CARAFFA - TORRE DI RUGGIERO

Departing from Caraffa (CZ), one proceeds in the direction of Girifalco, a hill town of medieval origins that is reached after 12 km, the last six of which are mostly uphill. A climb that continues for another 8.5 km to the Ponticelle Junction where you must turn left to begin a descent about 10 km long on SP 145 to reach San Vito sullo Ionio. From here you begin a pleasant climb along SP172 and SP182, crossing Chiaravalle Centrale and climbing among hazelnut and beech groves, leading to Torre di Ruggiero, a village in the Catanzaro preserre, and home to the Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grazie, one of the most important centers of worship in Calabria. The route is part of the Natural Parks of Calabria cycle route.