Cammino dei Cappuccini Stage 17: Offida to Ascoli Piceno

The route of Cammino dei Cappuccini Stage 17

The stage begins in Offida, at the Santuario del Beato Bernardo, at 320 m. The route leaves the town on minor roads and dirt tracks and heads into open countryside, among vineyards and olive groves. The landscape changes when the calanchi appear, announcing the arrival in Appignano del Tronto. The village is reached after about 10 km and lies at 194 m. It is the best place for a food break and, for those who need it, can become an intermediate stop.

From Appignano the trail continues with a series of ups and downs and gradually gains height, up to the wide views from Cima Gallo. In the final section a long descent leads into the city. The route crosses some of the finest streets of Ascoli Piceno, reaches Piazza del Popolo and finally the Santuario di San Serafino da Montegranaro. Those who have walked the whole Cammino finish the itinerary here. At the sanctuary it is possible to close the journey with a thanksgiving liturgy together with the friars.

The previous stage runs from Rotella to Offida: Cammino dei Cappuccini stage 16. The complete itinerary is that of the Cammino dei Cappuccini.

Cammino dei Cappuccini Stage 17: technical data

• Start: Offida (Santuario del Beato Bernardo)
• Finish: Ascoli Piceno (Santuario di San Serafino da Montegranaro)
• Length: 26.3 km, one-way route
• Elevation change: about 734 m of ascent and 898 m of descent
• Highest point: 422 m. Lowest point: 121 m.

The stage is demanding: it is long and has many ups and downs, like much of the Cammino. Walkers who do not want to tackle it in a single day can stop in Appignano del Tronto. The Cammino is not recommended in winter, because several stages are mountainous and may be snow-covered. The milder months, between May and September, are therefore the best choice.

Map of Cammino dei Cappuccini Stage 17

To find the way along the stage it is best to rely on the official guide of the Cammino and the GPX tracks, especially where bad-weather variants are planned. The only reliable water source is in Appignano del Tronto, after about 10 km: there are no other water points after that, so stocking up is advisable.

Points of interest on Cammino dei Cappuccini Stage 17

The starting point is Offida, where the body of Blessed Bernardo da Offida is kept. Here also stands the Chiesa di Santa Maria della Rocca, built on a rocky spur and rich in cycles of Gothic frescoes. Shortly after the start the trail passes the area of Blessed Bernardo's birthplace.

In the countryside of Contrada San Lazzaro, by the road, there is a small "cona" (wayside shrine) built with some remains of the old church of San Casciano. Further on the route climbs to the hamlet of Il Colle, at 348 m, which offers a viewpoint facing Monte Ascensione.

In Appignano del Tronto are the parish church of San Giovanni Battista and the Chiesa di Santa Maria del Piano Santo, built in the early 17th century. The viewpoint over the Chifenti valley is also marked along the route.

In the last section, toward and through the center of Ascoli Piceno, the route offers a sequence of sights:

• the Baptistery of San Giovanni (baptistery)
• the two fountains of Piazza Arringo, the eastern and the western one
• the Fontana dei Cani
• the Church of San Gregorio Magno
• the Church of Santa Maria della Carità
• the Lazzaro Morelli roadside shrine
• the Chiesa di San Francesco
• the Church of Santa Maria Intervineas
• the Church of Sant'Onofrio

The churches of San Michele Arcangelo, Santi Pietro e Paolo and San Cristoforo are also marked along the route.