Fifteen minutes away from our palazzo Ricci is a wonderful hike into the canyons. Hiking in an Italian canyon is not only fun but very interesting.
The San Martino gorge is a beautiful canyon with ruins of an ancient monastery built in the 1200’s.
There are massive mountains, slot canyons and beautiful crystal clear springs that are aqua green in color.
How we Began Hiking into the Italian canyon
We went on our hike with our friends and partners, Bimbi and Spencer. The hike starts out really easy and you notice the huge granite like mountains surrounding you.
The hike is rocky but fairly easy to do.
Even though it is a short hike, there are some steep inclines but very doable.
The entire hike was only about 3 miles round trip. You can go even longer and higher up the canyon if you want an even bigger hike.
The Old monastery
At one point while hiking into the canyon you will see ruins of an old monastery. It was so amazing to see some of the walls and details of the stone carvings and architecture that are still intact.
Spencer told us that back in the day, the monks required an offering of bread or cheese to be able to pass through the canyon. Money was obviously of no use to them.
It is so amazing to me that they once inhabited this monastery in the middle of nowhere back in the 13th century.
Slot canyons on the hike
This particular area reminded me of Southern Utah where there are a lot of slot canyons like this. These were not typical southern utah red rock slot canyons but nonetheless they are still amazing.
We thought we understood that there was a waterfall up at the top of the canyon. Once we arrived we saw “Water Falling!” Definitely not a waterfall haha.
Natural springs at the bottom of the canyon
After we were done with the hike we visited these beautiful natural springs that come right out of the mountain.
The water was crystal clear and becomes an aqua greenish blue color as it pools.
This water is used at the DeCecco pasta factory. Apparently the water is the key ingredient to make this pasta taste so good. You pass by the factory on your way to this canyon.
The entire town has been basically built by DeCecco pasta and the DeCecco family over the last 150 years!
It just makes you want to slow down, sit and stay awhile.
Outdoor cafe at the end of the hike
Near the springs there is a small outdoor cafe in a park like setting.
Huge trees lots with lots of foliage all next to the pools and streams. There is a little cafe there that serves everything from ice cream to arrostichini which is the most famous Abruzzan cuisine.
While we sat at one of the cafe tables, we were able to watch a guy use a hairdryer to stoke the coals for the Arrosticini grill.
Now that is what I call inventive!
Our Italian adventures.
If you are new here and want to read more about our Italian adventures you can read them here.
You may also be interested in our Italian palace that we bought and renovating it to be fractionally owned private residences here.
That sounds like so much fun. The natural springs are just beautiful.
The water was so gorgeous! Everywhere we went the aqua colored water was everywhere it seemed. Thank you for following my Italian adventures. 🙂