IT 2.02 CUCCO GROUP

more info ...
The itinerary starts from the village of Pascelupo, s.n., where you leave the car and continue on asphalt towards Coldipeccio always turning left, until you meet the signpost from which you follow the 232 (6) towards Pian di Rolla. (1,2,3,4,5,6)
The obvious path gently ascends through a sequence of clearings and shrubby areas made up of maples, blackthorn, dog rose and hawthorn. During the ascent you encounter limestone rock sediments which make the route unique. (7,8,9,10,11,12)
At the junction with the 233 (7), which climbs on the right, continue straight with the 232 (6) until you reach Fonte il Giglio. Continuing you reach the junction with b.279 (22) that you must cross and proceed until the grassy saddle of Pian di Rolla, b.233 (7)-b283 (27), at the base of the summit of M. Motette, which connects Pascelupo with Calcara and Scheggia. (13,14,15,16,17,18,19)
Here opens a beautiful panorama of the Valle delle Prigioni which begins to show its full beauty. (20,21,22,23)
Return with the 232 (6) to the nearby previous junction and take right the 279 (22) descending while paying attention to the signposts. (24)
About halfway down the valley, continue descending crossing two fords with immediate ascent on both. (25,26,27,28,29,30)
At the second ascent, when you have almost reached the top, go left where you immediately start to descend. (31,32)
On this occasion there were many large uprooted beeches which created some problems in identifying the path and overcoming the trees, making the Valle delle Prigioni even more austere and "impregnable".
(33,34)
Continuing to descend, you find the normal route surrounded by lush vegetation rich in willows, poplars, hazels and ivy, walking in the bed of the Rio Freddo in this stretch now dry due to water intakes supplying the homes in the area which are less encountered further on. (35)
The 279 (22) joins 231 (5) which descends to Pascelupo. (36)
Here the human presence is felt by the remains of the ancient charcoal pits and the small walls of the water conduits. (37,38,39)
Crossing the ford, follow the Rio Freddo until reaching the “Scarpa del Diavolo” a curious and huge rock boulder, tilted, which overlooks the narrow passage. (40,41,42,43,44)
The V-shaped gorge is the effect of the erosion of the stream water which carves with such force as to shape cavities alternating small waterfalls and water pools surrounded by rocky walls that give special sensations. (45,46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54)
The name was given by the hermits who lived for a long time in nearby S. Girolamo abandoned and then, in recent times, restored. The term “prigione” derives from the Latin “prehensio”, which means the action of capturing the body with the soul surrendering to nature's contemplation favoring greater inner balance.
Soon you reach a narrow and tight tunnel, built for the aqueduct, where to pass you have to adjust to the available spaces helped by some slits that let light enter. (55,56,57,58)
This passage can be avoided by taking 231b (5b) on the right side of the river.
Shortly after you reach an electric cabin after which the landscape changes; the stream becomes a small river, and the forest becomes sparser, until, leaving 231 (5) which goes to C. il Sasso, you climb with 296 (46) to Pascelupo. (59,60,61,62)