Despite the length of the Lao even if it is small, it is very important for the Tyrrhenian coast of Calabria thanks to its ever-flowing course.
In ancient times, this river also marked a natural boundary: that between the Lucani and the Bruzi. It originates in Basilicata itself, in the Pollino, taking the name at one time Mercury, which derives from the Greek colony of Laos, a polis of Magna Graecia.
His course, which stands at over 50 km, It begins at Serra del Prete: a hill in the park’s mountain range, situated at an altitude of over 2,000 metres and forming part of Viggianello, in the province of Potenza.
He changed his name to Lao in Calabria, where he receives the Battendiero and Jannello. It is here, thanks to the abundant and perennial water supplies, that it enters a gorge, flowing through a deeply incised channel for several kilometres.
The Papasidero (Cosenza) flows through it for 15 km and then joins the Argentino near Orsomaro. It then widens within its own riverbed, branching out into a delta and It reaches the Tyrrhenian Sea, specifically at Scalea.
The stream has a an extremely permeable catchment, which also sets it apart for its the generous portions of its dishes. This, together with the clarity of its waters and the length of the stretch that runs through the gorge, makes it a popular destination amongst rafters and canoeists.
The valley of the same name, in the Papasidero area, takes its name from the river.
