This is a fantastic summer walk for the slightly more adventurous! The paths used are good for the most part, with a little steep climbing, but the return leg follows the course of the Fiume Fiastrone, wading through the river for two kilometres. In summer, the water is usually shallow, with occasional spots which are knee high, or just above. Water depth will of course depend upon recent rainfall, and the time of year. You will also need to clamber over flotsam which has gathered at narrow points in the gorge. It is therefore recommended that you plan to do this walk the day before a rest day or two, so that your walking boots have a chance to dry out. Alternatively, you could carry a sturdy pair of walking sandals to change into. Do not attempt the wading with unprotected feet.

Total Time: 5.5 hours
Total Ascent: 555 metres
Total Distance:  9 km

The gorge of the Fiastrone river (Gola del Fiastrone) is arguably one of the most beautiful gorges in Italy. In places, its rock walls tower over 50 metres above the river, which runs in the bottom of a steep wooded valley. The channel the river passes through, and through which you walk, is sometimes only a few metres wide, and at one point the rock walls actually meet above.

Other points of interest on this route include the Lame Rosse (‘red blades’), and the Grotta dei Frati. The Lame Rosse is a spectacular formation of eroded pink rock, which has been carved into blade like buttresses on one side of a large ravine. The Grotta dei Frati is a small 14^th century chapel built in a remote cave. On certain religious festival days, there are still services held at the chapel.

The Gola del Fiastrone is understandably a very popular spot on hot summer days, and the more easily reached parts of the gorge can get very busy.

The Fiume Fiastrone was dammed in the 1950’s, creating the Lago del Fiastrone, which lies upstream of the gorge. The water of the lake is used for electricity generation, but it is not dropped into the Fiume Fiastrone, but piped elsewhere to the hydroelectric station. You will however see signs warning of the possibility of sudden flooding, and falling rocks are a danger, particularly in spring.

The path follows the river through the
rock gorge.

Questions or comments? Get in touch with us at:

tony@sibillini-walks.com