E1 Italy
From Porto Ceresio (Lombardy) to Capo Passero (Sicily)
From Porto Ceresio (Lombardy) to Capo Passero (Sicily)
The Italian Route of E-Path E1
The Italian section of the E1 trail starts in Porto Ceresio, on Lake Lugano; those travelling north to south arrive there by ferry from Morcote, on the Swiss shore.
E1 crosses Lombardy as far as the south-west border and in its route touches on environments of naturalistic, historical, cultural and anthropic significance: archaeological areas, anti-Swiss war fortifications of 1915 (unused, fortunately), the Ticino Regional Park, the city of Pavia and the towpaths of the Po River, to name but a few.
Entering Piedmont at the Mulino dei Torti, it runs along the valley of the Scrivia torrent, passing through heavily man-made areas, but also through rural areas, cultivated fields and important religious centres. Having reached the foothills of the Ligurian Apennines, it climbs up the Piedmontese side to the Bocchetta Pass, where its Ligurian section begins, which substantially coincides with the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri, clearly marked on the ground.
The Alta Via dei Monti Liguri / E1 runs along the ridge of the Ligurian Apennines, suspended between the Mediterranean Sea to the south and the Po Valley to the north, along mountain paths that reach a maximum altitude of 1600 metres above sea level.) The environments traversed are often uncontaminated in a mixture of mountain and sea, with a view that can sweep from the Maritime Alps to Corsica and the Apuan Alps.
At the Foce dei Tre Confini, the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri heads south-east towards the coast, while the E1 trail branches off from it towards the ridge of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines to the north-east, along the Ligurian-Tuscan connection to the Passo dei Due Santi, the official starting point of its Tuscan-Emilian section.
Here, the E1 path overlaps for long stretches with the historical "CAI 00 path" and "Grande Escursione Appenninica, GEA", departing from them to avoid, where variants are possible, challenging and/or very exposed ridge sections. Path E1 Tosco Emiliano can be roughly divided into two troughs, with very different characteristics, even though it proceeds along the same Apennine ridge. The first 10 stages wind along high mountain paths, almost constantly above 1,500 metres in altitude, touching the 2054 metres above sea level of the summit of Monte Prado. Characterising this first 'alpine' part are the continuous ups and downs along the very scenic ridges, interspersed with stretches of woodland, with long stages due to the obligatory distances between support points. Once past the village of Pracchia (PT), the prevailing characteristics are those of mid-mountain terrain: long stretches in the forest with a few passages above 1,200 metres above sea level, and fascinating views from the clearings among the trees. In this second part, there are also important historical-religious points of interest, including the Sanctuary of La Verna and the Hermitage of Camaldoli, the towns of Caprese Michelangelo and Pieve Santo Stefano. The Tuscan-Emilian section of E1 ends at the Bocca Trabaria Pass, where Umbria and Marche border (actually, the real 'border' between Tuscany, Umbria and Marche would be a few hundred metres to the north, on the Poggio dei Tre Termini, but by convention the Tuscan GEA ends at Bocca Trabaria).
The Umbrian section of E1 continues to Bocca Serriola (Città di Castello, PG), along the watershed between the Metauro valley in the Marche and the Tiber valley in Umbria. It is a ridge trail with continuous ups and downs, very scenic. It does not reach particularly high altitudes, on average between 700 and 1400 metres above sea level, with few exceptions. The E1 trail then reaches the Monte Cucco Regional Nature Park, rich in spectacular caves, up to 35 km long, and then touches the villages of Costacciaro, Sigillo and Fossato di Vico. In the Val di Ranco one reaches an altitude of 1400 metres above sea level, the highest altitude of the Umbrian-Marches section, which is also reached in the stage from Valsorda to Monte Alago. Repeatedly crossing the 'border' between Umbria and Marche, the E1 trail then reaches the Colfiorito Regional Park and the Monti Sibillini Regional Natural Park, and finally arrives at Castelluccio di Norcia, a marvellous village in the memory of hikers and in the images before the 2016 earthquake, which destroyed it. From Castelluccio di Norcia, there are two options: heading to Forca di Presta, on the border with the Marche region, or remaining in the Sibillini Park and reaching Forca Canapine on the border with Lazio.
At Forca Canapine we 'officially' enter Lazio, heading towards Accumoli: we follow a dirt road that initially marks the border between Umbria and Marche for about a couple of kilometres, amidst wooded stretches and panoramic views. Then you decisively enter Lazio, pass through the beautiful area of the Accumoli Marshes, reach the small church of the Madonna delle Coste and then arrive at the Emergency Housing Solutions of Accumoli (885 metres above sea level), also a legacy of the 2016 earthquake.
If from Castelluccio di Norcia one heads towards Forca di Presta (possibly climbing to the summit of Monte Vettore, EE), two stages must be foreseen: the first up to Arquata del Tronto and the second that rejoins the 'base' route near Accumoli, at the Church of the Madonna delle Coste. From Accumoli, the E1 trail descends to the bottom of the valley (750 metres above sea level) and climbs among the numerous villages of the Laga Mountains, until it reaches Amatrice (950 metres above sea level), the most important one, slowly but progressively undergoing post-earthquake reconstruction. Beyond Amatrice, the E1 path crosses Lake Scandarello on a bridge and reaches the Velino River Valley at Cittareale. In this place, the ancient Roman consuls used to pass the ancient Via Salaria, which came from Rome and through the narrow gorges of the Velino River to reach the Adriatic Sea, to transport salt and Roman legions.
Descending southwards, the E1 path splits into a main route (which climbs along the eastern foothills of Monte Terminillo and immense chestnut groves up to a maximum altitude of 1100 metres above sea level), and a variant that can only be walked in summer, as it requires frequent fording of the river Velino in the homonymous gorges. Once past Cittareale, the route climbs from the plain of the Velino river to the Valle del Lago del Salto. Passing from village to village, among forests, valleys and panoramic viewpoints (maximum altitude 1263 m a.s.l.), we visit villages rich in religious and secular history, because only through the Valle del Salto could Rome be reached when the Tiber flooded. Through Petrella Salto, Fiamignano, Sant'Elpidio, Corvaro and Cartore in the Duchessa Nature Reserve we enter Abruzzo from the Le Forche Pass.
The Abruzzo section of the E1 Trail runs on average around 1,000 m above sea level and can be walked almost all year round, with the exception of the coldest periods. It passes through medieval villages, plains and some of the oldest forests in Europe. Seven stages for a total of about 110 km lead to the southern border with Lazio at Camporotondo.
The first part of the stretch runs from west to east along the Velino-Sirente massif, highlighting a rugged and rough terrain of rock and low vegetation, mainly juniper and oak trees, and passes through Abruzzo villages with interesting historical and architectural features, primarily Rosciolo with its Romanesque church Santa Maria di Porclaneta and Celano with its Piccolomini Castle, as well as valuable natural features such as the Celano Gorge, listed among the 10 most beautiful canyons in Italy.
The second part of the Abruzzese section, more hilly, descends into the valley along the ancient bed of Lake Fucino, drained first by the Roman Emperor Claudius, then by the Torlonia family in 1878. Along the way we encounter evidence of Roman civilisation: Alba Fucens and its Roman Amphitheatre, the Medieval Village of Albe. Still in a hilly environment and with views of the Fucino Plain, we cross the Piani Palentini, the scene of the Battle of the same name between Charles of Anjou and Corradino of Swabia in 1268, to reach Tagliacozzo and then Camporotondo, through beautiful tall forests, among the oldest in Europe.
From Camporotondo (1417 m a.s.l.), the E1 path re-enters Lazio along its southern stretches and crosses the entire Monti Simbruini Park from east to west. Some typical places of religious worship of the local populations are visited, such as the Santuario della Santissima Trinità di Vallepietra, carved into the rock under a 250 m sheer wall. then climb up to the 1855 m of Monte Autore, a beautiful viewpoint over the Simbruini Mountains Park. Path E1 then descends to the Sanctuary of the Sacro Speco, built around the cave where St Benedict of Norcia took refuge to live as a hermit in the early 6th century. We then reach the monastery of Santa Scolastica in the territory of Subiaco (400 m a.s.l.), where E1 coincides with the Way of St. Benedict, continuing southwards in the Monti Simbruini Park, up the Aniene river valley to Trevi, 800 m a.s.l. The E1 path continues southwards again and enters the Monti Ernici, reaching Collepardo (600 mslm), the nearby Certosa di Trisulti (800 mslm), the Amaseno river valley and the Abbazia di Casamari (300 mslm), and finally the Liri river, crossing heavily man-made areas such as Castelliri, Isola del Liri, Arpino (500 mslm).
Through the Melfa Gorge, the E1 trail reaches Roccasecca (250 m a.s.l.) and, again overlapping the St. Benedict's Path, at the foot of Mount Cairo, arrives at the Abbey of Montecassino (500 m a.s.l.), located along the 'Gustav Line', theatre of the 1940-1945 war. E1 descends to Cassino (38 m a.s.l.) along the pavement of an ancient Roman road and near some archaeological remains. From Cassino, E1 runs along the Rapido river until it reaches La Selva Lake (900 m a.s.l.), where E1 leaves Lazio and enters Molise.
The first part to Scapoli runs at the foot of the Mainarde Mountains, starting at the lake and passing just below the Collelungo Memorial. From Scapoli, the world capital of bagpipes, it gradually descends to the Volturno River, then climbs to the 1,000 metres of the Lakes of Gallo and Letino. Here it enters the Matese Park with three very fascinating, but also demanding stages. Two of them start from Letino, one dedicated to experienced hikers, which climbs to the 2050 metres above sea level of Monte Miletto and then descends to Campitello Matese, and the other, dedicated to average hikers, which runs all through the central part of the park, alternating between stretches of beech forest or small plateaus and open parts among grass and rocks.
The last stage starts from the ski resort of Campitello and climbs to Monte Gallinola (1930 m a.s.l.), and then descends to lower altitudes, always alternating between beech forest crossings and plateaus and rocky open parts from which one can see the three lakes and the surrounding mountains, to the Bocca della Selva resort. The E1 in Molise crosses woods, plateaus, open ridges, lakes and villages rich in history and tradition.
The Sannite stages start from Bocca della Selva/ Monte Mutria and descend into the valley of the Titerno River, which, after Cusano Mutri, enters a very interesting gorge. From here it climbs a rise and descends to San Lorenzello, a town that has been producing quality ceramics since 1500. This leads to the Solopaca wine valley, passing hillsides with vineyards as far as the eye can see. When you reach Solopaca, you have to go over Monte Camposauro and cross the entire park until you reach Monte Taburno, from where you descend to Montesarchio, on the Regina Viarum (Via Appia).
Here we cross the Benevento/Avellino provincial boundary and pass into the Parthenio Park, a destination, above all, of religious pilgrimages with the Benedictine Sanctuary of Monte vergine, built in 1124 by St William of Vercelli. We moved from the Valle Caudina to the Valle del Sabato, with the city of Avellino at its centre.
From Abellinum, an ancient Roman settlement on the Via Appia, the E1 continues up the Sabato River, touching the mountainous structure of Monte Terminio and entering the Monti Picentini Park.
The entire stretch alternates between beech forests and vineyards, chestnut, hazelnut and coppice forests, plateaus and watercourses.
The stages through the Monti Picentini Park are all of medium difficulty and allow us to pass from the Calore Valley to the Sele/Tanagro Valley.
They are characterised by plateaus and peaks from which the sea of the Gulf of Salerno can be admired. The vegetation is very dense and consists of well-tended chestnut and beech woods of considerable height and age.
Once past the junction between the Sele and Tanagro rivers, we pass into the Cilento-Vallo di Diano-Alburni National Park with some demanding stages that take us through the Alburni, rich in plateaus and karst caves. The E1 continues southwards and after San Rufo encounters no other villages except Sanza, before which it climbs Mount Cervati, the highest peak in Campania. From Sanza, the last stage takes us to Casalbuono, where the Campania section ends.
Leaving Campania, the E1 passes into Basilicata. The first stages run along an old route of a disused railway, while, from Castelluccio inf., the stretch into the Pollino National Park begins, with beautiful plateaus and peaks exceeding 2,000 metres.
Don't miss a visit to the Pino Loricato sites, splendid tree structures of rare beauty. In winter, it is possible to cross the park with snowshoes and stay in the refuges. The Basilicata section ends at Campo Tenese, already in Calabrian territory, just over the border.
The E1 path in Calabria is currently underr development and at Reggio Calabria ceosses the Strait of Messina, to reach its southern end at Capo Passero, across its eastern territory.
