Stage 18 · Avezzano → Subiaco
- Distance
- 77 km
- Elevation gain
- 710 m D+
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Surface
- 94% asphalt, 6% gravel · 2% on cycle routes
- Terrain
- Simbruini Mountains
- Hospitality
- Monastery
GPX 1.1 file with the track, elevation and the abbeys as waypoints. Tracks are calculated on real roads and cycle routes (OpenStreetMap): check them on the ground before you set off.
Stage map
Map of the stage Avezzano → Subiaco: track, start, finish, places to stay and abbeys
Hover the profile to see the spot on the map
Tracks calculated on real roads and cycle paths (OpenStreetMap); elevations from SRTM data — to be checked on the ground
Main climb: 3.3 km at 5.9% (up to 957 m)
Other climb: 4.7 km at 3.7% (up to 523 m)
This stage on Komoot
The same track is on the project's Komoot profile: save it in the app and ride it with voice navigation.
Overview
A crucial mountain stage from Avezzano across the Simbruini Mountains to Subiaco: the last great wild traverse of the pilgrimage, towards the Benedictine monasteries of the Aniene valley.
Notes from the road
From Avezzano the road points straight toward Tagliacozzo, cars passing close and fast. Better to stay wide and visible on that stretch. Past Carsoli the landscape turns wilder, the woods of the Simbruini closing the horizon. Subiaco arrives narrow in its gorge, with the two monasteries waiting above.
What to see
Fucino plain, medieval Tagliacozzo, Simbruini passes, dense beech forests, plateaux of Camporotondo and Monte Livata, springs of the Aniene, monasteries of Subiaco above the gorge
Where to sleep
Subiaco: Santa Scolastica guesthouse (€37 B&B – €60 full board, monastic hospitality), small hotels (55-85€), B&Bs (50-80€)
Where to eat
Mountain cooking: Aniene trout, porcini mushrooms, simple cheeses, pulses, monastery meals (if staying at the guesthouse)
Tips
A demanding stage (710m gain), on wild, remote terrain. Full preparation and supplies essential. The pass is Colli di Montebove, above 1,200 m: the descent to Carsoli is steep with tight hairpins, take it easy.
Water & supplies
Bars in Tagliacozzo and Carsoli, at mid-stage; fountains in the villages. The pass towards the Piani del Cavaliere is windy, with few services for about 15 km; patchy coverage in the wooded Simbruini sections. From Arsoli to Subiaco, the quiet Aniene valley.
Places to stay on this stage
- Foresteria del Monastero di Santa Scolasticaguesthouse
Subiaco (RM)- Price:
- from ~€37 (B&B) to ~€60 (full board), to be checked
- Open:
- year-round (tel. 0774 85569)
- Facilities:
- 50 rooms / 105 beds, all en suite, restaurant, private parking, grounds, chapel; hospitality for the Cammino di San Benedetto
- Source:
- https://benedettini-subiaco.org/foresteria/ · https://www.foresteria-subiaco.com/en/hospitality/
The great Benedictine guesthouse beside the monastery of Santa Scolastica, end of the stage from the Monti Simbruini: the route's quintessential monastic night.
Abbeys on this stage
- Finish abbey: Monastero S. Benedetto (Subiaco)
An amateur, non-profit project. The tracks are indicative: everyone rides independently, at their own risk.