Val Fondillo (Opi) - Valico Passaggio dell'Orso
Val Fondillo
(photo by: Pasqualino Leone, Archivio PNALM)
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The trail (trail marker F2) runs along torrent Fondillo, rich in trout, flowing with its clear waters into the Sangro. The banks of the watercourse are covered by a rich riparian vegetation dominated by willows and are surrounded by wonderful beech woods. The wildlife of the valley is also of great interest: it is characterized by the presence of the Brown Bear, which sometimes is sighted by hikers. Going ahead, you will find two areas with rests of reforestation activities (black pine, larch, and spruce fir) and several clearings opening along the slopes of the valley, very rich in flowers.
Along the trail, you will touch Grotta delle Fate, situated halfway from Valico Passo dell'Orso. Going down on the left on a staircase made with the long roots of the beech trees, you will reach the Cave: it is a low and long cavity housing a spring of pure and transparent water.
Returning to the trail, you will get to the above-mentioned Passo dell'Orso. This pass has been used for centuries by the shepherds to reach Lazio and, since ancient times, it has been used by the pilgrims leaving from Pescasseroli and Opi to reach the famous Madonna di Canneto Sanctuary, in the homonymous valley.
Alta Val Fondillo - Passaggio dell'Orso
(photo by: Archivio PNALM)