THE
TRAIL OF THE OVERFLOW,
of Giuseppe Bambini
The hike we are about to propose proceeds along well-marked paths and trails and permits the hiker to reach the meadows at the top of Mount Subasio; it is the historic Trail of the Overflow , an itinerary followed by generations of Assisians when they climbed their mountain for the traditional Easter and Assumption picnics, or during hot summer days. The steep initial ascent and the sizable height to be scaled (670 meters going up and coming down) are more than made up for by the sparkling air of the woods and the splendid panoramas. We recommend comfortable clothing, and shoes suitable for a trip to the mountains. Bring along a small knapsack packed with something to drink, a rain slicker, a compass, and a map of the Paths of Mount Subasio, on a scale of 1:200000 of the C.A.I. section of Foligno, binoculars so as to enjoy the views and a camera for memories. ITINERARY: Walk up from Piazza Matteotti (445 m) along Via Santuario delle Carceri which will soon bring you to Porta Cappuccini (469 m). Pass under the arch and turn left on the dirt road which flanks the walls of the Rocchiciola (trail marker 50-51). Once you've arrived at the castle's keep, take the little road to the right, which goes past a small fountain and brings you to a fork. Do not take the trail to the left (trail marker 50) but continue straight on (trail marker 51). The steep, well-defined path you are on continues along an area thickly reforested with black pines. Once you arrive at Montarone (800m), the trail levels off. Abandon here the principal trail (and trail marker 50) and turn sharply to the left (N-N-W) along a level path which takes you into a woods of resinous trees and live-oaks. Shortly afterwards (and unexpectedly!) you will see on your right a number of chestnut trees, the only examples of this tree on the whole of Mount Subasio. Their presence, however, is not a mere accident of nature; this is Cibroccolo's chestnut grove. Just a little further ahead, you will arrive at what remains of Cibroccolo's Hut (790m - 60 minutes from your departure) preceded by a few fruit trees, by now grown wild. You will find the hut's few ruins on the right side of the trail, and continuing along a slight descent, in about 60 meters, you will find, once again on the right, and by now surrounded by brambles, the Fountain of Cibroccolo, which is dry. From the ruins of the hut, continue on for a few meters; you will reach a fork. Take the trail to the right which, just after a clearing, leads to the Forest Corps' service road. Take a right on this road and you will soon find yourself at the Magdalen Fountain (800 m - 10 min from Cibroccolo's hut). The spot is charming and equipped with wooden benches, but the fountain, which is in excellent condition, is, incredibly enough, kept dry by those who are responsible for maintaining and running this important public mountain property. Continuing to climb (W-S-W) along the service road through densely reforested areas, you will intersect another service road. Turn left here and continue to climb(trail marker 53). At the next fork, continue straight along the main track. After about 30 meters, leave the main service road and take a small road off to the right which climbs up a valley shaded by a beech wood sprinkled with maples. When your path becomes blocked by brambles exit the woods to your left and then climb up steeply to the right across the clearing. You will soon come out on the Subasio's "Panoramic Road". Here, ignore trail marker 53 and cross the road. Go down a few meters and you will arrive at the Strazzi Refuge (1045 m. - 45 min from the Magdalen Fountain), already visible from the road. Here turn to the right (S-W) and, having crossed a metal fence, climb freely up the steep slope which will, in no time, bring you to the conical peak of San Rufino's Hill (1110m - 10 min from the Strazzi Refuge), with its magnificent panorama. Below you stretches the Umbrian valley (from S to W) with the long chain of the Martani Mountains which towers above; at a distance you can make out Mount Amiata (W-S-W), and, shifting your gaze slightly to the right, Mount Cetona, the hills of Lake Trasimene, the city of Perugia, Mount Tezio (N-W), Mount Acuto and Mount Corona. Further still, Mount Nerone (N), and then the long chain of the Umbrian and Marchigian Apennines. Magnificent view looking down on Vallonica's karst basin (S-E) furrowed with many canals which flow into the woody valley of the Fosse of the Carceri. The meadows at the top of Mount Subasio bestow a great sense of peace upon the surrounding area. A wonderful spot in which to linger! Climb back down to the Strazzi Refuge and here turn to the right. Immediately afterwards, you will cross a metal fence and come to a fountain (this one is also dry!). Continue your descent along the valley following a well-defined trail. Use the wooden step-ladder to cross another fence and continuing to descend you will intersect the great valley of the Fosse delle Carceri. Here turn to the right and continue to descend (trail marker 50) until you come out on the asphalt road which you follow along to the right until you come to a fork where there is a parking lot with a custodian. Take the left fork, which will bring you, after not many meters, to the Hermitage of the Carceri (792 m - 25 min from San Rufino's hill). This mystical Franciscan spot is certainly worth a careful visit. The return itinerary described here allows you to avoid most of the asphalt road and affords you many excellent views of Assisi's fortresses, churches, and bell towers, of the whole Umbrian valley, and of the mountains which surround it. Let's go! From the hermitage, take the asphalt road which descends towards Assisi. Shortly afterwards, when you reach a stone cross, go straight onto the little step-path, which will soon take you back to the road. Continue along for two hairpin curves and then take the dirt road to the left which cuts across a long hairpin curve. Back on the asphalt road, go past the pizzeria/bar "Le Carcerelle", and then take the second (not the first!) trail to the left, marked Via Fonte Maggio, which will bring you to the May Fountain (555m). The trail continues, descending along the Fonte Maggio Camping Grounds, and then, among olive trees and majestic oaks, leads to Porta Cappuccini and then again to Piazza Matteotti (445 m - 50 min from Hermitage of the Carceri). But the historic Overflow Trail does not end here. In the following article, Federica Annibali describes -- in her delicate prose -- personalities, stories, facts, curiosities, anecdotes, and the wide gamut of humanity connected to this itinerary, so deeply rooted in the memories of the inhabitants of the city of Assisi.