually penetrates it. Tall conifers and lower shrubs create a dense wall of greenery, the lowest parts of which grow out of the lake's depths. It looks as if nature perfectly incorporated the body of water into the existing forest, creating a harmonious, forest-water scenery.

Lake Cecìta rises at an altitude of 1,143 meters and was created in the 1950s by damming the Mucone river. Located in the province of Cosenza, in Sila, it is the largest of the lakes on the Sila plateau, with a water flow of 108 million cubic metres. The lake also preserves an important archaeological heritage, which came to light at the end of the 20th century: the excavations begun in 2004 made it possible to find notable finds throughout the Mucone valley. The oldest evidence dates back to the period of Neanderthal man.

A ride to the lake is worthwhile, especially at sunset. No one bothered us when we pitched our tent by the river. The starry night is a charm

Here the view offers an enchanting alternation between dense woods and vast cultivated fields, creating a perfect environment for immersing yourself in the suggestive landscape of the Sila Park. The Sila fields stretch as far as the eye can see, offering a breathtaking view of the green expanses that are lost on the horizon. This panoramic view is an invitation to explore the pristine beauty of nature and breathe in the fresh mountain air. Pedaling through these fields, you can enjoy the serenity and tranquility that only such a suggestive place can offer.

In Cava di Melis there is a heroic vineyard at 1300 m, it is the vineyard in the highest position known in Europe.