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Turk's Cave – Montagna Spaccata of Gaeta loop from Gaeta

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

Turk's Cave – Montagna Spaccata of Gaeta loop from Gaeta

Moderate

4.4

(56)

259

hikers

Turk's Cave – Montagna Spaccata of Gaeta loop from Gaeta

03:25

12.0km

260m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: May 16, 2026

Tips

Temporary access restrictions

Includes segments with temporary access restrictions.

After 2.92 km for 146 m

Permit required

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

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3.09 km

Turk's Cave

Highlight • Cave

In the mountain there are three crevices in the rock, with a long staircase leading into the deepest central crevice and to the so-called 'Grotta del Turco'. This gash in the mountain, this enormous wound in the earth, was formed, according to the Christian tradition, immediately after the death of Jesus Christ. Proof of this is the mythical 'Hand of the Turk', an imprint left centuries ago in the rock (the shape of a hand, with five fingers), which would have been formed when a disbelieving Turkish sailor ( did not believe in the divine origin of the cracks in the mountain) he leaned with his right hand and the stone became soft under his pressure.

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3.26 km

Montagna Spaccata of Gaeta

Highlight • Canyon

The split mountain is a place where nature has created a geological phenomenon of rare beauty.
The 92-meter natural canyon of Teutonic origin was carved into the rock by erosive action.

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3.73 km

Polveriera Carolina

Highlight • Historical Site

The powder magazines are an important historical testament to human presence and activity on Monte Orlando in past eras, and they are part of the complex of fortifications and military construction artifacts dating back to the Aragonese and Bourbon dominations (14th-18th centuries). Even in more recent times, as indeed already in Roman times, the extraordinary strategic position of Monte Orlando was appreciated. The powder magazines enclose, within mighty walls, installations where war material (mainly gunpowder) was stored. Today, the Carolina, the Ferdinando, and the Trabacco are preserved in good condition and clearly visible.

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4.45 km

Statue of Mary, Help of Christians (Santa Maria Ausiliatrice)

Highlight • Monument

In this statue of the Blessed Mother, which was erected in the Parco Urbano Monte Orlando, she is invoked under the title "Mary, the help of Christians" (Latin: "Sancta Maria, auxilium christianorum"). In the course of church history, but above all of popular piety, innumerable titles have been found for Mary, with which believers have turned to her; see, for example, the so-called "Lauretanian Litany".
With their invocation "Santa Maria Ausiliatrice", the builders of this monument, which is in an exposed position, certainly wanted to give a widely visible expression of the request for the intercession of the Blessed Mother for the country - and above all for the people living there.

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4.64 km

Mausoleum of Lucius Munatius Plancus

Highlight • Monument

When I was there the mausoleum was closed. The views along the route certainly make the climb worth it

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4.79 km

Mount Orlando

Highlight • Natural Monument

The rounded promontory of Monte Orlando juts out into the blue Gulf of Gaeta and ends with a spectacular cliff overlooking the sea. It represents the extreme offshoot of the Aurunci Mountains chain towards the sea.
It is worthwhile to face the gentle climb to enjoy the beautiful view from the top.

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