Montalto: the highest peak of the Aspromonte

Montalto is the highest peak of the Aspromonte, 1,955 metres above sea level, the highest point of a massif that rises just a few kilometres from both the Tyrrhenian and the Ionian Sea. On the summit, visible from several kilometres away, stands the bronze statue of Christ the Redeemer, unveiled in 1901 and restored in 2023.

From Gambarie you can drive to a car park 16.5 kilometres away, then walk about 2 kilometres to the summit; those who prefer to walk the whole way face a 14-kilometre trail through beech forest and white fir woods, with 474 metres of ascent. On the clearest days, from the base of the statue you can see the Tyrrhenian and the Ionian at once, Etna capped with snow in winter, and the Aeolian Islands.

The climb can be done in a day by anyone staying on the coast, combining a morning at altitude with an afternoon at the sea on the Costa Viola, about forty minutes' drive from Gambarie.

Montalto, the roof of the Aspromonte

At 1,955 metres above sea level, Montalto is the highest peak of the Aspromonte and one of the highest points in Calabria. The Aspromonte massif has a rare feature in Italy: it rises just a few kilometres from the sea, so that from its summit you can see the Tyrrhenian and the Ionian at the same time.

It isn't a mountain you recognise from afar as an isolated cone: it is the highest point of a rolling plateau, covered in beech and fir, that occupies the heart of the Calabrian peninsula between Reggio Calabria and the Locride.

On the summit, resting on a stone base, stands the bronze statue of Christ the Redeemer, visible from several kilometres away on clear days and a destination for walks, pilgrimages and gatherings since the early twentieth century.

The forest that leads to the summit

Climbing towards Montalto, whether on foot or by car along the paved road, the landscape changes quickly. Above 1,100 metres, around Gambarie, the forest is dominated by beech; higher up, in the understorey of the summit beech forest, grows the white fir, which in the Aspromonte climbs to within a few metres of the top, a rare case for this species in southern Italy.

The trunks of the oldest beeches are often covered in moss, and light filters down in clear shafts when the foliage thins out, in spring and autumn. In the densest stretches the forest absorbs sound and the temperature drops noticeably compared with the coast, even in high summer.

Those walking the trail from Gambarie first cross the former ski facilities, then enter the beech forest proper up to the base of Monte Cocuzzo, from where the last stretch, marked by a wooden fence, leads to the statue.

The statue of Christ the Redeemer

The statue that dominates the summit was unveiled on 23 September 1901 by Cardinal Portanova, one of twenty statues of Christ the Redeemer commissioned on Italian peaks by Pope Leo XIII to mark the Jubilee of 1900. The Calabrian committee chose Montalto for its geographic and symbolic value: the highest, most exposed point in the region.

The bronze sculpture is the work of Francesco Ierace, cast in Rome and carried up to the Aspromonte in pieces, on mule-back, along the mule tracks that climb from Delianuova. The land on the summit was donated by Baron Stranges of San Luca.

The original ten-metre base collapsed a few years after the unveiling and was rebuilt lower. The statue withstood the 1908 earthquake with only a slight rotation of the base, but in the following decades it suffered from wind, ice and some vandalism. In 2023 the Soprintendenza commissioned work to consolidate the base, and a new wooden cross was put back on the statue in November 2025.

The view: from two seas to three volcanoes

From the base of the statue the view spans an arc that, in clear air - low humidity and wind that clears the atmosphere - can take in both seas at once: the Tyrrhenian on one side, the Ionian on the other.

On the clearest days, usually after a spell of bad weather has passed, you can also make out the smoke of three volcanoes: Etna to the south, and to the north-west the Aeolian Islands with Vulcano and Stromboli. In winter, snow-capped Etna stands out with particular clarity.

The rest of the view is all Aspromonte: wooded valleys, other peaks of the massif, and to the east a view over the Bonamico valley, where the sanctuary of Polsi stands, reachable by continuing along the same road that climbs from Gambarie.

When to go: the weather changes fast

At almost two thousand metres the weather behaves differently from the coast, even a few dozen kilometres away. A day that starts clear in Gambarie can turn into thick fog on the summit within minutes, with the beech forest filling with moisture and the trails losing visibility.

In winter Montalto is covered in snow, often more than on the coast, and the statue becomes a recurring subject for photographers who climb with snowshoes. In high summer, temperatures at the top stay cool compared with sea level, but the wind along the ridge can be strong even on calm days.

Spring and early autumn remain the periods with the clearest air and the most frequent views over both seas, before summer haze or autumn rain reduce visibility.

The trail and the practical climb

From Gambarie, Montalto can be reached in two ways. By car, you drive about 16.5 kilometres on the paved road that climbs towards Polsi, to a car park just below the summit; from there it's about 2 kilometres and 120 metres of ascent, a good hour there and back along a wide, well-marked trail, manageable even for those without much hiking experience.

On foot from Gambarie, the route is longer: about 14 kilometres with 474 metres of ascent, an estimated four hours of walking for the climb alone. The trail crosses the disused ski facilities, enters the beech forest and reaches the base of Monte Cocuzzo before the final stretch to the top.

It ranks among the accessible routes of the Aspromonte, less demanding than other peaks in the massif, but still one to tackle with hiking boots, enough water and layered clothing, given the temperature swings at altitude.

Getting there

The starting point for Montalto is Gambarie, the main tourist resort of the Aspromonte. From Reggio Calabria it's about 32 kilometres on the former state road SS183, a 35-40 minute drive that gains altitude quickly, moving from the citrus groves of the coast to chestnut woods and then the beech forest of the plateau.

Beyond Gambarie, the road towards Montalto and Polsi is paved but narrow, with continuous bends, through the woods of the interior that link towns such as Sant'Eufemia d'Aspromonte and Oppido Mamertina to the upper part of the massif. In the months with the most hikers, between June and September, the drive takes longer than expected.

Where to stay: holiday homes on the Costa Viola

Our holiday homes aren't on Montalto or elsewhere in the Aspromonte: they're on the Costa Viola, between Bagnara Calabra, Scilla and Palmi, about forty minutes' drive from Gambarie along the mountain roads.

It's a combination that works well if you want to pair the summit with a comfortable base by the sea: you can spend a morning climbing Montalto and be back the same day for a swim off the rocky coast of Scilla or a walk along the seafront at Palmi, with the Aspromonte skyline behind you.

Booking with us gives you a real base on the coast, not a mountain lodge: useful if you want to alternate hikes and beach days without changing accommodation during your stay.

Frequently asked questions about Montalto

How high is the summit of Montalto?
Montalto stands at 1,955 metres above sea level, the highest point of the Aspromonte.

Can you drive all the way to the statue?
By car you can reach a car park about 16.5 kilometres from Gambarie; from there it's about 2 kilometres on foot, with 120 metres of ascent, along a wide, marked trail.

How long does it take to walk up from Gambarie to the top?
On the trail from Gambarie it takes about 4 hours of walking for the 14 kilometres and 474 metres of ascent on the way up.

Can you really see the sea on both sides?
Yes, on days with clear air you can make out the Tyrrhenian and the Ionian Sea at the same time, and it's also possible to spot Etna and the Aeolian Islands.

What's the best time to go up?
Spring and early autumn usually offer the clearest air; in winter the summit is often snow-covered, in summer the heat is tempered by the altitude.

Where does the road to Montalto start?
From Gambarie, following the signs for Polsi: the road is paved but narrow, with many bends on the way up.