Monte Botte Donato

1,928 m

Italy

Also known as Ботте-Донато

Ботте-Донато

Elevation: 1,928 m
Prominence: 1,310 m
Difficulty: 2/10; Hike
Best Season: May–Sep
Routes: 1

AdvisoryReported 14 Sep 2026 · until 31 Oct 2026
The Lorica lifts, including the Cavaliere–Monte Botte Donato gondola, closed for maintenance on 14 September 2026 and reopen at weekends only during September and October 2026 (October: 10:00–17:00, last run down from the top).
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Routes

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SACT2HikeNormal route

Sources differ: E (CAI scale (Parco Nazionale della Sila / Sentiero Calabria))

A long, gentle forest walk from Lorica (about 1,330 m) on Lago Arvo: a few flat kilometres along the lake, then a steady climb through forest on the Sentiero Italia to the saddle by the old refuge and the top lift station (about 1,900 m), and a short walk to the antenna-topped summit. About 15–16 km and 600–700 m of ascent, around 4 h 30 min one way.

Elevation Profile

approximate line

Distance: 11.3 km; one way
Ascent: +704 m; −81 m lost on the way up
High Point: 1,928 m
Time Up: 4h 05m; DIN 33466
Time Down: 3h 40m; DIN 33466 · same way back

From Lorica (about 1,330 m), on the shore of Lago Arvo, the Sentiero Italia CAI (stage SI U19, also stage 21 of the Sentiero Calabria) runs for the first few kilometres almost flat along the lake towards Cavaliere, where the gondola to Monte Botte Donato starts. It then climbs steadily, almost entirely in forest with few views, to the saddle facing the summit at about 1,900 m, where the disused Rifugio Monte Botte Donato and the upper gondola station stand on a knoll above a ski run. From the saddle a narrow paved road and then a wide track lead in a few minutes to the summit (1,928 m), which is flattened and occupied by telephone antennas and relay masts. The views are better from the refuge knoll: over Lago Arvo, Lago Cecita and the forests and valleys of the Sila. The park gives 4 h 30 min, 16.3 km and 679 m of ascent for the Sentiero Calabria version (14.8 km and 567 m for the CAI stage to the refuge). The walk is technically easy (CAI 'E') but long and mostly in woodland; the Strada delle Vette road also reaches the summit area. A shorter option starts from the gondola base at Cavaliere (about 1,400 m), about 500 m of ascent; or ride the gondola up and walk down. Descend the same way, or continue north on stage SI U20 to Camigliatello Silano.

Start

Lorica1,301 m

Cavaliere (Lorica)–Monte Botte Donato gondola (8-seat, 2,192 m long, 1,405–1,877 m), run by Ferrovie della Calabria in summer and at weekends in autumn
No public transport verified to Lorica; regional buses serve the Sila towns (San Giovanni in Fiore, Camigliatello Silano) from Cosenza
Parking at the trailhead

Stages

Day	Stage	km	m ascent	m descent	Time
1	Lorica → Monte Botte Donato	11.3	704	81	4h 05m

Waypoints

Trailhead:
Lorica1,301 m
Col:
Rifugio Botte Donato1,871 m
Saddle with the disused refuge and the upper gondola station
Summit:
Monte Botte Donato1,928 m

Key Passages

Lago Arvo shore
Forest climb to the Botte Donato saddle
Summit antenna site

Equipment

0/5 packed

Footwear

Walking boots or trail shoesRequired

Clothing

Waterproof and warm layerRequired

Navigation

Map or GPS tracklong forest sections with many forest tracksRecommended

Other

Waterdrinking water only listed at LoricaRequired
Snowshoeswinter, when the Sila is snow-coveredRecommended

Downloads

Route confidence 65%

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Overview

The highest point of the Sila plateau in Calabria (1,928 m), a rounded, forested summit topped by antennas above Lago Arvo. A long but easy forest walk on the Sentiero Italia from Lorica, or a gondola ride from Cavaliere, reaches the top.

Monte Botte Donato rises at the centre of the main east–west ridge of the Sila Grande, the granite upland that fills the interior of northern Calabria and is protected by the Sila National Park. It is the watershed between the Arvo valley to the south and the Garga, Neto and Cardone valleys to the north. With more than 1,300 m of prominence it is one of the most independent summits of southern Italy, but it does not look dramatic: dense forest covers its slopes, and the flattened summit carries telephone antennas and relay masts reached by a narrow road.

The interest lies in the walk and the views. The Sentiero Italia CAI crosses the mountain from Lorica on Lago Arvo to Camigliatello Silano, climbing through forest to the saddle by the old refuge and the top gondola station, where the panorama opens over Lago Arvo, Lago Cecita and the Sila. The Strada delle Vette runs along the ridge from Lorica to the Monte Scuro pass, and a gondola from Cavaliere near Lorica rises to just below the summit, so the top is easy to reach without walking.

In winter the mountain is the centre of the small Lorica ski area and the plateau is often snow-covered, making it a snowshoe objective.

Climbing Notes

Technically easy (CAI 'E'). From Lorica allow about 4 h 30 min one way for 15–16 km and 600–700 m of ascent; from the gondola base at Cavaliere about 500 m of ascent. Much of the walk is in forest with few views, so the gondola down (or up) is a common choice when it is running. Carry water, as springs are listed only at Lorica, and a GPS track or map for the forest sections.

The disused Rifugio Monte Botte Donato offers no overnight accommodation; stay in Lorica or Camigliatello Silano. In winter expect snow from roughly December to March; snowshoes and warm clothing are needed, and the ski area's pistes should be avoided when the lifts run.

Season

Best May–Sep

January: Possible
February: Possible
March: Possible
April: Good
May: Best (best window)
June: Best (best window)
July: Best (best window)
August: Best (best window)
September: Best (best window)
October: Good
November: Possible
December: Possible

Jan: Snow; snowshoe walk; ski area may be operating
Feb: Snow; snowshoes
Mar: Late snow in the forest
Apr: Snow patches possible on the upper ridge
May: Good walking conditions
Jun: Good walking conditions
Jul: Gondola running in summer; afternoon storms possible
Aug: Busy holiday month; gondola running
Sep: Gondola at weekends only after mid-September (2026)
Oct: Autumn colours; gondola at weekends only (2026)
Nov: Cold, wet weather; possible first snow
Dec: Snow likely

Access & Permits

Fees

Gondola (2025/2026 prices): one-way EUR 7 weekday / EUR 8 holiday; return EUR 11 / EUR 12; reduced fares for ages 5–14 and over 65

Rules

Sila National Park: follow national park rules and stay on marked paths
The summit is occupied by telecommunications installations

Getting There

Lorica (San Giovanni in Fiore); Camigliatello Silano to the north

Lamezia Terme (SUF)

By car from Cosenza across the Sila to Lorica on Lago Arvo (on the SS108bis), or along the Strada delle Vette from Lorica towards the summit area
Gondola from Località Cavaliere near Lorica to just below the summit (Ferrovie della Calabria)

Hazards

Weather