Its characteristic feature is its proximity to the sea-in fact, it enjoys a great record in all of Europe: Mount Petrella, the highest peak of the Aurunci Mountains, at 1540 m. asl, close to the Gulf of Gaeta, is the highest and closest mountain to the sea in Europe.
The Camino includes a walking route of about 90 km and a mountain bike route of 150 km. and can be covered in 4 or 5 STAGEs.

The quaint medieval town of Minturno is the starting point of the walk, and the final destination is the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Civita in Itri, already a destination for pilgrims. The Aurunci Mountains are the way, crossing the paths of the Monti Aurunci Nature Park.

Views of the gulf range from Vesuvius to Ischia to the Pontine Islands and the Circeo promontory.

Technical Sheet

  • Length:

    88,5 km

  • Stages:

    4

  • Departure:

    Minturno

  • Arrival:

    Itri

HISTORY

As early as the 1700s, the territory of the Aurunci Mountains was configured as a borderland suspended between the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and the Papal State. This condition deeply influenced the development and identity of those who inhabited these mountainous areas and, at the same time, close to the sea.

The landscape of the Aurunci Mountains has undergone a slow and gradual transformation due to human activities that have produced works that have shaped the land such as terracing and dry stone walls, called macere, made for the cultivation of olive groves. The millennial human presence on the Aurunci is even better witnessed by the ancient monasteries and small shelters, the remains of forgotten towns and the echoes of past legends that mark the park’s territory.

The territory of the Aurunci Mountains is not only nature, but also history, culture and traditions that constitute the peculiarities of places that preserve their charm unchanged

WATER SOURCES.

Water sources are numerous, especially in the villages you pass through and in the mountains at springs along the way.

STAGE-BY-STAGE SERVICES

The Walk passes through villages close to the Aurunci Mountain range where it is possible to find hospitality and refreshment in b&b’s and restaurants that have an agreement. You can contact the association that designed the walk for services: guide, mountain bike rental, luggage transport, route reduction, assistance, GPS

SIGNAGE

The Cammino degli Aurunci uses dedicated signage with a red arrow and the wayfarer and/or biker symbol. Signage is present in territories outside the Aurunci Park, where CAI signage is present instead. It is highly advisable to use a GPS device and to request the tracks of the Camino

DANGERS

There are no particular dangers except those typical of mountain trails that are not particularly difficult except for very short stretches. Especially in the spring-summer period, encounters with flocks of goats protected by shepherd dogs are frequent. It is advisable to avoid approaching the herd. The park is also heavily frequented by wild boars, which, if not disturbed, generally move away without creating danger

TENT WALK

It is possible to walk the Camino in a tent using the designated spaces on the route. Some facilities offer camping opportunities.

ROAD BOTTOM.

About 70 % of the route is on dirt roads and trails. The remaining 30 % is on very low-traffic paved roads. For very few sections it is necessary to cross the Appian Highway

CONTACTS

The association that promoted the implementation of the Cammino is A.S.D. Maremoto of Formia. It provides services of assistance, guiding, bike rental, luggage transport, GPS tracks

Maria Letizia Grella 3396687913

E-Mail: il@camminodegliaurunci.org

STAGE 01

STAGE 1: from Minturno to Spigno Saturnia Superiore – km 27 – Height difference mt 805

The Cammino begins in the main square of Minturno, just below the castle. Before leaving the village, it is worth walking the only two main streets, one parallel to the other, that run through the most characteristic part of the village.

The Church of St. Peter the Apostle (photo) and the Church of the Annunziata are worth a short stop.

From Castle Square continue in the direction of Solacciano along a side road that descends toward Scauri.
Continuing on you reach the coast and the Gianola Park where you can admire the Roman remains of the Villa di Mamurra, the Grotta delle Janare, and ancient cisterns. Leaving the park behind we begin the ascent to Spigno Saturnia Superiore

STAGE 02

STAGE 2: from Spigno Saturnia Superiore to Maranola – km 22.8 – Height difference mt 1528

The most challenging and most scenic STAGE of the Camino! Three peaks will be reached: Monte Petrella, Monte Sant’Angelo and Redentore. All-mountain route between CAI trails

From the small square of Spigno Vecchio we proceed on the paved road toward the cemetery, after which the road continues uphill toward the mountains. After about 1 km we find the beginning of the CAI trail. n. 968. This is a challenging route, especially because of the elevation gain to be overcome. After about two hours of ascent we reach the Spampaduro Saddle. Continuing left along the same path, after about an hour and a half of walking in the woods, the dolina di Juanna Pit. After about 500 meters, having reached the Fossa Juanna fork, follow the path to the left along the n. 963 which will lead us after a short time to the summit of Mt. Petrella.

It continues along the path n. 913 up to Mt. St. Angelo where the view is really impressive. Going through the dense forest in a westerly direction following the trail Nos. 961 and 962 we arrive at the top of Mount Redeemer where we can admire the statue of the Christ the Redeemer and the view of the entire Gulf, from Vesuvius to Circeo.

Just below the Redeemer you continue along the CAI trail. n. 960 where shortly afterwards you can make a stop at the Church of St. Michael the Archangel before continuing downhill to the Pornito Refuge where you can have a well-deserved meal (check opening and reservation) before continuing along the paved mountain road to Maranola

STAGE 03

STAGE 3: from Maranola to Itri – km 17.1 – Height difference mt 891

From the main square of Maranola, one crosses the old village following the main axis up to the fortress. From the parking lot below we descend on a narrow path that crosses some land then climbs and intercepts the paved road in the direction of the Redeemer. After a short while on the right we take the ancient path that is still taken by pilgrims to get to the Church of San Michele.

After a few kilometers we come to a crossroads; we follow the cartroad on the left in the direction of the Acquaviva Refuge, which we reach after about 4 kilometers. We continue on the path n. 956 right next to the refuge, after 50 meters we find on the right the Sosta Bellavista where it is possible to stop for lunch. After crossing the Mesole plateau we continue to the right along the trail No. 956b which will lead us to the Neve ditch and continue downhill to sella Viola. We turn left along the path n. 958 in the direction of the Campello Vecchio fork and then to the Rifugio di Tozze. A downhill cart track will lead to the village of Itri, the destination of the third STAGE.

STAGE 04

STAGE 4: from Itri to the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Civita – km 21.3 – Height difference mt 965

From the main square of Itri we walk along Corso Appio Claudio to the Museum of Brigantaggio. We continue on the Via Appia until we take the contrada Ciovareccia on the left, which after an uphill stretch continues on the left along a dirt road of the Via Francigena. We follow it all the way to the end, keeping to the right until the road becomes paved again. We turn right again and continue until we reach the Cemetery of Itri. We return for a short distance on the via Appia to take after a few meters the via Appia Antica on the right side. We follow it downhill until we come to a small detour on the left that, crossing the via Appia nuova, resumes the ancient road marked with trail Cai no. 925. A long descent between Roman cobblestones, Fortino di Sant’Andrea and, at the end, the Bridge leads us back to the Appian Way for a few meters and then we take the path to the right n. 923 Following the signs for Forest of St. Archangel. The road after a few hundred meters becomes unpaved and continues for 8 km. to the Botanical Garden. We continue following a single trak along the trail n.919 to the ruins of San Vennitto and through a downhill valley to the dirt road that leads to the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Civita, the destination of the Camino

Cammino degli Aurunci

With the free Cammini d’Italia app, you can plan and walk the Cammino degli Aurunci safely, being able to plan the stages in detail and walk the route thanks to the built-in GPS technology that supports your orientation during your adventure.

⠀Inside the app you will find many other paths present in Italy. Thanks to the georeferenced tracks of many routes you will be able to study the itinerary that suits you best and also download the GPX tracks of the individual STAGEs offline.

The app also includes a complete digital map of all the paths surveyed to date on our portal, giving you a wide range of choices among the many paths in the Belpaese.

⠀⠀
Cammini d’Italia is the perfect app for those who want to explore the beauty of Italy on foot, discovering hidden places surrounded by nature. Download it for free today and start planning your next adventure!

⠀

⠀

⠀⠀⠀