A long stage but without significant climbs, very smooth. We leave the Pian Grande landscape to briefly cross over into Lazio, in the presence of the Monti della Laga.
The section up to Forca Canapine represents a variant of the Sentiero Italia (which runs along the western side of Pian Grande), preferred for the landscape interest of the Vettore group.
In the stretch between the Rifugio Colle le Cese and Forca Canapine, the track is scarcely marked. It is easy to get lost: better check the GPS track.
The water points are absent: bring a good supply.
We leave the Rifugio Mezzi Litri by retracing the paved road backwards to Forca di Presta, slightly uphill (approx. 200 m height difference). Once at the pass (1,536 m), we take the comfortable level road towards the Rifugio Belvedere; the stretch, easy and panoramic, flows pleasantly. After the mountain lodge, we continue on the road until it ends, giving way to a path marked by some wooden posts, equipped with trail markers.
Once we are back on the road, we follow it comfortably until we reach, with slight ups and downs, the old Rifugio Colle le Cese (made unusable by the earthquake), where we find an asphalted road. Shortly after, we leave it and take the road on the right, slightly going up into the woods. Where the road bends to the north, we have to find a track in the grass, difficult to locate (better use the GPS). Once in sight of an old ski lift, we turn south and, finding the road, we descend slightly to Forca Canapine (1,541 m), where we cross an asphalted road and continue, always on the road.
The landscape is very sweet and we continue for a long time with slight ups and downs; we pass on the right side of the ponds of the Pantani di Accumoli. Shortly after, from the Forca dei Copelli (1,626 m), we start the long descent (approximately 600 m drop) along the carriage road until we easily reach Accumoli.
Forca Canapine owes its name to the practice of hemp (canapa) cultivation, very widespread in Central Italy. A renowned ski resort in the area, today it is temporarily closed due to the seismic events of 2016.
The town of Accumoli, like the nearby Amatrice, was annexed to Lazio under the province of Rieti, during the fascist period. The area, which has always been disputed between the cities of Ascoli Piceno and Norcia, has historically belonged to the Kingdom of Naples, afterward to the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and, in recent times, to Abruzzo.
The town of Accumoli is divided in two by the Tronto valley (a river that springs near Amatrice) where it passes the Salaria, one of the oldest Roman roads, used for the salt trade. Probably already built by the Sabines, it was promoted to a consular road after the Roman conquest in the 3rd century BC.
Under Forca Canapine is Capodacqua, a hamlet of Arquata del Tronto, today devastated by the earthquake. Awaiting restoration, there is the beautiful Oratory of the Madonna del Sole (from 1528) with its octagonal shape and rich in beautiful frescoes attributed to the painter Cola d'Amatrice.
The Pantani di Accumoli are a series of small lakes located between Forca Canapine and Accumoli. Some numerous cows and horses graze untamed in the area. A wonderful setting where to enjoy a moment of relaxation.
The symbol of Accumoli is the Civic Tower, which still stands today despite the seismic devastation. Built in the 12th century, it showed the municipality’s civil and military power to those who passed along the Salaria.
The Secco Lake, near Poggio d'Api, is a reserve protected by the WWF for its unique characteristics; the favorable climate and the isolated environment have allowed the survival of animals and plants from the time of the Quaternary glaciations.
Tradition has it that pasta alla Gricia is an invention of the shepherds of Grisciano, who had to use foods that did not perish easily for their outdoor meals. Dry pasta, cheek lard, pecorino cheese, and a drop of white wine gave life to one of the most famous pasta of the Roman cuisine. The amatriciana arrived only later, with the addition of the tomato from the Kingdom of Naples.
The typical recipe of the Roman and Lazio tradition is actually...an Abruzzese dish!
In Accumoli many young people have returned to cultivate the land, an act of resistance against the depopulation.
Ubi Major is the company of the three Antonucci sisters, who produce saffron in the Roccasalli hamlet.
At the same time, Eugenio Rendina continues the family agricultural tradition, while introducing new elements such as the cultivation of hops and the San Pancrazio beer production, which can be found throughout the territory.
Agriturismo Alta Montagna Bio, 2 km before Accumoli along the Sentiero Italia. Tel. +39 347 513 3299
Va' Sentiero is a grassroot project, thanks to the spontaneous contribution oft housands of people.
Even the most complicated dream, a 7,000km uphill dream,
can be achieved... together.
Grazie!
