We arrive and leave our means of transport on the square in the location “Fonte Cerreto” and along a nearby dirt road, 1021 m. o.s.l.. This place is also the base of the cable car for “Campo Imperatore” and will be our start point.

 First Steps 

             We begin moving uphill, through the first part of a trail towards Mount “Pizzo Cefalone”. This part appears quite easy to climb. We also see there’s a dirt road that goes in our direction but leads to a refuge named Mandolò. We choose the foot trail which seems to be shorter.

Along our way we see numerous Larch, Beech, Juniper and Pine trees.

After a few minutes uphill we find a first sign (only two signs on the entire trail) indicating the way to the shelter "Mandolò" on our right. We follow it for some hundred meters until the trail splits. One way goes east to the refuge, and the other goes west to “Pizzo Cefalone”. We follow this last one for about two hundred meters. After that, at 550 m. from the start, the trail turns towards Mount “Portella”.

We’re thinking about following the trail into and out of the woods up to the altitude of 1265 m. o.s.l., keeping in mind that at a certain point, we must leave it and begin moving towards some rocky boulders we see on our right, along the ridge, and at the edge of the bush woods.

Unfortunately, after about a one hour walk, around the first kilometer from the start point, we find the trail ubstructed by too much vegetation therefore, with no other choice, we begin leaving the path in advance of our forecasts and follow it only along the outer perimeter of the woods when it appears.

A stony gully exists on this ridge. We cross it and climb up along its edge at the alttude of 1270 m. o.s.l..

Unknowing the exact location of the cave our only purpose of this excursion is to trace a new route for reaching it, without too much difficulty, and in order to give to those that will want to visit it in the future the exact location.

At this point of the trip, also based  on the information given to us by the local inhabitants, we continue upwards heading to where we think the cave can probably be found, and that is, towards a cluster of rocks we see over head on our right and in the middle of the vegetation.

While moving, about four hundred meters away, on the slopes below us we spot a deer on our right. It’s always a pleasure to stop and admir such a splendid animal.

                 At this point of the path our goal becomes clear. Namely on the top of the spotted rocks. In fact we think that the cave can be right around these boulders.

Apparently the direction we have taken seems to provide us an easy path, but instead things get a little harder. The grass is very high, at the limits of practicability, and there is no kind of trace to follow. Alternatively, there would be the possibility of continuing the ascent of the gully, but it presents unstable rocks too rough to climb. Having now abandoned the path, only based on our experience in making walkways, we continue towards the goal thus creating a new one.

Despite of our fatigue, and anxiety to reach the cave, it’s an obligation to stop, look back and around to admire the view.

To make the crossing of the ridge easier for us we decided to climb up the mountain to about 1460 meters, over passing the rocks, object of our research, then cutting the ridge downward and transversely, reaching them from above rather than from below or by a side. We planned to descend on a larger spike visible to us, and start searching there for the hermit’s cave.

THE CAVE'S LOCATION

                   At first sight we had no sign of the cave, but after a few minutes, we found, hidden by high vegetation, the sign of the “HEREMO DI PESCHIOLI”.

We look around, observe the rocks and over our heads we see the refuge of S. Frank at the altitude of 1435 m.o.s.l..

The temptation to try climbing up and into the cave is strong, but the purpose of our excursion was just to find and have a path to reach it. Without adequate mountain equipment, even if it seems quite easy to climb, it wouldn’t be wise to attempt climbing the vertical rock and reach the hermitage.

Maybe next time on The Secrets of Abruzzo you’ll find the article about our climb into the cave.

BACK TO THE START

                   So we leave the cave and start our way back. We take the decision to go down the mountain by passing on the other side of the ridge creating a second path for the cave, thus obtaining an alternative to the first. It’s not difficult but, but again attention is needed. We keep searching for possible existing previous paths, but we notice only some traces of old foot trails, now covered with dense vegetation, and that keep us from walking easily.

We continue downward and diagonally for about 500 meters, until we reach the electric line. We follow it along its pylons. At this point the difficult part ends and everything becomes easy. Just a walk in the green.

Down for another 500 meters always along the electric path until we cross into a path that will lead us back to the base of the cable car.

Concluding I can say that both paths, round trip, could certainly be done with less difficulty if faced in spring or late autumn, when there isn’t too much vegetation. For those who, like me, are lovers of green, they’ll have to work hard to earn the discovery of the HERMITAGE OF “PESCHIOLI”.

But who was this hermit “Franco del Gran Sasso” that had been on our mountains, in complete solitude, renouncing the world, searching for the perfect inner peace, and outer peace, searching for God? Coming soon on THE SECRETS OF ABRUZZO. DON’T MISS IT.

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        THE SECRETS OF ABRUZZO

UNDERNEATH ENJOY A SHORT PHOTO PRESENTATION THAT GIVES AN IDEA ON THE PATH AND THE NATURAL BEAUTIES OF ITS SURROUNDINGS.

Giuseppe Libero