Pierosara – Foro degli Occhialoni – I Gradoni
An ancient trail suspended among the rocks
- Trail Conditions: On foot
- Interest: Flora, Wildlife, Geology, Panorama, Hystory, Photography
- Duration: 45 min
- Difficulty Level: T, EE
- Length: 1.93 km
- Difference in height: 135m
Typology: outward itinerary
Trail marker: 117
From the small church at the edges of the historical town center of Pierosara follow trail 117 along the dirt road that, going round a house, runs flat along some cultivated fields. At the crossroads with trail 139, it changes sharply direction, entering the pinewood. Once you reach a site, the dirt road becomes a trail and crosses a small wall of friable rocks. Beyond it, cross a ditch and go ahead on a trail cut into the mountainside on the eastern slope of Mt. of Frasassi. Immediately after the junction with the track which, on the right, leads to the entrance of Grotta di Mezzogiorno, the trail continues steep across the woodland to reach the spot where you can overlook the spectacular Foro degli Occhialoni. From here, go shortly left, and then continue for a few meters across the woodland. Some rocky steps will lead you out of the woodland, next to the thin ridge overhanging, on the other side, Gola di Frasassi.
This historical trail has been named after the so-called "Gradoni" or "Scaloni" (meaning "steps") which, engraved in the rock of the ridge, made the passage safer.
The itinerary ends here, according to the limits established for safety reasons and to respect the wildlife living on the walls overhanging the Gola.
