The Acquacheta Waterfalls – Portico and San Benedetto walking tour

The Acquacheta is the most important tributary of the Montone and, before reaching San Benedetto in Alpe, it makes a leap of over 70 meters, forming the waterfall of the same name. Described by Dante in the 16th canto of the Inferno, it can only be reached by hiking up the valley for a couple of hours, reaching, just above the waterfall, the charming Piana dei Romiti with the ruins of the ancient village.

The starting point is San Benedetto in Alpe, a mountain village in Romagna at 485 meters above sea level. Head towards the state road and, once you have crossed the bridge over the Fosso Acqua Cheta, take the path that runs along the stream. You arrive in a beautiful alder wood, the landscape in some places looks like a painting, a work of art. The path is perfectly signposted, it is part of the ‘Sentieri Natura’ of the National Park and it never diverges from the watercourse. Along the way there are 10 resting and observation points. After passing the old building called Ca’ del Rospo, a steep climb begins that leads up to the old Mulino dei Romiti, a stopping point. It is less than 1 km to the waterfall, but this is the most challenging stretch that, with a series of up and down steps, finally leads to the destination. The thunderous sound of the water announces the waterfall, which appears in all its beauty and majesty, with a height of 70 m and a water width that reaches up to 30 m. The spectacle of nature, in its radiant beauty, repays the effort; you can rest on the benches at the same spot where even Dante stopped to observe the waterfall.

More experienced hikers can continue to the top of the waterfall, on the high alluvial plateau of the Romiti. Not far from the waterfall is the Lavane waterfall, which forms a wonderful natural green pool that invites visitors to bathe and find cool refreshment in fine weather. In a few minutes you can reach the plateau to observe the ruins of the Hermitage that belonged to the Abbey of San Benedetto in Alpe. The goal of the hike has been reached. The return is made along the same route as the outward journey, the total time of the outing is 3 hours.

The walk offers a brief escape from reality, offering fairytale-like views, far from the chaos of the city, in an enchanted-looking forest. At every step you feel true communion with nature: silence is only broken by the roar of the water or the rustle of the wind through the branches, you can hear the birds singing and the woodpecker’s ticking on the wood.