Cammino dei Cappuccini Stage 15: Montefalcone Appennino to Rotella

The route of Cammino dei Cappuccini Stage 15

From Montefalcone Appennino the trail descends along the medieval path, over old cobbled stretches and through woodland. It reaches the valley floor at the bridge over the Aso river. Here a long climb toward Force begins, on asphalt and gravel roads. The gradients are steady and call for a regular pace.

Force comes after about 9 km. It has a fine historic center and views that open out to the sea. It is a good place to stop and refill with water. Walkers who prefer to split the stage over two days can stop here.

Past the halfway point, the route becomes easier. It follows wide, almost flat tracks through well-kept countryside. The last section, on a gravel road, descends gradually to Rotella.

Cammino dei Cappuccini Stage 15: technical data

• Start and finish: Montefalcone Appennino and Rotella. The route is not a loop.
• Length: about 21.5 km.
• Elevation change: about 450 m of ascent and about 830 m of descent. Overall the route is mostly downhill.
• Elevation: between about 346 m (lowest point) and 764 m (highest point).
• Difficulty: medium.
• Surface: about 35% dirt and 65% asphalt.
• Water: the main water source is in Force, after about 9 km. Other drinking water points are also marked along the route.
• Waymarking: the trail is marked with the code CdC.

The best time of year runs from May to September. Checking the weather before setting off is advisable, because much of the route is exposed.

Map of Cammino dei Cappuccini Stage 15

The map shows the one-way route from Montefalcone Appennino to Rotella, with Force halfway. The water points and the places described below appear along the route.

The previous stage is Cammino dei Cappuccini stage 14, from Montefortino to Montefalcone Appennino. The next one is Cammino dei Cappuccini stage 16, which sets off from Rotella.

Points of interest on Cammino dei Cappuccini Stage 15

1.4 km from the start, on the road to Smerillo, is the former Franciscan friary of San Giovanni in Selva (today Domus Appennino), with the church of San Giovanni Battista. It recalls the escape of Fra Matteo da Bascio, an important episode in the history of the Capuchins.

Along the route are several religious buildings: the Chiesa di San Vincenzo Ferrer, the Chiesa della Madonna della Neve, the Chiesa di San Francesco, the Chiesa di San Paolo and the Chiesa di San Lorenzo. There are also other smaller churches.

Places worth a closer look include:

• the village of Force, with its historic center;
• the Largo Teodori belvedere, a viewpoint;
• Palazzo Canestrari, marked as a castle;
• the Fonte Vecchia, a fountain;
• the hamlet of Osteria;
• Rotella, the finishing village.

In Rotella beds are limited. Reserving in advance is advisable. Walkers who want to lighten the next stage can climb another 3 km to Capradosso and spend the night there.