MTB 20 - Cascia: through fields and woods in the hills of Saint Rita - Bike in Umbria

MTB 20 - Cascia: through fields and woods in the hills of Saint Rita

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Positive height difference : +790
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Negative height difference : -790
Leaving Cascia, the trail goes along the sealed road towards San Giorgio, and starts climbing immediately. At km 3.2, after a gentle bend to the right, it leaves the paved road and turns right along a narrow mule track (be careful, as the turnoff is not visible): from here one of the steepest parts of the climb begins, but it also provides a wonderful view of Cascia. The trail continues uphill, with a few flat or slightly downhill stretches that give bikers the chance to get their breath back, until it reaches a flat area (known as Colonnetta) at km 9.9, where bikers can refresh themselves at the spring on the right and admire the majesty of the Sibillini Mountains to the left.
It then continues along the first road to the left and keeps climbing until km 12.5, where it turns left onto another dirt road and goes downhill for a few hundred metres. At the paved road, it turns right and starts climbing again, following the signs to Castel Santa Maria, arriving there at km 14.6. After the drinking fountain on the left, it turns right and soon reaches the ruins of the magnificent Church of Santa Maria della Neve, destroyed by an earthquake in 1997, but still containing some interesting frescoes. From here it starts climbing again and once back on the sealed road it soon arrives at the Forca di Civita pass (km 18.5), the highest and the most panoramic spot of the trail. Here it turns right onto a dirt road, then immediately left down the fast dirt descent through the woods towards Cascia. The descent is not particularly difficult, but can be plenty of fun for expert bikers who can reach really high speeds.
At km 23, the trail goes through the village of Colmotino, then turns left onto the sealed road for a few kilometres before leaving it again at km 25.1 near Tazzo, and turning right onto a difficult dirt track (at Tazzo, those who wish can go straight ahead and return to Cascia along the sealed road). At the end of the difficult track, the trail turns left and soon returns to the sealed road and the starting point.
Along this route, lying on the hill of S. Agostino and surrounded by hills that go down to the river Corno, the village of Cascia will captivate you. The most important cultural and artistic centre in the area is certainly the town of Cascia. Known throughout the world as the town of Santa Rita, Cascia is a religious centre rich in mysticism and spirituality, offering artistic jewels such as the church of San Francesco, a splendid example of Gothic architecture, the church of Sant’Antonio Abate, founded in the 15th century then rebuilt and altered in Baroque style, the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria, the church of Sant’Agostino, at the top of the hill near the Rocca. Also worth visiting is the Communal Museum of Palazzo Santi and Palazzo Carli, as well as Roccaporena, which has a rich heritage of places recalling Santa Rita, such as the house where she lived, the garden of miracles, the rock and the rose garden, and the Villa di San Silvestro (Chiavano plateau), which has ruins of a pagan temple (2nd century BC). The splendid mountains and the untouched natural beauty of the nearby Sibillini Mountains National Park can also be enjoyed in this area.

Cascia: through fields and woods in the hills of Santa Rita

Vista sui Monti Sibillini

Panorama su Civita

Cascia: through fields and woods in the hills of Santa Rita

Cascia: through fields and woods in the hills of Santa Rita

Cascia