The best MTB trails around Rocca Santo Stefano

A short detour to take on foot to admire a beautiful waterfall on the Aniene River

This mill, built by Benedictine monks around the year 1000, was a fundamental point of reference for the inhabitants of the town and the surrounding areas. For centuries, people brought grain here to be ground, relying on the power of the water that, even today, flows clear and abundant. Today, all that remains of the Mola are the sturdy walls and the room where the milling took place, immersed in an almost fairy-tale landscape. All around, the river makes its way through moss and waterfalls, creating water games and reflections of light that make the atmosphere magical, especially in the early hours of the morning or at sunset. It is easy to let your imagination run wild and think about what life here must have been like once upon a time, with the noise of the millstones and the smell of freshly baked bread that spread through the houses of Jenne. The Vecchia Mola is not only a place of historical memory, but also an oasis of uncontaminated nature. In the surrounding area there are crystalline springs, such as that of the Cardellino, and paths that invite you to explore woods, caves and small waterfalls. Traveling along these routes, you often meet hikers, families and nature lovers, all attracted by the simple and authentic beauty of this corner of Lazio.

The Sorgente del Cardellino is one of the most evocative springs of the upper course of the Aniene, located in the territory of the Simbruini Mountains Park, between Jenne and Trevi nel Lazio. This spring flows from a travertine rock completely covered in moss, creating an environment of great naturalistic charm. Along the path that crosses this part of the valley you will also find the Sorgente delle Tartare and the Cascata del Cardellino, which together form one of the most beautiful and uncontaminated landscapes of Lazio. The path that leads to the Sorgente del Cardellino is flat and also suitable for inexperienced hikers, allowing you to admire the richness of water and vegetation typical of mountain areas. The area is also famous for the presence of fauna such as the brown trout and numerous species of birds, including the goldfinch, which probably gives its name to the spring itself.

Magnificent area for traveling by bike but also for a single outing. Impressive nature, thanks to the presence of rivers. Nature expresses all its beauty. The waterfalls are music to the ears of those who know how to enjoy nature, where the flat water creates beaches to be experienced in complete relaxation.

Cycling along the path of San Benedetto, it is worth a very short detour of just over a hundred meters to enjoy the spectacle of this beautiful waterfall.

These are the ruins of Nero's villa, on the road that goes from Subiaco towards the Benedictine monasteries.

Well preserved and maintained, there is a picnic area that is excellent for a food break and a nap.

The river Aniene passes underneath it