Calabria is extraordinary for explorers like us: in the same day it is possible to go from the sea to the mountains, from beautiful coastlines to wild, unspoiled mountain landscapes.
This is the case in Civita, a village at the foot of the Pollino mountain range, which can be reached in a very short time from State Road 106 that runs along the sea.
Getting to Civita
As mentioned, Civita is very easy to reach from State Highway 106, thus going from beautiful coastlines to mountainous landscapes in less than an hour.
The village of Civita
The village of Civita is nestled in the Pollino Mountains at the foot of the “demanio stone,” an imposing rock formation that dominates the entire village.
Despite being a small village, Civita has so much to offer: the old town center itself is a little gem to visit; then there is the Devil’s Bridge and the Raganello stream gorges, the main reasons for this article and which we will look at in detail.
The Devil's Bridge of Civita
Civita’s “devil’s bridge” is a small, single-arch stone bridge about 36 meters long, which stands out over the Raganello stream, allowing it to cross its gorges and connect the upper Ionian area with the mountains of the Pollino range.
Its construction is ancient: legend has it that given the impossibility for man to build such a work in his time, the intervention of the devil was required to allow its construction, promising the latter the soul of the first person to cross it.
Reaching the Devil’s Bridge
The Devil’s Bridge is the main access to the Raganello Gorge, and it can be reached in essentially two ways: on foot via the “Devil’s Walk,” or by a shuttle service offered by local operators.
Reaching the Devil’s Bridge via the “Devil’s Walk”
The Devil’s Walk is a comfortable but fairly challenging trail that is taken from the center of Civita. It is about 500 meters of elevation gain.
Reaching the Devil’s Bridge via shuttle service
If you do not want to walk the Devil’s Walk and prefer a more convenient option, you can reach the bridge via the shuttle service offered by operators on site.
From the center of Civita you will find operators’ off-road vehicles that depart to the Devil’s Bridge about every half hour. The cost is 5€ per person and includes both descent and ascent.
The operators are very knowledgeable and courteous, and the route is on an off-road vehicle through a narrow road and is great fun to do.
Here we are at the devil’s bridge
We tried the fun shuttle service to get to the Devil’s Bridge.
We went down in an all-terrain vehicle with other people and arrived at a collection point near the bridge. After a few more meters we were at the bridge.
The bridge is small but impressive. It is all made of stone and only when you walk over it do you realize its height. It is perched between the two canyon walls and standing on it you can admire from above all the beauty of the Raganello gorges.
We descend into the gorges of the raganello
From the Devil’s Bridge we descend a few hundred meters via an easy but somewhat steep path and we are already inside the gorges!
If earlier from the bridge we admired the gorges from above, now that we are inside them the spectacle is even better.
We are with our feet in the clear waters of the Raganello stream, and we feel on our bare feet all the coolness of these waters.
The route is easy and the spectacle is truly splendid: we can admire the gorges in all their majesty and see the bridge looming high above our heads.
Then a waterfall in which some people find refreshment and imposing boulders on which others spread their tarps and relax in the sun.
We relax inside the gorges enjoying the coolness of the Raganello waters.
It is August and the heat is felt. But inside the gorges, the air is cooler and the cold waters of the Raganello River provide considerable refreshment.
In fact, the place is quite busy: there are several people enjoying the spectacle and coolness offered by this beautiful place.
Considerations on devil's bridge and Raganello gorges in Civita
The village of Civita is very beautiful is easily accessible, as are its main attractions: the Devil’s Bridge and the Raganello gorges.
The gorges in particular are truly splendid, a true natural spectacle to go into and fully enjoy all the wonders it has to offer.
Useful links
Below are some useful links to plan your visit to Civita and see the Devil’s Bridge and the Raganello Gorges.
