Pollino National Park: planning guide
Italy’s largest park — ancient loricate pines on the Basilicata–Calabria border.
Pollino National Park is in Basilicata / Calabria, Italy. The nearest town is Castrovillari — roughly 12.3 km (7.7 mi) out, about 21 min of driving.
When to go
Best window: May, June, September, and early October. Shoulder season: April and late October.
Winter is cool and wet at low elevation and snowy in the mountains, with reduced hut and refuge service.
July and August combine peak heat with peak domestic holidays. Shoulder months are both cooler and quieter.
Closest towns and cities
| Town | Distance | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Castrovillari | 12.3 km (7.7 mi) | 21 min |
| Cassano All'Ionio | 21.6 km (13.4 mi) | 35 min |
| Praia a Mare | 31.3 km (19.5 mi) | 45 min |
| Tortora Marina | 32.5 km (20.2 mi) | 47 min |
| Scalea | 32.7 km (20.3 mi) | 47 min |
| Trebisacce | 33.2 km (20.6 mi) | 47 min |
| Belvedere Marittimo | 41.5 km (25.8 mi) | 56 min |
| Rocca Imperiale | 42.2 km (26.2 mi) | 57 min |
Where Pollino National Park sits
Official Pollino National Park site — hours, closures, and fees.
Drive times from Pollino National Park
Pollino National Park sits close enough to Appennino Lucano – Val d'Agri – Lagonegrese National Park, Sila National Park, Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park, and Alta Murgia National Park that one drive from home can cover more than one park.
| Park | Apart | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Appennino Lucano – Val d'Agri – Lagonegrese National Park | 54.2 km (33.7 mi) | 1 hr 10 min |
| Sila National Park | 72 km (44.8 mi) | 1 hr 29 min |
| Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park | 80.1 km (49.8 mi) | 1 hr 38 min |
| Alta Murgia National Park | 116 km (71.9 mi) | 2 hr 9 min |
Parks close by
- Appennino Lucano – Val d'Agri – Lagonegrese National Park
Wild Lucanian Apennines with wolves, eagles, and deep valleys of Basilicata.
- Sila National Park
High plateau forests of Calabria — lakes, wolves, and cool summers.
- Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park
UNESCO coasts and hills south of Naples with Greek ruins and wild limestone.
- Alta Murgia National Park
Karst plateau and steppe in Apulia around Castel del Monte.
Common questions
Where is Pollino National Park?
Pollino National Park sits in Basilicata / Calabria, Italy. Castrovillari, about 12.3 km (7.7 mi) away — roughly 21 min of driving.
When is the best time to visit Pollino National Park?
Generally May, June, September, and early October, with April and late October quieter on either side.