Distance: 12 kilometres
Height difference: + 500 metres
Departure point: Rocca Minore.
Suitable for families: no
Activities to do: bird watching; a tour of Eremo delle Carceri.
We recommend the first part of this evocative itinerary to all those who wish to go to the Eremo delle Carceri on foot, without using the asphalt road, which is too sunny and dangerously busy with too much traffic during the summer months.
The itinerary as far as Croce di Sassopiano suggested here is already rather demanding due to the height difference but worth the panoramic views. However, the more demanding and better trained hikers can easily complete it with the ascent to the summit.
This itinerary starts from Rocchicciola di Assisi, or Rocca Minore, a building worthy of attention: its construction is believed to date back to between 1353 and 1357, commissioned by Cardinal Albornoz, although a document in the vernacular of Perugia dates it back to the year 1200.
From the tower, with its beautifully shady picnic area, take path no 350, which rises up a wide track for about 2 kilometres to Fonte San Rufino. A little further on, it joins an asphalt road and after a short stretch, you come to the Eremo delle Carceri.
One of the most precious, spiritual destinations in the Park, the Hermitage was originally created as a chapel surrounded by caves, chosen as places of meditation for the hermits, which then acquired the name “Carceri” with St. Francis, as synonymous with a retreat in solitude.
The primitive structure was extended in 1400 by San Bernardino da Siena, who had a small convent built, together with the little church of Santa Maria delle Carceri.
The Hermitage is surrounded by a thick holm oak grove, where the legendary, very old holm oak stands, known as the “Tree of the birds”, on which it is said the birds would often perch to sing for the Saint and to receive his blessing.
Pick up the walk once more and follow the main road towards San Benedetto and once you reach path no. 354 in Località Rimboschimento, follow the path on the left up to Croce di Sassopiano, from where you can enjoy the panoramic view over the valley and the town of Assisi.
Follow path no. 350 to cross part of the meadow on the summit of Subasio as far as the Vallonica refuge and from here take the same path downhill to return to the Eremo delle Carceri and on to your strating point.
