An area of undisputed environmental, naturalistic and biodiversity value, which falls largely within the Parco Nazionale della Sila (Sila National Park). This plateau, covered by forests, lakes and nature, also preserves a valuable historical, cultural and architectural heritage in which we can see the testimonies of illustrious personalities who have marked its history and shaped its identity.
In recent years, also through the action carried out in the territories with the LEADER programme and the involvement of new enterprises led by young people and local communities, this area has been structuring and organising itself as a quality tourist destination in which the area’s products and sustainable and accessible hospitality services are gaining in importance.
With the “Le strade del benessere” (The roads of wellbeing) cooperation project financed by measure 19.3 of the 2014-2022 Calabria Psr, the Sila Sviluppo Gal, together with the other cooperating Gal, wanted to offer the population and the many visitors new sustainable tourism products centred on the theme of “being well” and aimed at wellbeing tourists, who are looking for new experiences of slow and active travel.
This project aims to strengthen and improve the offer of the Sila tourist destination and is part of the broader planning of the Distretto Turistico Altopiano della Sila (Sila Plateau Tourist District). An area rich in forests, lakes, typical products and villages that preserve ancient stories and traditions. When one thinks of an area in which to take a break from the frenetic pace of modern life and the stresses of everyday life, the Sila is certainly one of the best choices one can make.
A journey that allows one to live many different experiences, but all united by a common thread: to allow the visitor to rediscover the well-being of body and spirit. In Sila, one can travel among the villages of the plateau, discovering craft traditions and an ancient culture. You caǹ take a real bath in the forest, crossing the centuries-old woods and forests of the national park on foot or by bicycle, and you caǹ rediscover spiritualitỳ visiting the monasteries and churches you come across in the area and which are the guardians of ancient stories and legends.
The wellness trails in Sila are also those that lead to the discovery of good, healthy food, thanks to the genuine, zero-kilometre products that can be tasted in Sila.
Specialities that are the fruit of the skilful hands of the farmers who have contributed to transforming this territory into a place rich in typical̀ and peasant civilisation dishes.
The ‘Sila – Bella di Natura‘ (Sila – Beautiful of Nature) brand represents the icon of a competitive and attractive territorial tourism product, which the Sila operators are going to realise with a view to an integrated and sustainable tourism system
The creation of this innovative territorial brand is centred on the creation and narration of four thematic routes that enhance the territory’s environmental and historical-cultural excellences in synergy with the activities of the tourist, agri-food and craft enterprises that have joined the project.
What emerges is an overall picture of absolute richness capable of projecting Sila among the most sought-after and qualified destinations in the national and international tourist market. An experience to be enjoyed all year round through authentic interaction with the identity of the territory and the proverbial hospitality of the Silan people.
