Cantiano:
Nature and Trails
It is inevitable for those of us who live in Apennine towns to share
our existence and our future prospects with the “mountain” looming
over us, our sustenance and pride.
Fate has been kind to Cantiano in bestowing upon her an important dowry,
Mt. Catria, which together with Mts. Acuto and Tenetra, constitutes one
of the most important mountain areas of the Marche. With the
neighbouring Mts. Petrano and Nerone, Mt. Catria is one of the largest
limestone anticlines of the Umbro Marchigiano Apennine, a mountainous
chain running NW-SE, formed under the tectonic thrust which first folded
and then rapidly raised the layers which formed the bottom of primordial
seas.
For a thrilling visual testimony to these powerful movements, look to the South from the foot of the Montagnola (Mt. Nerone). On the heights of the Catria Massif, overcreep has causes the layers of the more ancient rock to surface, Massif limestone, Flint Limestone also called Corniola, Ammonite Red and Aptychi limestone, all deposited in a marine environment from the end of the Triassic Age to the end of the Jurassic Age (Mesozoic or Secondary Era) and which were followed by the younger Rocky limestone or Maiolica (Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous periods), Fucoid Marl and Red and White Scaglia, deposited in a period which goes from the Cretaceous period (Secondary era) to the Eocene period (Tertiary or Caenozoic era).
Mt. Catria - the “gibbo” immortalised by Dante - the highest of the
Pesarese Apennines, reaches an altitude of 1,701 mt and covers the
mountainous and hilly high plains. Below 900 metres, the landscape is
characterised by copse mainly consisting in hop-hornbeam and manna ash,
with neapolitan maple and downy oak, which fit the typical orno-ostrieto
structure. Above 900 metres, the landscape is marked by mixed beech
woods populated by mountain maple, whitebeam, holly and yew. The higher
slopes of Mt. Catria give us monumental examples of uncontaminated beech
woods like that of
Cupaie e di Fonte del Faggio.
The fauna is dominated by the eagle, which soars the skies thrilling the
excursionists with its majesty and, in return, asks only to be left in
peace; here we also find the Peregrine Falcon and the Honey Buzzard,
while sightings of the Greek Partridge are rare. The red-billed choughs
living here are the northernmost colony of the Apennines.
On the ground, in addition to the more common mammals, the forests and
glades offer cover to wild boar, fallow deer and a few specimens of
mouflon (wild sheep), introduced into the area and well acclimated over
the years.
Of particular interest and importance are the plant species growing on the rocky slopes, screes and stone meadows of the Catria Range where the Marche Region has instituted eleven protected floristic reserves. We note, for their rarity, the Pimpinellifolia Rose (Scotch rose) and Ephedra (Ephedra major), a paleoendemism of the Caenozoic Era which grow in the crags of Mt. Catria.
The grasslands are mostly used for grazing and are almost all of secondary origin, obtained through deforesting. Springtime brings with it the breathtaking scenario of brightly blossoming flowers spettacolo della natura
The passing of the weeks is accompanied by a succession of blooms – violets, primrose, gentianella, narcissus, buttercups and countless orchids - in a panoply of colours. The meadows of Mt. Tenetra, Bocca della Valle and Infilatoio turn into inviting carpets of inebriating colours and fragrances.
The many trails marked in a trail map of Mt. Catria can be reached from Cantiano, Pontedazzo and Chiaserna and will take you on relaxing walks through hills and grasslands. The area is bountiful in spring water and shelters where the hiker can rest to free mind and spirit surrounded by breathtaking panoramas.
The Sentiero Italia (The Grand Italian Trail)
The section of the Sentiero Italia which passes through Mts. Catria
and Nerone has been described as one of the most interesting stretches
of the entire Apennine route.
It enters into the territory of Cantiano at Moria and rises towards Mt.
Petrano. After reaching the summit, it descends towards Cagli, where it
changes directions and continues along the heights of the slopes of the
Burano Valley and then back into the territory of Cantiano, as it passes
through the village of Pontedazzo. This part of the Sentiero Italia is
divided into three stretches, Pontedazzo-Cantiano, Cantiano-Chiaserna,
Chiaserna-Infilatoio. The third is definitely the most interesting
route: from Chiaserna it rises up the slope of Mt. Acuto, through
thickets of broom, juniper and downy oak. The first stop is Fonte Luca,
a perennial spring of cool water. Continuing the climb, we reach Bocca
della Valle, a panoramic spot not far from the Casetta dei Mochi shelter.
From here the picturesque crossing of Mt. Acuto begins, as it crosses
flowering glades and centuries hold beech woods until you reach the
Faggio spring and finally the Infilatoio meadows where the trail leaves
the territory of Cantiano.
