8. Camerata Nuova – Cineto Romano

On the watershed between two regions

This stage covers a large part of the ridge, walking along the border between Lazio and Abruzzo. On one side is the Aniene River Valley, one of the most important tributaries of the Tiber, and on the other is the extensive intramountain basin of the Piana del Cavaliere, with Carsoli as its most important town. There are many interesting peaks to be seen nearby, such as the Navegna and Cervia mountains and the Fontecellese and Vallevona mountains. The splendid pyramid of Mount Velino, one of the highest peaks in the Apennine range, closes the eastern horizon.

Trail description

This is a long trail that can be divided into three sections. The first section, which leads from Camerata Nuova to Rocca di Botte, winds along a series of dirt roads that cross mainly oak forests at the base of the eastern slopes of the Simbruini mountain range in Lazio. The first section passes alongside the cemetery of Camerata and then a drinking trough. As you approach Rocca di Botte, you will also come across a riding school. Once you have passed the village, climb towards the ridge, reaching it near Monte San Fabrizio. You will arrive at Oricola, often skirting the ridge, sometimes to the west and sometimes to the east. Beyond Oricola, to reach the Tiburtina (SR5), you will tackle the mountain overlooking Arsoli, which is home to two quarries. You will cross the three roads and tackle the last climb to Riofreddo. Beyond the village, the restoration of an ancient driveway will allow you to reach Cineto Romano with a slow and not too long descent.

The Passage between two Protected Areas, transition between two natural environments

We leave the Simbruini Mountains Park and enter the Lucretili Mountains Park. These are two large protected natural areas where it is easy to see how they protect two rather different natural habitats. We leave a mountain ecosystem, where the altitudes are higher and characterized by extensive beech forests, and enter an area where the vegetation is more typical of warmer, Mediterranean climates. The altitudes are significantly lower, and the forests are mainly composed of oak and hornbeam trees. We are passing from the Apennine mountain range to the pre-Apennine range.