LEPINI, CIRCEO AND ZANNONE
AN EXTRAORDINARY TERRITORY The Lepini mountains are a natural biotope, of important environmental interest, with a presence of biodiversity which is among the most significant in the country. The landscape which has been marked by the karst phenomena, with expanses of woods populated by rich fauna and other peaks covered by lush vegetation, is an element which characterizes the entire territory of the Lepini mountains. The vast and striking mountain area offers many possibilities to hikers: natural itineraries and pilgrim’s routes to be discovered on foot, by climbing, horse riding, mountain biking, and speleology and a series of activities which are carried out in contact with the unspoilt nature of the Lepini Mountains. The whole area enjoys an important presence of natural resources including the testimony of relevant historical-monumental and cultural artefacts. A complex territory whose historical and archaeological aspects merge into its agricultural, silvicultural peculiarities and its characteristic food and wine production, together with the enchanting beauty of the renaissance and medieval cities of art with thousands of years of traditions. The ‘Compagnia dei Lepini’, aims to promote the territorial system at a tourist level from both a common sustainable and eco-compatible perspective. We have been moving in this direction for a long time, and in this perspective, the institution of the Regional Park of the Lepini mountains has been strategic as a means of governance which is necessary to consolidate the territorial system and to give impulse to an integrated development, which is truly sustainable for our communities. In the territory, for its peculiarities and for the huge environmental heritage present, a new model of development must be increasingly asserted, to combine the protection and promotion of the environment. This publication introduces the Lepini area to the Circeo and Zannone area in an original di-
10
gression in which the classic paths have been described efficiently together with the ones which are not as popular or have been forgotten. The guide motivates us to follow these hikes which lead us to discover an extraordinary territory due to the beauty of its wild nature. Walking across the Lepini mountains along its most popular peaks like Semprevisa, Monte Malaina and Monte Gemma but, also, touching areas which are less popular along tourist itineraries like Parentile, Colle Illirio, Campo Lupino, Perrone, il Corvo and the very long Translepini becomes an exercise in “dynamic meditation”. The itineraries, which lead us to Circeo help us discover a treasure chest of biodiversity in which unique landscapes are contained which are very different amongst themselves: dunes, forest, promontory, the humid areas and the islands. The mountain of the legendary sorceress Circe, which Homer mentions, is the true symbol of the territory, still integrated in naturalistic terms and looked after since 1934 by the Circeo National Park. In addition, a census has been conducted on all the mountain huts-bivouacs of the entire Lepini and Circeo area. In the guide book 67 itineraries have been described and in each one precious information on the beauty of the area, difficulty, vertical height gain, total time and other useful information for hikers have been included. This book gives back a territory in which the signs of nature and the outlines of history push us into immersing ourselves in the rediscovery of the beautiful and exciting itineraries with breath-taking scenery, between the Circeo sea and the peaks of the Lepini mountains, this is an experience which in no way should be missed! Quirino Briganti President of the ‘Compagnia dei Lepini’
