FRASSITELLI TO BOSCO DELLA FALANGA WALK
Latest update: 19 March 2022
FRASSITELLI TO BOSCO DELLA FALANGA WALK
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The walk into the woods of Frassitelli and Falanga is an enchanting experience mixing beautiful landscapes, nature, tranquility and history.
The woods are located 600 metress above sea level on the western side of the island and the trek allows visitors to enjoy the incredible view of the whole town of Forio from Punta Imperatore and Poseidon Thermal Gardens to San Francesco Bay.
The trek is a walk into a fairy tale world made of stone-houses rising among centuries-old chestnut trees. These impressive structures are huge blocks of typical Ischia green tufa-stone, fallen from the peak of Mount Epomeo thousands of years ago and now standing in the middle of the meadow.
For centuries, farmers dug and carved these rocks using them as temporary houses during the harvest or as cellars, adjusting them in the most comfortable way with stone benches, fireplaces, wells for water, windows and wooden doors, in perfect harmony with nature. Some stone houses still hold a tiny chapel on the wall where a sacred image or a wooden cross was put for protection.
Along with the stone-houses it is possible to spot the “Fosse della neve” (snow pits), deep, large pits in the ground where farmers used to collect snow and hail during winter to be used later on in the summer.
It is documented that the woods and the stone houses were inhabited since the 15th century, maybe due to the danger and the lack of safety of the island's coastal areas which were regularly attacked by pirates. People started to move inland into the woods, farming the lands and growing vines to produce grapes, thanks also to the particularly fertile soil on that side of the island.
After some centuries though, the stone houses and the wood started to be abandoned due the difficulty of carrying on farming in such a difficult territory and the wild wood started to grow back again.
Today, from the Falanga and Frassitelli woods it is possible to take different trekking paths, reaching different points of the island such as Mount Epomeo, Piazza Maio in Casamicciola or Via Borbonica and Via Bocca in Forio.
We suggest taking the path leading towards Forio to Santa Maria al Monte and on to Via Bocca, that has been recently signed path number 501 with the red and white mark of the CAI association (Club Alpino Italiano).
The walk can start from restaurant Il Bracconiere in Serrara Fontana (Via Falanga 1). If you don’t have a car, you can reach the cemetery of Serrara Fontana by public bus, allowing for a 30 minutes walk up to the restaurant.
From just outside Il Bracconiere, follow the path in front of you until you reach a crossing with a sign indicating “Pietra dell’acqua and Mount Epomeo” on the right. Take the path on the left instead and after few minutes you will find yourself in a wonderful green field with Forio town visible down below on your left and the mountain up on your right.
Keep walking straight ahead, following the red and white marks on the rocks to reach the woods of Falanga and a wide field where different stone houses are located, not too far from each other.
At one point, you will find a rock with different layers on the top, resembling huge steps, turn left following the red & white signs and start the descent toward Santa Maria al Monte with its beautiful white church (also carved out of stone) until you’ll find yourself on a tarmac road which is Via Bocca.
Duration: 4 hours
Level of difficulty: medium
Silvana Coppa
The woods are located 600 metress above sea level on the western side of the island and the trek allows visitors to enjoy the incredible view of the whole town of Forio from Punta Imperatore and Poseidon Thermal Gardens to San Francesco Bay.
The trek is a walk into a fairy tale world made of stone-houses rising among centuries-old chestnut trees. These impressive structures are huge blocks of typical Ischia green tufa-stone, fallen from the peak of Mount Epomeo thousands of years ago and now standing in the middle of the meadow.
For centuries, farmers dug and carved these rocks using them as temporary houses during the harvest or as cellars, adjusting them in the most comfortable way with stone benches, fireplaces, wells for water, windows and wooden doors, in perfect harmony with nature. Some stone houses still hold a tiny chapel on the wall where a sacred image or a wooden cross was put for protection.
Along with the stone-houses it is possible to spot the “Fosse della neve” (snow pits), deep, large pits in the ground where farmers used to collect snow and hail during winter to be used later on in the summer.
It is documented that the woods and the stone houses were inhabited since the 15th century, maybe due to the danger and the lack of safety of the island's coastal areas which were regularly attacked by pirates. People started to move inland into the woods, farming the lands and growing vines to produce grapes, thanks also to the particularly fertile soil on that side of the island.
After some centuries though, the stone houses and the wood started to be abandoned due the difficulty of carrying on farming in such a difficult territory and the wild wood started to grow back again.
Today, from the Falanga and Frassitelli woods it is possible to take different trekking paths, reaching different points of the island such as Mount Epomeo, Piazza Maio in Casamicciola or Via Borbonica and Via Bocca in Forio.
We suggest taking the path leading towards Forio to Santa Maria al Monte and on to Via Bocca, that has been recently signed path number 501 with the red and white mark of the CAI association (Club Alpino Italiano).
The walk can start from restaurant Il Bracconiere in Serrara Fontana (Via Falanga 1). If you don’t have a car, you can reach the cemetery of Serrara Fontana by public bus, allowing for a 30 minutes walk up to the restaurant.
From just outside Il Bracconiere, follow the path in front of you until you reach a crossing with a sign indicating “Pietra dell’acqua and Mount Epomeo” on the right. Take the path on the left instead and after few minutes you will find yourself in a wonderful green field with Forio town visible down below on your left and the mountain up on your right.
Keep walking straight ahead, following the red and white marks on the rocks to reach the woods of Falanga and a wide field where different stone houses are located, not too far from each other.
At one point, you will find a rock with different layers on the top, resembling huge steps, turn left following the red & white signs and start the descent toward Santa Maria al Monte with its beautiful white church (also carved out of stone) until you’ll find yourself on a tarmac road which is Via Bocca.
Duration: 4 hours
Level of difficulty: medium
Silvana Coppa
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