The best MTB trails around Castellafiume

Beautiful little lake nestled in the heart of the Simbruini mountains

Panoramic point at about 1750 meters above sea level, important crossroads for singletrack

Historically, boundary stones date back to Roman times; they were considered sacred and governed by specific legal norms. In modern times, they were widely used starting in the 15th century to mark borders between states, with many significant examples also between the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and the Papal States in the 19th century, when hundreds were placed along a line separating the two states. These stones are often actual stone columns with coats of arms and numbers indicating the sequence and the state to which the border belongs. This one from 1847 features the Keys of St. Peter, symbol of the Papal States, and the Bourbon Lily, symbol of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.

Peace, silence, views... it's all there.

Starting from Campo dell'Osso, at an altitude of 1,750 meters, amid cool beech forests and silence broken only by the sound of tires on the ground. After a short initial stretch on a mixed trail, we immediately enter the heart of Cannavacciari, one of the most evocative trails in the Simbruini Mountains Natural Park. The trail winds steadily downhill, technical yet fluid, for 6.2 km, reaching Campo Secco at 1,340 meters. The elevation gain is significant—about 410 meters—but the varied terrain makes it fun and never boring. Fast sections alternate with tight curves, passages over roots, rocks, and some counter-slopes of up to 19%, reminding us that even on descents, you need to be strong. Every curve offers glimpses of the forest, shady sections, and the scent of pristine nature. The Cannavacciari trail has a touch of the ancient past: it's said to have been a link once used by charcoal burners and shepherds, and today it's beloved by mountain bike enthusiasts for its wild and authentic feel. The trail isn't always marked, so GPS is strongly recommended. Once you reach Campo Secco, an intense experience comes to an end, where every meter has been earned with technique and attention. A must for those who love natural, uncontrived enduro.

It is a small reservoir, or lake, located on the Campo Ceraso karst plateau, within the Monti Simbruini Regional Natural Park, in the upper Fioio Valley, between Monte Tarino and the Serra di San Michele. This area is characterized by a mountainous landscape with large beech forests, sinkholes, and swallow holes, typical of karst terrain. The area once marked the border between the Papal States and the Kingdom of Naples, and the ancient boundary stones can still be seen today. An unattended refuge is also located near the lake.

Descending through a beautiful beech forest from the SS Trinità parking lot, you reach the Cippi Papalini. Two centuries ago, they were the border between the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and the Papal States, now Abruzzo and Lazio. We are also at the intersection of the three provinces of Rome, L'Aquila, and Frosinone.

The Simbruini Mountains plateau is a crossroads for interesting and varied trails. Cycling on this plateau, you can take advantage of its connection to a wide variety of destinations, including Livata, Campaegli, Vedute, Cervara, and Fioio. The only drawback is the lack of fountains.