The Tracciolino at Sunset: guided hike above the Costa Viola in Palmi

Monte Sant'Elia · Palmi, Costa Viola, Calabria

17 October 2026

Concluded event

On Saturday 17 October 2026 Kalosperia leads “The Tracciolino at Sunset”, a guided nature walk along the Tracciolino path, which runs halfway up Monte Sant'Elia in Palmi, high above the sea of the Costa Viola. The group meets at 3 pm on Monte Sant'Elia for a loop of about 9 km with 300 metres of ascent and an expected duration of four hours, timed to reach the sunset with the Tyrrhenian Sea in front of you. The guides are Luca Mendicino and Christian Macrì, both registered with AIGAE. It costs €20 per person, there are 20 places and bookings are taken via WhatsApp from the organiser's website.

Date, time and meeting point

The hike takes place on Saturday 17 October 2026. The meeting time is 3 pm on Monte Sant'Elia, the mountain that rises above Palmi to the south: this is the time given by Kalosperia on the event page and on the poster, while an earlier version of the regional events calendar said 4 pm.

The organisers only give “Monte Sant'Elia - Palmi” as the meeting place, without a precise address, so it is worth asking for the exact spot when you book, also to plan where to leave the car. The early-afternoon start means you walk the path in full daylight and reach the panoramic stretch as the sun drops towards the sea.

The route: a 9 km loop on the Tracciolino

The Tracciolino path runs halfway up the side of Monte Sant'Elia, on a line that drops sheer to the sea of the Costa Viola, and it is one of the two main hiking routes on Sant'Elia, listed among the nature trails of Calabria. The itinerary chosen by Kalosperia is a loop of about 9 kilometres, with 300 metres of ascent and an expected duration of four hours.

You walk with the Tyrrhenian Sea in front of you: along the way the view opens onto the Strait of Messina and, on the clearest days, the Aeolian Islands. The pace is that of an unhurried walk, designed to wait for the light to change and enjoy the sunset over the horizon, “until the last light”, as the organisers put it.

Price, places and how to book

The fee is €20 per person and there are 20 places available. Bookings are made through the WhatsApp button on the event page on the Kalosperia website; the poster also gives the direct number of guide Luca Mendicino (+39 347 1192418) for information and bookings.

The page does not say what the fee includes beyond the guides: ask about insurance, transport or stops when you book. With so few places available, it is best to book a few days ahead.

The AIGAE guides and the organiser, Kalosperia

The hike is organised by Kalosperia, a Calabrian project offering hikes, multi-day walks, workshops and other ways of discovering the region, under the motto “Rediscover places. Inhabit time.”. On the Tracciolino the group will be led by Luca Mendicino and Christian Macrì, both qualified environmental hiking guides registered with AIGAE, the Italian national association of hiking guides.

The Tracciolino is a route Kalosperia returns to: the event description speaks of going back to “one of the most striking paths in Calabria”. With two guides and 20 places available, the group stays small and the walk can proceed calmly, with stops along the way.

What to bring and when you get back

The organiser's page does not list required gear or a difficulty grade. For a 9-kilometre loop with 300 metres of ascent the basic rules still apply: hiking shoes with a good grip, water, a snack and an extra layer, because it gets cooler on the mountain after sunset.

With a 3 pm start and an expected duration of four hours, you should be back at around 7 pm, when it is already dark: a head torch in your backpack is a sensible precaution. For questions about minimum age, dogs or the fitness level required, ask the guides directly.

Monte Sant'Elia and what to see in Palmi

Monte Sant'Elia, about 580 metres high, is a coastal ridge of the Aspromonte overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea and is known as the “balcony over the Tyrrhenian”. Its slopes are covered in maritime pines and chestnut trees and fall within the protected areas of the Natura 2000 network. On the summit stand the church of Sant'Elia, rebuilt in 1958 where ancient monasteries once stood, and the viewpoint with three white crosses, from where the view stretches from Capo Vaticano to the Strait, the Aeolian Islands and Etna.

If you arrive a few hours early or stay on the next day, the page on what to see in Palmi gathers more ideas for exploring the town, which is also home to the museums of the Casa della Cultura “Leonida Repaci”.

A walking weekend on the Costa Viola

If you want to turn the hike into a weekend in the area, there is another option the following day: on Sunday 18 October Palmi hosts the Train Trekking on the Leonida Itinerary, another walk on the Costa Viola.

For somewhere to stay between Palmi, Bagnara and Scilla, browse the holiday rentals on the Costa Viola. As the organisers point out, the Aeolian Islands are only visible from the Tracciolino on the clearest days: Saturday's weather will decide how far you can see, but sunset over the Tyrrhenian remains the high point of the walk.

Frequently asked questions

When is The Tracciolino at Sunset 2026?

On Saturday 17 October 2026, meeting at 3 pm on Monte Sant'Elia in Palmi.

How much does it cost?

The fee is €20 per person. There are 20 places available.

How do I book the hike?

Through the WhatsApp button on the event page at kalosperia.it, or by contacting guide Luca Mendicino on the number shown on the poster (+39 347 1192418).

How long and demanding is the route?

It is a loop of about 9 km with 300 metres of ascent and an expected duration of four hours. The organiser gives no difficulty grade, but you should be used to walking.

When do you get back, and do I need a torch?

Starting at 3 pm and lasting about four hours, you get back at around 7 pm, after sunset. Bringing a head torch is recommended.

Who leads the group?

Luca Mendicino and Christian Macrì, AIGAE-registered environmental hiking guides working with Kalosperia.

What can you see from the Tracciolino?

The path runs high above the Costa Viola: you can see the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Strait of Messina and, on clear days, the Aeolian Islands.

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