Giro del Monte Stella
Distance, elevation and difficulty
Difficulty: medium
Starting and ending in Pollica, this route takes you on a 36km ride around the Monte Stella. The starting elevation in Pollica is around 320m and the highest point at Serramezzana is just above 700m.
Notes: There are only two short steep bits, while the rest is comfortable rise or delirious descent.
The road up to Serramezzana
The route
Starting in Pollica, follow the road to Celso and then past Galdo and on up to San Mauro. At the fork in the road turn right and into Casal Sottano (the higher of the two San Mauro’s. Through the arch and past the bar turn right and through the second arch to exit toward Serramezzana. Keep on following the road for around a km outside San Mauro and in the woods you will come across a water source to fill your drinking bottle. Don’t turn down to serramezzana but instead head towards Mercato Cilento. You will reach the highest point here after two zig-zag uphill stretches of road. Have a stop before enjoying a few kilometres downlill on the other side. After the run downhill through the chestnut woods, take the right turn towards San Mango and again stop for water on the entry into this town. If you want a coffee or refreshments from a bar try the Zi Cumba’ bar in San Mango - apparently it is also a restaurant that serves good food.
The Palazzo Baronale of San mango Cilento
Follow on to Sessa Cilento and then Omignano paese (as opposed to Omignano Scalo that is down on the railway line in the deep valley). Look out for an old green door just to the left of the arch as you leave Omignano. Inside, mainly in the afternoons, you will meet Giuseppe (aka Peppo) who sells baskets and fresh fruit and products from his land outside the town, also described at Il Cestaio di Omignano.
Giuseppe (aka Peppo) in his wee shop in Omignano paese
After Omignano there is another exhilarating downhill run before taking the right fork up towards San Giovanni. This climb is fine except for a small initial bit that does feel quite steep, but it’s all worth it in the end. Past San Giovanni follow one of the most beautiful roads in the Cilento to Galdo and turn left back onto the road through Celso and on to Pollica. You should recognise this as you will have done it at the start.
Map and technical details
Use this link to find out technical details about this ride including a map (uses the Strava app):