From the Sanctuary of Poggio Bustone to the Sanctuary of La Foresta

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Distance 21,72 Km Travel time  7  hours Water sources yes
Increase in altitude + 750 Degree of difficulty Hard Resting areas yes
Loss of altitude – 450 Surface path, tarmac and dirty road Road sign  yes

From the Sanctuary of Poggio Bustone (Convent of St. James 818 metres above sea level), the walk continues downhill and passes through the town in the direction of Bandita. After about two km there is a path on the left that leads through terraced fields, crosses the town of Poeta, and continues for one kilometre on a paved road towards San Liberato for a total distance of five kilometres.

After the town, the road is left behind and the walk proceeds in the direction of Fonte di San Liberato. From here a path on a slight uphill climb leads to Cantalice and passes through its historical centre.

From Cantalice Superiore, the Vazia-Cantalice provincial road leads to Madonna della Pace. This road is then abandoned in order to follow another road that runs along the top of a hill. The walk now continues on a slight downhill descent and when crossing through the towns of Case Colasanti, San Gregorio and Civitella, one can admire Mount Terminillo to the East and the Rieti plain to the West with lakes Lungo and Ripasottile in the foreground.

Continuing downhill towards La Foresta Sanctuary, the path encounters the church dedicated to St. Felice from Cantalice. At this point, the walk goes on for 2.600 metres along a dirt road until it reaches a valley where it crosses the Via dell’Acquamartina. The walk rises uphill for about 500 metres then a right turn leads to the last uphill stretch. On the left, just past a cottage, the walk reaches the Sanctuary of La Foresta (550 metres above sea level) after a total walking distance of about 13 kilometres, taking approximately three hours.

From La Foresta Sanctuary to Rieti

From the Sanctuary of La Foresta (550 metres above sea level), Rieti is about 40 minutes away on a slight downhill slope.

The route starts in Poggio Bustone, where it crosses the itinerary of Valle Santa, and arrives in Rieti, passing through the medieval village of Cantalice, with its unforgettable stairway.

Useful information

Fountains can be found in Poggio Bustone, San Liberato, Cantalice Superiore, La Foresta and Rieti.

Intermediate stops

The route, shadowed by chestnut and beech trees, crosses several villages and sanctuaries, where to enjoy a pleasant break along the way.

Not to be missed

Poggio Bustone

The Sanctuary of San Giacomo, i Giardini di marzo.

Cantalice

The village, the church of San Felice, the Sanctuary of San Felice all’Acqua and the Sanctuary of la Foresta, with its wonderful vegetable gardens.

Tastings:

Poggio BustonePorchetta

CantaliceStrengozzi (homemade pasta) with tomato, garlic and majoram.

RietiFregnacce alla reatina, Pizzicotti (Made from bread dough) with spicy tomato sauce and abbacchio brodettato (lamb).