TREKKING Pollino. Mount Alps

Every walk can turn into a journey, wherever it is as long as the journey starts within us first to leave room for discovery.

River Tribe includes among its activities a suggestive route among the highest peaks of Basilicata, on the northern edge of the UNESCO Geopark of Pollino, the Trekking Monte Alpi.

Walking through the countryside of Castelsaraceno you can see it emerge with its two twin peaks Santa Croce (1893 m) and Pizzo Falcone (1900), which together with the other two smaller peaks (Punta del Corvo and Monte Armizzone), not only form one of the highest mountains of the Lucanian Apennines, but give life to one of the most interesting and intact areas of the largest National Park in Italy.

Curiosity arises from the association of the name of this mountain with the most famous Alpine mountain range. It seems that its name derives from the local word "Harpo", later transformed into the various transcriptions of the official geographical maps in the Alps. The harpo is a sickle used by local populations for cutting herbs or wheat when it was still harvested by hand, associated with the mountain due to the shape it takes, seen from above, joining the three main peaks that compose it.

Monte Alpi is an experiential trekking dedicated to everyone, especially nature lovers and all those who want to get closer to slow tourism, the tourism on foot, in the uncontaminated and wild vegetation of the Pollino.

Therefore, before reaching the summit you need to fill your backpack with all the necessary equipment without forgetting to bring with you the desire to learn, share and imagination. Three elements which, when walking with our trekking guides, fit together perfectly.

There is a desire to know why from an environmental and naturalistic point of view Monte Alpi offers breathtaking scenery. A precious location also for its history and traditions, linked to the population who have left signs in the culture, language and architecture, visible in the typical villages of Latronico and Castelsaraceno. Here the processing of the original gray stone of Latronico.

The expanses of rock covered by snow during the winter period first give way to soft clay undulations and then to specimens of holly. After about 1 km from our departure at 1250 meters above sea level, we immerse ourselves in the beautiful beech forest of the mountain that crosses Timpa Carlone, from here between a sloping climb, a slight slope and a short descent the last climb that leads to Monte Teduro. Step by step you happen to observe the passage of local fauna: wild boars, badgers and porcupines. The brown squirrel runs silently among the trees. Mistrust and cunning instead reduces the probability of the infamous encounter with the wild cat or even more so with the Pollino wolves. Keeping us company from above are the peregrine falcons, the black kite and a buzzard. And, if tiredness makes itself felt, the best antidote to deceive the fear of fatigue is the curiosity to know what awaits us once we reach the summit, to have a clear image of what we can see from the highest peak of Pizzo Falcone at 1900 metres.

There is always something magical in reaching the highest point, whether in complete solitude or in company, the feeling of the moment is the same; stop thinking and there is only you; you and all that sky, among the infinite expanses. The magic is seeing him emerge, he is the symbol of the Pollino National Park, he is the Loricato Pine. It is he who has watched over the mountain for centuries which turns red in autumn. Defined by many as a "living fossil" or even "tree dinosaur. It is the icing on the cake of a perfect ecosystem.

In that instant we reconnect to that primitive energy of nature, suffocated by our daily frenzy. Up there at the top the taste of sacrifice is very sweet, an extraordinary union is created between mind and body. As in all trekking River Tribe on Pollino routes what every traveler brings with them is the magic of these unique moments and the emotion you feel in sharing them, this is what we like to do. This is how special bonds and lasting friendships are created. This is the part we love the most: meeting again for the first time.