Giants of the Sila
Spezzano della Sila, Italy
A grove of Calabrian black pines and maples several centuries old, some over 40 m tall, looked after by the FAI. An easy loop path winds between the trunks.
The Giganti della Sila is a grove of more than 60 ancient pines and sycamore maples in the Giganti di Fallistro nature reserve, covering about 5 ha at roughly 1,400 m on the Sila plateau near Spezzano della Sila. The trees are put at around 350 years old, are said to have been planted in the 17th century under the Mollo barons, and grow up to 45 m tall. Many trunks still bear the cuts left by resin tappers. The FAI (Italian National Trust) has looked after the trees since 2016; that same year the Mollo siblings donated Casino Mollo, a 17th-century hunting lodge, to the FAI.
Important: in July 2026 the FAI suspended visits to the grove after two of the trees fell. Experts are first to assess the stability of the oldest specimens, after which the visitor routes are to be redesigned. The FAI page still describes the grove as closed until further notice (as of October 2026). In July, Casino Mollo stayed open as a reception and service center. Check the FAI website before you travel.
- Nearest town
- Spezzano della Sila, Italy
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 39.3200, 16.5160
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in February–March, June, August and December. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Italy: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autostrade; pay at the barrier by card or cash. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Rifugio Dei Peccatori Di GolaCampsite5 km from Giants of the SilaTentsCaravans
- Camping LoricaCampsite8 km from Giants of the SilaTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowed
- Camping La FattoriaCampsite8 km from Giants of the SilaCaravansMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposal
- Hotel Camping Cecita Sul LagoCampsite8 km from Giants of the SilaTentsCaravans
- Camping ArvoCampsite8 km from Giants of the SilaTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalDogs allowed
- Bici & Caravan ParkCampsite21 km from Giants of the Sila · 10 pitchesCaravansMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposal
All campsites in Italy · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Giants of the Sila?
Giants of the Sila is in Spezzano della Sila, Italy, at GPS 39.3200, 16.5160. It is about 6 km from Camigliatello Silano.
Can you camp near Giants of the Sila?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Rifugio Dei Peccatori Di Gola, about 5 km away; within 25 km there are 9 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Giants of the Sila?
Giants of the Sila is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Pollino and Sila: Calabria’s mountain heart.
What is there to see near Giants of the Sila?
Places worth a stop nearby: Codex Purpureus, Rossano (30 km), Devil’s Bridge on the Raganello (59 km), Piedigrotta church (71 km) and Santa Maria dell’Isola (89 km).
When is the best time to visit Giants of the Sila?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in February–March, June, August and December. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)