The Calore Gorges: the hidden canyon of Cilento

The Calore River has done a painstaking job for thousands of years: it has carved the limestone rock of Cilento, creating a spectacular canyon that few know about but that everyone should see at least once. The Calore Gorges (Gole del Calore) are one of those surprises that Italy hides in its wildest corners, far from mass tourism and social media.

Getting here isn't easy, and perhaps that's the beauty of it. From Felitto, a small Cilento town that looks like it's from an old postcard, a trail descends towards the river. Don't expect signs every hundred meters: here, you need to follow your instinct and the sound of the water which will guide you toward the canyon.

The first impact is that of a world you don't expect. The rock walls rise for tens of meters on the sides of the river, creating a natural corridor where the sun only reaches during certain times of the day. The water flows fast and transparent, an emerald green that seems too beautiful to be true. The temperature here is always a few degrees cooler than outside, a perfect natural relief for summer days.

Swimming in the pools is an unforgettable experience. The water is cold, very cold, but with a purity you can feel on your skin. There are natural basins carved by the current where you can bathe surrounded by rock walls that resemble the walls of a cathedral. The silence is almost total: only the gurgling of the water and, if you're lucky, the call of a bird hidden among the rocks.

The rocks are slippery, which must be said right away. You need to be careful walking along the riverbed, but the effort is repaid by incredible views around every bend. There are spots where the canyon narrows so much that you can touch both walls by stretching out your arms, and others where it widens into breathtaking natural amphitheatres. It's not a place for everyone: you need a minimum of adventurous spirit and shoes you aren't afraid to get wet. But if you love true nature, the kind that hasn't been domesticated by man, the Calore Gorges will give you authentic emotions.

From Salerno, you can reach Felitto in about an hour by car. The town has very limited parking, so arrive early in the morning. Bring a swimsuit, water shoes, and a water bottle: you won't find bars or restaurants here, just nature in its purest state. The trail isn't marked very well, so if you're not experienced, ask the locals for directions or, even better, join a guided excursion organized by local associations. The water is cold even in the height of summer, but it's worth diving at least once into this hidden jewel of Southern Italy.

Photo credits: Manuela Martinelli - licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.