Piano amid mountain trails and history

Piano is situated in an area where protected mountain landscapes, trails and traces of Roccantica’s history shape travel planning. In the wider area around Piano, the Monte Tancia e Monte Pizzuto area is designated both as a Special Protection Area (SPA) and as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). A nearby route to Monte Pizzuto leads via Monte Menicoccio at an elevation of 1,204 metres. There is water at the Fonte Regna rest point on a route via Monte Pizzuto.

Mountain landscapes and climbing destinations

Around Roccantica, the Revotano is a karst sinkhole near the historic town centre. The nearby climbing wall is set in the green mountain landscape of Sabina at an altitude of around 500 metres. The second sector has around 10 routes; the protection is considered somewhat outdated but is still in decent condition. For planning purposes, natural formations, mountain landscapes and climbing can be considered as separate points of focus.

Hiking trails between forests and hermitages

Around Roccantica, the Eremi di Roccantica trail follows path 354A through mixed woodland with strawberry trees, holm oaks and downy oaks to a medieval mill, a waterfall and the Eremo di San Leonardo. After around 1 hour and 15 minutes, the trail reaches the Eremo di San Michele below Monte Menicoccio via a stone staircase. Trail 354 is used for a hike from Roccantica to the Pozze del Diavolo. The nearby Cammino del Capraro connects marked CAI trails above Roccantica into a circular route that leads as far as Rifugio Cognolo.

Historical traces in Roccantica

At the Eremo di San Leonardo, remains of the enclosure walls, an altar and traces of old frescoes have been preserved. Around the Eremo di San Leonardo, the remains of a water mill, its channels and its stone millwheel have also been preserved. In nearby Roccantica, Medioevo in Festa takes place every year in mid-August. The nearby Cammino del Capraro preserves a tradition associated with transhumant shepherds. The last recorded memory associated with this trail tells of large herds of goats and sheep being led to the mountain pastures by children.

Local flavours and practical information

Roccantica is known for Frittello di cavolfiore, a local speciality traditionally prepared with Sabina DOP extra virgin olive oil. The Sagra del Frittello festival takes place in March. For reference when planning a visit: on 28 May 2023, the Eremo di San Michele was considered closed.

Around Piano, a Cotral interregional service operates from Monday to Saturday between Poggio Mirteto and Terni via Roccantica | Piazza San Valentino; all stops are served on request. Roccantica | Piano is also a stop on a bus service to Poggio Mirteto | Stazione FS. Around Roccantica, on Via Piano, 100 metres before the entrance to the town’s main square, there is a two-storey car park for the Eremi di Roccantica trail.

More places for your trip to Italy: Stimigliano, Apoleggia, Cantalice, Castelnuovo Di Farfa, Cottanello, Poggio Nativo, Torricella In Sabina and Montopoli Di Sabina.

Back to the higher-level travel overview: Rieti.