A Quiet Hike on Subasio

Many Assisi visitors are introduced to Mount Subasio by paying a visit to the Eremo delle Carceri or walking segments of trails close to town. Others set out, when the weather allows, for a hike to the summit. Lesser known trails lead to remoter and quieter parts of the mountain. A clear April morning with mild temperatures and low winds provided a chance to explore forests, trails, and old dirt roads on the far side of Subasio, above the towns of Armenzano and San Giovanni.
After an early visit to the tranquil Eremo, it was on up to the Stazzi area before leaving the dirt road that leads to the summit for a lesser path that followed the tree line before dropping a bit into the forest.

One never knows what one may see when walking on Subasio. For example, in a remote area one may come across picnic tables, not of a recent vintage.

Or wildflowers, very new to the scene.

Or wonderful views, weather permitting.

After following a higher route for a couple of hours, it was time to drop to a lower elevation to pick up a passable dirt road heading back in the direction of Stazzi and the Eremo. Soon Armenzano came into view in the distance.

The wildflowers have been late this year, but plenty were decorating the sides of this road.

Here, above the hamlet of Costa di Trex, was an area of taller trees.

Some interesting ruins, perhaps dating back centuries.

And another bunch of wildflowers.

For those who enjoy solitude, this was a near perfect walk. I encountered but one other walker on the way up to the Eremo, then no hikers for about six hours until close to arriving back in Assisi. Passed by some workers clearing brush, but that was about it. As for vehicle traffic, none from Assisi's Porta Cappuccini up to the Eremo, none between the Eremo and Stazzi, and none on any of Subasio's old dirt roads and trails. There's something to be said for starting out early and heading off the well trod paths.
Ciao.