SI O07

A stage of significant length and notable elevation change that brings you back up from the valley floor. Starting from the Pellegrino hostel in Vallepietra, you descend towards the locality of S. Maria and then Ponte del Tartaro, following a rather steep road that, due to its exposure to the north, is quite slippery. Upon reaching the valley floor, various signs guide you (the characteristic SI symbol typically found on vertical signs is not present); the well-defined path begins to ascend the steep side of the mountain. This long and steep section is dotted with numerous testimonies related to the Christian faith, such as shrines, crosses, and altars. After a strenuous hike, you reach the small chapel at an altitude of 925 m located at the foot of the "Facciatone di Cornetto". The well-marked path leads you to the Cona dello Spirito Santo at 1076 m, with a view of the broad rocky wall of the Colle della Tagliata. Colle della Tagliata stands steeply at 1662 m east of Monte Autore, featuring the Rupe della Tagliata, a nearly vertical limestone wall approximately 400 m high, which has a ledge about 15 m wide in its middle where a cavity has been enlarged, housing the Sanctuary of the SS Trinità of Vallepietra, a site of worship frequented by the faithful. It's worth noting that this towering rock face is also home to numerous extreme climbing routes, almost exclusively developed by climbing teams led by the renowned Roman climber Pier Luigi Bini. Continuing on terrain partly protected by vegetation, you reach the Sanctuary of the Santissima Trinità, which deserves a visit. The hermitage, which was granted the title of abbey in the 17th century, is situated at 1340 m and is the oldest testimony of the early expansion of Benedictine monasticism in the Simbruini Mountains. Among the many paintings present, the most intact is the main one attributed to the Trinity: it depicts three seated figures above a sort of throne, blessing with their right hands while holding the book of the Gospels open with their left. The appearance of the three divine persons is identical; their posture and expression are the same. This unique image, due to its antiquity, has been regarded by the Church as an exception to the ritual rules that do not allow such artistic expression of the SS Trinità, and it is the only known example in Italy. Crossing the wide terrace facing west, you travel along the ledge to its left end and begin to descend a path that, with a steep but short drop, crosses a small gravel area and climbs with numerous turns up the steep wooded slope to the west of the Tagliata, a route locally referred to as "Gli Scarapelli". Upon reaching the Passo del Procoio at 1589 m, which opens onto the ridge extending from Monte Autore to the Colle della Tagliata, you'll enjoy a beautiful view of the Valle del Simbrivio. Turning now to the right northeast, a good path ascends along the ridge to the characteristic and perennial Fonte della Fossagliola or degli Scifi at 1687 m, featuring characteristic hollowed-out tree trunks arranged in succession. Here, the path bends left to the west, maintaining this direction until the forest edge. At this point, you may choose to include the climb to the summit of Monte Autore, accessible by following path 683A up an easy ridge. From the peak, heading south, at first through barren and arid terrain and then through sparse woods, you descend to the Colle delle Vedute at 1747 m, where a large metal cross stands out, offering a magnificent view of Vallepietra, the Valle del Simbrivio, and the mountain groups of the Monti Tarino, Cotento, and Viglio. Now follow the dirt road descending towards Monte Livata, leaving it shortly after at the appropriate signs, which lead through a beautiful beech forest to Compendium at 1675 m on the northern slope of Monna dell'Orso. Without continuing to descend towards the facilities, slightly veering right in the direction of the Astronomical Observatory, resume the dirt road that soon reaches the Campo dell'Osso plateau. In this section of the route, take care to notice the interesting works implemented to channel rainwater and preserve its conservation via special collection basins. Having reached the wide square of Campo dell'Osso, follow the signs to the Fonte Acquaviva and from there to the tourist station of Monte Livata located in the municipality of Subiaco.