The itinerary measures 8.2 km and has an elevation gain of 332 meters; it is easily covered in 2h 35m. It starts from Montepetra Alta, after leaving the car in the large parking lot located near the well-known “Saxons of Montepetra“: large sedimentary rocks composed of sand, gravel, remains of animal and plant organisms. Geologists believe that their formation is very ancient, dating back several million years. There are large fossil shells in the “Saxons” that attract tourists and researchers. Montepetra is a place that offers splendid views, a frequent destination for cyclists in search of enchanting natural scenery. On the top of the promontory, the town retains traces of the walls of the ancient castle built in the 12th century; there are still wells and cisterns dug into the rock that were once used to store water and food. The Church of San Lorenzo, dating from the 15th century, preserves two altarpieces by Nicola Versari dated 1658 and a valuable baptismal font from 1495, a jewel of Renaissance sculpture.
The itinerary measures 8.2 km and has an elevation gain of 332 meters; it is easily covered in 2h 35m. It starts from Montepetra Alta, after leaving the car in the large parking lot located near the well-known “Saxons of Montepetra”: large sedimentary rocks composed of sand, gravel, remains of animal and plant organisms. Geologists believe that their formation is very ancient, dating back several million years. In the “Saxons” there are large fossil shells that attract tourists and researchers.
Montepetra is a place that offers splendid views, a frequent destination for cyclists in search of enchanting natural scenery. At the top of the promontory, the town retains traces of the walls of the ancient castle built in the 12th century; there are still wells and cisterns dug into the rock that were once used to store water and food. The Church of San Lorenzo, dating from the 15th century, preserves two altarpieces by Nicola Versari dated 1658 and a valuable baptismal font from 1495, a jewel of Renaissance sculpture.
The circuit is pleasant and does not have particularly challenging slopes. Leaving Montepetra Alta, take the path counterclockwise (trail 111h); you will catch a glimpse of the restored Montepetra washhouse, a “place of memory,” a meeting point of yesteryear.
Leaving the paved road, continue downhill with the path on a trail. Initially you skirt the right edge of the field and then enter the forest. Along the way it is possible to notice the emerging white rocks, all worked into “combs” by rain erosion; chalk! Arriving on the valley floor, we go up the Fosso Chiusa and then taking path 123 we arrive at the little church of Lucignano.
In the locality of Aia Bella, next to the house where Decio Raggi was born, stands a centuries-old hazel tree (Corylus Colurna or Constantinople Hazel) a good 25.30 m tall and with a circumference at the trunk of 3.62 m. According to current knowledge it appears to be, among the officially reviewed trees of this species, the tallest hazel tree in the world. The width of the crown and the circumference of the trunk testify that the tree is also extremely old, certainly one of the oldest in the world among all known specimens of Corylus Colurna. It is currently in good health.
The trail continues on Trail 123e and 123 with a return on the road where we cross karst areas and gullies that open to a unique and unusual panorama.
