Gola della Rossa and Frasassi: the wild heart of the Marche region

If when you think of red, tall, spectacular canyons, only the American hinterland comes to mind, then you are making a mistake. In the heart of the Marche region, in fact, the protected area of the Gola della Rossa and Frasassi extends, an intertwining of canyons, limestone cliffs, and millenary caves. The Gola Rossa is dominated by Monte Murano, and the Gola di Frasassi is carved by the Sentino River, which has given life to one of the most beautiful masterpieces in Europe.

The Frasassi Caves are an underground complex of over 30 km of tunnels. The Sala Duecento (Room 200) is so large that it could contain the Duomo of Milan. Furthermore, looking around inside the cave, you will notice stalactites and stalagmites in every corner. But the experience does not end underground, where a wonderful environment will certainly be found, but also outside, where dozens of hiking trails wind through sheer walls and many forests, including the Frasassi Trekking route. On this route, there is also the possibility of visiting the Tempietto di Valadier, which is a small neoclassical church nestled inside a cave. It looks like a temple straight out of a Lara Croft video game.

A little gem is that the largest hypogean hall in Europe was discovered in the park, so much so that NASA collaborated to study it because it is very similar to lunar landscapes. Furthermore, many sections have not yet been explored, and this gives the caves a much more mysterious aura.

The Gola Rossa di Frasassi offers a journey through geological wonders, whether you want to venture among the rocks, discover mysterious caves, or touch points never explored by humans.

cover photo credits Kristina Drozd / Shutterstock.com