Pollino National Park, National park in Cosenza, Matera and Potenza provinces, Italy.
Pollino National Park is a protected area in the provinces of Matera, Cosenza, and Potenza, spanning nearly 193,000 hectares across Calabria and Basilicata. The terrain includes mountain chains, forested slopes, grasslands, and several river systems winding through valleys.
The region received regional park status in 1985 before being declared a national park in 1991. This protection was intended to safeguard the last population of Bosnian pines in Italy, which had survived in higher altitudes.
Several villages within the park boundaries still speak an Albanian minority language that shapes everyday community life. These settlements preserve their own songs and festivals, which visitors can witness during regional events.
Authorized outlets sell official trail maps that help visitors navigate the extensive path network. Routes are suitable for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding, and it is wise to prepare for changing mountain weather.
A Heldreich's pine more than 1,200 years old stands in the park and is considered the oldest known tree in Europe. Scientists have verified its age through dendrochronology, and it regularly attracts researchers and nature lovers.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
