Steam Train into Sila National Park

[Italy4me]

There is a steam train that runs from Cosenza to Camigliatello in the Sila national park.

It would be a lovely trip into the snow (but there isn't any at the moment) and just as lovely in the spring when all the wild flowers are in bloom and there is a fantastic big lake at Camigliatello.

I believe the service only runs on certain days but here's a link so you can have a look:
http://www.miaferrovia.it/storia/sila.asp

Lesley

[sue smith]

How wonderful - I love steam trains ! That is a definate for this year, hopefully it will be running when we are over !

Sue

xx

[JanetC]

Hi Lesley and Sue:

During the Christmas week, we drove to one of the Sila ski resorts. We went through clouds with minimum visibility but when we got to the resort area, we had blue skies. At the time (December 27th)they had snow but definitely needed more. The resort offered downhill skiing, snowboarding and sledding. Everything can be rented there (including winter jackets and gloves). The train would be a fun way to see the area even during the spring/summer. Thank you for the link!

Janet

[caoimho]

hi lesley and brian
what a fantastic find this is....will definitely be trying this out in april..thanks also for putting my pics on the album( though i think i need to make the next ones a wee bit smaller)..grazie ancora
ciao a presto.
kev,niamh and le pazze

[fifi]

We headed to that ski resort last Feb it was the best.What a beautiful town .So cheap to hire the equipment.A very beautiful place.I would really recommend a drive up.x fifi

[Italy4me]

Thanks Janet & Fifi,
It's great to hear from folk who have already made the trip and find out that its worth the effort.
I think Margaret has also been along there as she has posted some pictures.
The Sila photo album is here and the facilities look good!
http://www.scalea.info/forum/album_cat.php?cat_id=6

Lesley

How long dos it take to drive from Scalea? Lynn

[Margaret]

Hi all - noticed my name - have been trying to post message but keep getting 'anti-spam' message. Anyone else with same problem?

[Margaret]

Right - here goes again! The La Sila pictures on file we took when we went up to Camigliatello from Cosenza and then went around the Lago di Cecita. On the way up we crisscrossed the lttle railway track several times. The views were pretty incredible. On the way back the idiot part of the venture - me - thought it would be a short cut to take the road that comes down into Fuscaldo and so avoid Cosenza. Long cut would be the word for it - v.high and v.isolated but again incredible views. We did the trip in a day but if you have enough time I would have thought it would be worth staying somewhere for a night. Would like to hear if anyone does the train trip and back in a day as I'd like to do it but wouldn't be able to spare more than a day. Another lake we visited was one above Lagonegro - Lago Sirino - again good views and a good restaurant when you get there - the restaurant is at the other end of the lake from where you arrive at. Cheers M

[truffles]

Hi

Its very interesting to read all the information posted here - it just makes us want to be there! We are coming over in February and did want to visit the ski resort - we've never ski'd before and not sure we would be able to! Is it worth a trip for non-skiers? Can you hire everything or would you need to take something with you - and do they do lessons? Thanks for your help.
Debbie

[JanetC]

Hi Debbie:

We were at the ski resort in December and they do rent everything (equipment, boots, gloves, etc). They did have a cabin for the Ski School - so I am sure that they give lessons. I heard that January and February are the best times to ski there. It is about a 2 1/2 hour drive from Scalea depending on the traffic.

Have a great time!

Janet

[fifi]

Hi Debbie,we were over last Feb it was great none of us ski havent got a clue but the place was lovely. The drive was really easy and there were a few hotels open for lunch, great meal.We bought the tickets to go up on the cars to see the view it was beautiful.Do hope you take the trip. Cheers Fifi

[truffles]

Thanks for the replies - think we will definitely have a trip there this time in between building flat pack furniture!

Thanks
Debbie