5.0
(3)
13
hikers
Pozze del Diavolo Waterfall – San Michele Cave loop from La Pianella
00:46
2.61km
70m
Hiking
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Last updated: July 9, 2026
Tips
Your route passes through protected areas
Please check local regulations for:
Monte Tancia e Monte Pizzuto
Waypoints
Start point
Get Directions
3 m
Hermitages and Chasms
Highlight • Trail
The Hermitage of San Michele Arcangelo: History and Rock Faith
The trail leads to the Hermitage of San Michele Arcangelo, one of the oldest and most significant rock sanctuaries in Sabina, with origins dating back to the 4th century. This place of worship is literally carved into the rock face and is reached via a final climb that culminates in an evocative portal. Inside the cave, the small church still preserves fragments of frescoes, the most famous of which depicts the Archangel Michael in his armor, a symbol of the eternal struggle between good and evil. The isolated and panoramic location invites contemplation.
The Hermitage of San Leonardo: The Ancient Hermit Cave
Continuing the loop, you reach the Hermitage of San Leonardo, a place that embodies the profound hermit spirituality of the Early Middle Ages. This site is known as the Grotto of San Leonardo, a natural cavity used as a refuge and place of prayer since the 8th century. Its historical importance lies precisely in its being an example of rock worship, where monks sought isolation in the rock.
In the immediate vicinity of the hermitage, the geological composition of the wall has created a cliff that, while today a reference point for sport climbing, adds an element of natural majesty to the spiritual context, testifying to the wild beauty of the place.
The Medieval Mill: Hydraulic Heritage
After leaving the hermitages, the trail descends towards the valley floor of the Galantina stream. Here you come across the remains of the Medieval Mill, a testament to the ingenuity and economy of the past. The ancient hydraulic structure, of which the foundations and sometimes the stone millstones are still visible, was essential for grinding grain and for the life of the Roccantica community, harnessing the driving force of the water flowing in the stream.
The Revotano Abyss: The Mysterious Chasm
The itinerary continues towards its geological culmination: the Revotano Abyss. This imposing karst sinkhole, of extraordinary dimensions, is one of the most spectacular natural phenomena in the Sabine Mountains. It is a deep chasm formed by the collapse of the ceiling of an underground cave, so large that it is classified as a tiankeng.
The Revotano is surrounded by an aura of mystery, fueled by a famous legend that tells of divine punishment and the sinking of an entire village. Visitors can admire the abyss from the vantage point, but the more adventurous and experienced can descend to its bottom, a unique ecosystem with a humid microclimate that favors unusually lush vegetation.
The loop ends by returning to the Old Tancia Provincial Road, concluding an experience that spans millennia of history and the power of nature.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
10 m
Monte San Giovanni in Sabina
Highlight • Settlement
Translated by Google •
Tip by
115 m
Forest Stream at Monte San Giovanni
Highlight • River
512 m
Pozze del Diavolo Waterfall
Highlight • Waterfall
Translated by Google •
Tip by
1.67 km
San Michele Cave
Highlight • Cave
Translated by Google •
Tip by
1.82 km
San Michele Cave
Highlight • Cave
Translated by Google •
Tip by
2.61 km
End point
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
2.44 km
132 m
Surfaces
2.21 km
238 m
132 m
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Elevation
Highest point (700 m)
Lowest point (650 m)
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Weather
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Friday 10 July
32°C
16°C
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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
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