Norcia - The cave of Monte Patino
Lenght: Km 5 (Ruond Trips)
Difficulty: Medium
Duration: From 2 to 4 hours
Interesting: nature
Park your car near the pass marked with the trail sign to reach replica watches the starting point of the walk next to a fountain. You have to leave the tarmac road and take the dirt road, continuing to keep to the right past a stone barbecue. At the crossroads continue to keep right and follow the path to the slopes of Mount Patino. At first the path climbs smoothly through an oak wood, followed by an ash and hornbeam wood, to lead to the cave known as Grotta di Patino at approximately 1,250 metres a.s.l. amid sparse, beech trees. The cave acted for a long time as a traditional shelter for shepherds in bad weather and has probably been inhabited by man since prehistoric times. From here you can look out over the Valley of Patino with the Norcia plain in the background, with Mount Coscerno (1,685 m) as a back drop, on the left is the north face of Mount Fusconi (1,796 m), on the right the cliffs of Mount Patino and behind you lies the head of the valley. You can see the cross erected on the summit of Mount Patino (1,883 m) at the request of Pope John Paul II to show his support for the people of Norcia after the earthquake of 1979. Retrace your steps down to the fountain and take care on the slippery surface.
How to get there
Take the SS 476 towards Preci. Continue for approx. 6.5 km and park your car immediately after a tourist signpost for Forca d’Ancarano
