NATURALISTIC ITINERARY
An interesting itinerary in the territory of San Luca is the one that unfolds near Pietra Cappa, particularly around the recently explored waterfalls. A local association offers guided tours.
"Destined to become a true extension of the visit to the largest monolith in Europe, the waterfalls of Pietra Cappa have recently been fully explored. The hope is that they too receive the proper recognition from the expected outcome that will grant this splendid National Park the title of Geopark. Thus, they will find a true place within the majestic route of the valley of the great stones, where the already numerous geosites attract thousands of visitors every year.
These waterfalls are fed by a long watercourse called Vallone Salice at the top, but further downstream, it is better known as the Ferolla stream. It descends to the left of the town of San Luca, joining the more famous Santa Venere stream. Vallone del Salice actually features about three or four falls, all very beautiful but of little interest from the torrential point of view as they are far apart. However, the most accessible and particularly evocative for the shapes and morphology it displays is precisely this one; "u skicciu du rimitu" in the local dialect, The Hermit's waterfall.
The hike is minimal from the San Giorgio toll booth and showcases other wonders like century-old trees along the ridge that reaches the stream. A bit of attention during the descent, and upon reaching the streambed, a small canyon appears, just touched, indicating the section to climb. A few hundred meters to see and hear the small waterfall enclosed in this rock casket.
It is poignant, touching, deserving of the name it has probably received due to its proximity to the hermits of the rocks of San Pietro and the entire valley, which, as we know, was once an area of settlements for Basilian monks. Inside the millennia-old carved stretch, which shows a very open cave, there is an almost therapeutic air, and the characteristic shape seems to produce almost rhythmic sounds that clearly derive from the roar of the waters.
If alone, the place induces silence and meditation, impossible when in a group not to be caught by joy. The energy released by the waters becomes a real temptation, and in the summer, it will be impossible not to take a dip. The gravel at the bottom of the pool shows, at certain hours, especially when the sun's rays filter into the cave, an emerald green color that further increases the desire to enjoy this incredible place in front of this waterfall."