ROCCAMONFINA - Trail of Bacco

Monte Massico, a natural barrier that divides the Caserta plain from the Garigliano valley, is a solitary mountain "only" 800 meters high but it must not be underestimated or derided, after all it is a place inhabited by the Gods.

An ancient legend tells that in a very distant distant period, when weapons were still unknown and man lived for little, in the evening, in the small and modest hut of the old farmer Falerno, a particular traveler appeared ... who he would never have thought that under those dusty clothes there was a god, Bacchus, the lord of wine.

Moved by the hospitality and kindness of the old Falerno, the god gave him the heady drink, which began to flow from the poor wooden goblets and buckets ... he found himself alone but his surprise was great when he left the house: Massico was green, covered with vines, an expanse of green and red, as far as the eye could see.

Since then, the wine has taken the name of the elderly farmer.

Even today, after thousands of years, Massico preserves large woods and, on its slopes, long rows of vineyards where the future Falerno grows kissed by the sun.

In this natural amphitheater, a long and suggestive path winds its way that from the village of Falciano del Massico, on the south side, leads to two very suggestive places: the first is the so-called “Grotta di s. Angelo ", a huge karst cavity, probably linked to the cult of the Archangel Michael, the other, on the other hand, is located in a large valley on the north side, a plain that in the early Middle Ages was inhabited by a community of monks, who flocked to the small cave where a local saint lived and died, s. Martino (not to be confused with St. Martin of Tours).

Little is left of the ancient hermitage but the charm certainly remains intact, thanks both to the frescoed cave where, according to legend, the Saint lived, and to the view that can be enjoyed towards the valley below: on the left the sea and the Gulf of Gaeta, on the right, the medieval village of Sessa Aurunca, dominated by the ancient volcano of Roccamonfina. Nature, history and ancient legends ... a perfect combination!

Recommended Equipment: technical trekking shoes required (the use of any other kind of shoes will preclude participation for safety reasons), trekking poles, comfortable layered clothing, windproof jacket/vest, hat/sunglasses and spare clothing to take with you or to keep in the car.

Technical Details:

Difficulty: E (medium)

Length: about 15km;

Duration: about 6 hours

Difference in altitude: 400 m

CARLO AMENDOLA ENVIRONMENTAL GUIDE - Carlo Amendola