Naturalistic itinerary – Cave - S. Anatolia-Natural monument Cannucceta Valley

 

The run is 10 kms long, with a 300 ms difference in level

This excursion fits also children 6/7 years old

 

Cannucceta Valley gives doubtlessly one of the most fascinating naturalistic glimpses of  Monti Prenestini area, in fact it was declared a Natural Monument by Italy’s Lazio Region in 1995 for its historical and environmental value. This place is situated on a rocky sedimentary area of marine origin, where a forest with downey and turkey oaks, lime trees and maples spreads out. Here the humidity permits the growth of a variety of ferns and beeches. The fauna is mostly made up of woodpeckers and night birds such as owls and barn owls, but also squirrels and rare “spectacled salamanders”. While hiking up the valley, you can admire small waterfalls and an ancient Roman bridge or  aqueduct, used to supply water to the city of Palestrina.

The excursion starts in the historical town centre of Cave, first passing through  the Mastricola Arch (the main entrance to the ancient village), then proceeding along the old streets up to Santa 'Natuja church. The real hiking itinerary starts here, on a cartway that passes along the Rio river and goes up to the luxuriant Cave valley. Then it continues passing under two bridges, an old and a new one. During the itinerary the landscape becomes even wilder and visitors can see dense forests composed of hornbeams, oaks, cornel trees as well as other types of trees and flowers . This pathway crosses the dry riverbed of the Rio,  from here on surrounded by high rocky walls and therefore seeming like a gorge. After hiking through these forests and glades, you will arrive at a marvellous and suggestive waterfall. You will then pass through vast glades surrounded by centenarian oaks and arrive in a forest known as the Natural Monument of Cannucceta. Here the landscape is delightful: you will meet the arches of an old roman aqueduct as well as the serpentine course of the Rio river flowing through a dense forest. After climbing the last small hill, you will reach the destination: the imposing five-century oak of Pierluigi da Palestrina. On your way back you will mostly follow the same itinerary, with the exception of passing by the 'Acqua del Cane' spring.