Cammino degli Aurunci
It is a trail of 4 stages, to complete in 4 days, starting from Minturno (Latina) and arriving in Itri (Latina), in the heart of a little-known area in southern Lazio, the Aurunci Mountains. The particular feature of these mountains is the extreme closeness to the sea, such to determine a significant record: mount Petrella, the highest peak of the Aurunci Mountains, with its 1540 m above sea level, near the Gulf of Gaeta, is the tallest mountain closest to the sea in Europe, in fact, the linear distance is just 6 km. The Cammino consists of a mountain bike trail of 150 km. With intermediate stages in Spigno Saturnia, Maranola and Itri. The characteristic Medieval town of Minturno is the starting point of the trail and the final destination is the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Civita in Itri, pilgrim destination. The Aurunci Mountains are the route, crossing the trails of the Monti Aurunci Natural Park. The view of the gulf ranges from the Vesuvius to Ischia to the Pontine Islands and to the Circeo cliff.
Technical sheets
Length: 151 km
Stages: 4
Elevation gain: 5452 m
Travel time: 3/4 days
General technical difficulty: BC (see table)
Physical effort: High (the average elevation gain is 1350 m)
Dirt path with some technical sections, with some sections to walk on foot with push bike.
History
The Aurunci mountain area is, already in 1700, a borderland suspended between the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and the Papal State. This condition has deeply influenced the development and identity of those who lived in these mountain areas and, at the same time, near the sea. The landscape of the Aurunci mountains underwent a slow and gradual transformation due to the human activities that produced works changing the territory such as the terraces and dry stone walls, so-called “macere”, made for the cultivation of olive groves. The thousand-year human presence on the Aurunci is evidenced even better by the ancient monasteries and small shelters, by the remains of forgotten cities and by the eco of past legends which characterise the area of the park. The Monti Aurunci area is not just nature, but also history, culture and traditions which make up the peculiar features of the places maintaining their charm intact.
Sources of water along the trail
There are many water sources, especially in the towns crossed and in the mountain near the springs found along the way.
Stage 1: from Minturno to Spigno Saturnia Superiore
Length: 32 km
Height difference: 950 m
Technical difficulty: MC (Cycle excursionists with average technical skills)
Description:
The town of Minturno, the departure location for the cammino, is a characteristic Medieval town. It is the first stage of the course. It comes from the ancient name of Traetto when the Saracens invaded the ancient Roman city of Minturnae situated at the mouth of the Garigliano. The town, although modified by more modern buildings, boasts various places of interest. Arriving in the square before entering the town you see: the Church of the Annunziata identified by three pointed arches preceding it, inside Gothic-Renaissance frescos and a Madonna with child by Francesco Curia are kept; the town hall housed in a former Franciscan convent and the Castle where the city gate once was.
The route continues through low-traffic areas to arrive to Monte di Gianola Park where it is possible to admire the domus marittima of the Mamurra Villa, the ancient reservoirs, the Janare Grotto, the Roman marina, the area of the thermarium. Continue for the hamlet of Castellonorato to then reach Spigno Saturnia Superiore, end of the first stage.
Roadbook:
The route begins from the main square of the town of Minturno, right under the Castle. Before leaving the town in the direction of Tremensuoli, travel along the small historical centre, taking the small road next to the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi. The Church of Saint Peter the Apostle deserves a visit with a short stop. Continue towards Gianola Park. The road becomes a dirt road, take the single track behind the Park guards’ wood hut leading to the archaeological area where you can see the Mamurra Villa and the Janare Grotto. Returning back on a parallel dirt road, having arrived at the Cisterna Grande (on the right) take the downward path on the right leading to a picturesque single track along the sea. Take it on the left and travel it with some distance to push due to the large stones, to arrive to the very characteristic Roman marina, which actually never was a port but rather a fish pond. Continue down to the beach and take a trail on the left, which after a few turns will take you back on the main road. Back to the wood hut, go left toward the La Villetta Restaurant where the road becomes more narrow and descending, it reaches the paved road on the right which you take on the left.
Once having passed the Gianola Camping, take the first right immediately after the footbridge, to reach the Appia which you take on the right. After the Todis, turn left and continuing under the railway bridge, turn right. Once having passed the Lidl supermarket parking, continue left to Penitro. Go under a bridge once again and continue north on a narrow street to reach Penitro. Continue toward Castellonorato and at Via Monsignor Gargiulo, turn right on a steep concrete road. Continue toward Castellonorato and at Via Monsignor Gargiulo, turn right on a steep concrete road. The road becomes a cobbled road, this is an ancient road, probably what remains of an ancient snow road, that was used by shepherds to bring ice or coal to the coast for commerce.
After approximately 1 km, the dirt road reaches the paved road leading to Castellonorato where you take the only small street in the hamlet, under the castle and shortly after turning left to cross the characteristic ancient gate.
Continue right to exit Castellonorato not before going to see the Porta Aurea gate, right after the Castellonorato Cemetery. Go back for a about a dozen metres and take Via Pella, which then becomes Via Marangon and after a steep descent it reaches the Capodacqua spring, the most important spring in Spigno Saturnia, where there are large natural reservoirs of water, thanks to the mountain’s karstification, able to satisfy the needs of most of the cities of the southern Pontino area.
After having crossed the bridge on the Capodacqua torrent, continue straight on a dirt road that after 1 km leads to an intersection with Via Aracoleli. Turn left uphill and continue to Spigno Vecchio, the end of the first stage.
Points of interest:
• Hamlet of Minturno – https://www.camminodegliaurunci.org/il-borgo-di-minturno/
• Giano Temple – https://www.camminodegliaurunci.org/edificio-ottagonale-tempio-di-giano/
• Cisterna 36 columns – https://www.camminodegliaurunci.org/cisterna-36-colonne/
• Janara Grotto – https://www.camminodegliaurunci.org/grotta-della-janara/
• Gianola Roman marina – https://www.camminodegliaurunci.org/porticciolo-romano-di-gianola/
• Aurea Gate – https://www.camminodegliaurunci.org/porta-aurea/
Stage 2: from Spigno Saturnia Superiore to Maranola
Length: 45 km
Height difference: 1800 m
Technical difficulty: BC (Cycle excursionists with good technical skills)
Description:
The hamlet of Spigno Saturnia Superiore or Spigno Vecchio is situated at the foot of the Aurunci Mountains, right under the highest peak. It has a typically Medieval urban structure, that develops around the castle whose ruins, or ancient square tower and several towers of the city walls, can be admired. The shepherds created the first residential settlements, facilitated also by the abundant water, in fact, there are many springs used already in Roman times. Leaving the hamlet, the route continues on a road halfway toward the characteristic Selvacava pine forest to then reach the hamlet of Esperia. An uphill mountain road reaches a beautiful valley to then climb up to the Redentore peak, with breathtaking views over the entire gulf of Gaeta where, on a clear day, you can admire the Vesuvius, the island of Ischia, Ventotene, Ponza to the cliff of the Circeo. The extreme vicinity to the sea of these wonderful mountains offers an incredible view, almost as if you were on an enormous balcony on the sea.
On the top of Monte Redentore, you will find the statue of the Redeemer, one of twenty statues erected on the occasion of the Jubilee of 1900 on Italian peaks to celebrate the beginning of the new century. A long, very panoramic descent, first a dirt road then paved, allows you to reach the hamlet of Maranola.
Roadbook:
From the small square in Spigno Vecchio, take the ancient trail on the right of the Castle along a single track downhill, be careful on the rough sections, that connects with Via Pedemontana which you take on the left. This is a low-traffic, paved road, halfway, after having crossed a gorge where you can see an old mill, continue north towards Selvacava. Here you can travel the trails in the pine forest of Selvacava which cut through the main paved road. Continue towards Esperia, admiring the grandeur of Mount Fammera, with its crags. A concrete road on the left leads to a dirt road that, parallel to the main road, leads to Esperia.
Continue towards Orme del Dinosauro to Valle Polleca and to Forcella di Fraile. At the end of the uphill road, part of which is a push climb, you reach a dirt road where you continue left. The road, uphill, leads to the Valliera district where you take the trail to the Redeemer on the right. You reach the top with the statue from which you can admire the incredible view. Continue downhill on the single track (watch out for the rough sections without protection) that leads first to the Sanctuary of Saint Michael the Archangel and then, after a few kilometres, to the Rifugio di Pornito. From here the paved road, always downhill, takes us to Maranola.
Points of Interest:
• Footprints of Dinosaurs – https://www.camminodegliaurunci.org/le-orme-dei-dinosauri/
• Redeemer – https://www.camminodegliaurunci.org/la-cima-del-redentore/
• Church of San Michele – https://www.camminodegliaurunci.org/santuario-di-san-michele-arcangelo/
Stage 3: from Maranola to Itri
Length: 45 km
Height difference: 1800 m
Technical difficulty: BC (Cycle excursionists with good technical skills)
Description:
The hamlet of Spigno Saturnia Superiore or Spigno Vecchio is situated at the foot of the Aurunci Mountains, right under the highest peak. It has a typically Medieval urban structure, that develops around the castle whose ruins, or ancient square tower and several towers of the city walls, can be admired. The shepherds created the first residential settlements, facilitated also by the abundant water, in fact, there are many springs used already in Roman times. Leaving the hamlet, the route continues on a road halfway toward the characteristic Selvacava pine forest to then reach the hamlet of Esperia. An uphill mountain road reaches a beautiful valley to then climb up to the Redentore peak, with breathtaking views over the entire gulf of Gaeta where, on a clear day, you can admire the Vesuvius, the island of Ischia, Ventotene, Ponza to the cliff of the Circeo. The extreme vicinity to the sea of these wonderful mountains offers an incredible view, almost as if you were on an enormous balcony on the sea.
On the top of Monte Redentore, you will find the statue of the Redeemer, one of twenty statues erected on the occasion of the Jubilee of 1900 on Italian peaks to celebrate the beginning of the new century. A long, very panoramic descent, first a dirt road then paved, allows you to reach the hamlet of Maranola.
Roadbook:
From the small square in Spigno Vecchio, take the ancient trail on the right of the Castle along a single track downhill, be careful on the rough sections, that connects with Via Pedemontana which you take on the left. This is a low-traffic, paved road, halfway, after having crossed a gorge where you can see an old mill, continue north towards Selvacava. Here you can travel the trails in the pine forest of Selvacava which cut through the main paved road. Continue towards Esperia, admiring the grandeur of Mount Fammera, with its crags. A concrete road on the left leads to a dirt road that, parallel to the main road, leads to Esperia.
Continue towards Orme del Dinosauro to Valle Polleca and to Forcella di Fraile. At the end of the uphill road, part of which is a push climb, you reach a dirt road where you continue left. The road, uphill, leads to the Valliera district where you take the trail to the Redeemer on the right. You reach the top with the statue from which you can admire the incredible view. Continue downhill on the single track (watch out for the rough sections without protection) that leads first to the Sanctuary of Saint Michael the Archangel and then, after a few kilometres, to the Rifugio di Pornito. From here the paved road, always downhill, takes us to Maranola.
Points of Interest:
• Footprints of Dinosaurs – https://www.camminodegliaurunci.org/le-orme-dei-dinosauri/
• Redeemer – https://www.camminodegliaurunci.org/la-cima-del-redentore/
• Church of San Michele – https://www.camminodegliaurunci.org/santuario-di-san-michele-arcangelo/
Stage 4: from Itri to the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Civita
Length: 45 km
Height difference: 1756 m
Technical difficulty: BC (Cycle excursionists with good technical skills)
Description:
From the town of Itri, which deserves a visit to the old part with its castle, you first reach the characteristic town of Sperlonga on the sea. From here, climb towards the mountains to reach a very picturesque section of the Appia Antica going down towards Fondi. The road becomes a dirt road along the forest of Sant’Arcangelo that reaches the Botanical Garden to continue towards the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Civita, last stage of the Cammino.
Roadbook:
From Itri’s main square, travel Corso Appio Claudio to the second side street on the left and turn there to continue to the right along Via Appia. Pass the Museo del Brigantaggio (on the right) to then take Ciovareccia road on the left, that after an uphill section continues on the left on Via Francigena, along an ancient uphill trail. After approximately a hundred metres at Km 2.92, at the intersection keep left. At Km 3.49, continue to the right, toward Casale di Valle Fredda. At Km 4.69, descend to the left (see photo). At Km 5.24, continue straight along the single track. Shortly after, you will meet a fenced area with a mesh gate, open it to continue and be sure to close it. IMPORTANT: At Km 5.77, turn right through a ditch and continue along the path visible along the field and then in the cork forest all the way to reach a gate that leads to Monti Cecubi farm where you can take a break and taste a good wine. Here you will find a “Beware of the Dog” sign and continue on foot turning left to exit the Monti Cecubi farm property (the dog is good but it does not like cyclists). After a few hundred metres, at Km 7.36 turn right and at Km 7.50 turn right again following the sign, Contrada Vagnoli. The dirt road crosses after approximately 1 km the main paved road, continue right to Km 9.07, where you will turn left along the Magliana road. Cross the beautiful cork forest up to Km 10.77, where you will turn right to get back on the main Itri-Sperlonga road. Continue left toward Sperlonga along a long descent with breathtaking view of the Pontine islands and the Circeo. Once at Sperlonga, look over the belvedere to admire the view and after passing through the characteristic square where it is possible to refill water bottles, go back to go uphill at Km 17.51 leaving Sperlonga behind you, along Via Fontana della Camera. The paved road soon becomes a dirt road with various rough sections and continue up for approximately 3 km where, after a very steep mandatory path you cross the pipeline route where you continue to the right. After a few metres, stay on the left at the intersection and continue to Km 24 where, at the intersection, you will keep left. After a few metres, turn right on the dirt road (see photo). At Km 24.66, keep left and continue along a single track up to Km 24.83, where you keep right and continue, crossing an electric, low-voltage fence (you can go through but be careful) to Km 25.04 at the end of the descent on unpaved single track, turn left onto the meadow area. You reach the same point from before, where you turn left to take a brief section (approximately 300 m) and arriving at the paved road, turn left toward Casale di Valle Fredda. Shortly after, there is a fork and continue right. The path continues straight to the Itri Cemetery where you meet the Statale Appia road and turn left. After a few metres, take Via Appia Antica on the right. Right before the sign for Via Francigena, at Km 34.58, turn left on a single track that descends towards Via Appia Nuova to then take Via Appia Antica again to the left (CAI trail no. 925) for approximately 1 km. Back on the Via Appia Nuova, after a few metres turn right toward Sant’Arcangelo Forest (CAI trail no. 923). At Km 27.57 continue left along the main trail. You will reach a spring with a picnic area and there turn left following the CAI signs. The road soon becomes a dirt road and continue up some rough sections. At Km 31.85, continue along a farm where it is possible to often meet a Maremma sheepdog usually harmless (if animals are grazing, avoid getting too close). Shortly after, at Km 42, at the junction keep right and continue to reach the Botanical Garden. Continue, going back for a few metres to go up a single track toward Ruderi di San Vennitto – Monte Vele (trail no. 919). Cross a beautiful pine forest with the view of the Fondi plain and the Circeo on the right. At the end of a steep climb, continue right toward the ruins left behind on the right continuing on a rather visible trail. Reach a plateau at Km 45.14 where to continue straight for a few metres and then turn left. After the ditch, before a large rock, turn left, continue for approximately 10 metres, then right, behind a large hedge, continue for approximately 30 metres to then turn left again climbing to reach a trail on the right. Go through the plateau down to a single track where you need to be careful of the rugged road. Reach a dirt road and climb left to reach a paved road that to the right leads to the Madonna della Civita Sanctuary.
Points of Interest:
• Appia Antica – https://www.camminodegliaurunci.org/lantica-via-appia/
• Archaeological Museum of Sperlonga and Villa di Tiberio – https://www.sperlonga.it/museo.htm
• Sanctuary of the Madonna della Civita – https://www.camminodegliaurunci.org/santuario-madonna-dellacivita/
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
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