Where Time Stands Still: The Magic of the Gran Sasso, the Ruzzo Waterfalls, and the Hermitage of Santa Colomba

Discover the authentic nature of Abruzzo

Experience the untouched beauty of the Valle del Ruzzo, a hidden gem at the foot of the Gran Sasso d’Italia. Explore the Ruzzo Waterfalls and the Hermitage of Santa Colomba, following panoramic mountain trails surround

ed by crystal-clear waters, ancient legends, and a timeless atmosphere of peace and spirituality.

If you’re dreaming of a perfect day in nature, this is one of the most fascinating hikes in the Gran Sasso area — a journey through a land of saints, hermits, ancient fortresses, forests, and roaring waterfalls.

The Ruzzo Valley: water, history, and wild beauty

The Ruzzo stream is the lifeblood of this vast, green valley, once part of the Ancient Agrarian University of Pagliara. It’s famous for its stunning waterfalls — the Costa dei Baroni Waterfall, the Mescatore Waterfall, and the Vena Roscia (Red Vein).

One of the highlights of the hike is the Mescatore Waterfall, also known as Pisciarellone, a spectacular 23-meter drop that springs from the Peschio source, fed by six smaller springs high on Mount Prena.

Along the trail, you’ll walk among clear waters, tiny brooks, and breathtaking mountain views. The path leads up to Colle Petrino (1,010 m), where the ruins of the Counts of Pagliara’s ancient stronghold overlook the vast eastern slopes of the Gran Sasso. From here, the northern face of Mount Camicia towers like a guardian over the valley.

According to local legends, a network of mysterious caves lies beneath these ruins — once used as secret passageways connecting the lower villages, and perhaps as escape routes during medieval times. The place still breathes an air of mystery, surrounded by stories of courage, faith, and hidden treasures.

From this panoramic point, the view extends across the entire eastern Gran Sasso massif — from Mount Camicia to Corno Grande, even reaching the Sibillini and Gemelli Mountains to the north on clear days.

How to reach the Ruzzo Waterfalls

From Isola del Gran Sasso, head toward Pretara. At the first crossroads, turn right onto an unpaved road and continue until you reach a bridge over the Ruzzo River.To the left of the bridge, a small trail leads into the forest and soon opens onto the majestic waterfalls.

Returning to the bridge, you can continue by car to Piane del Fiume. After a spring, take the path on the left that climbs toward the Hermitage of Santa Colomba (see below).

Before reaching the small church, a short detour to the left reveals another extraordinary sight — a series of waterfalls flowing through reddish rock known as Fossaceca or Vena Rossa (“Red Vein”), named for its characteristic hue. This is the highest waterfall along the Ruzzo stream, forming a 16-meter drop between 1,009 and 993 meters.

Finally, the Costa dei Baroni Waterfall, although smaller in height, offers wonderful scenic and natural beauty. It’s the easiest to reach — located at about 800 meters above sea level, just above the bridge on the road from Pretara to Piane del Fiume.

Because the area is still relatively untouched, it’s home to abundant wildlife — including deer, roe deer, wolves, foxes, wild boar, and even the majestic golden eagle.

Trail Information – Ruzzo Waterfalls Hike

• Difficulty: E (Hiking)

• Route length: 8 km (semi-loop)

• Elevation gain: 400 m

• Duration: 5–6 hours (including breaks)

🕊️ The Hermitage of Santa Colomba

From Pretara, in the Piane del Fiume area, a well-marked trail climbs through forests of fir and beech toward the Hermitage of Santa Colomba, one of the most mystical places in the Gran Sasso region.

Santa Colomba, daughter of the noble Counts of Pagliara, is a rare example of a female hermit in medieval Italy — a spiritual figure who symbolizes the strength and devotion of the people of Abruzzo.

Born around the year 1100, probably in the Castle of Pagliara, she abandoned her noble life at a young age to live in solitude and prayer. She withdrew to a cave at 1,234 meters above sea level, at the foot of Mount Santa Colomba, beneath the rugged Towers of Casanova.

She died in the winter of 1116, at just sixteen years old, after enduring the harsh mountain conditions. Her brother, Bishop Berardo, later built a small chapel — the current hermitage — on the site of her cave and tomb. It was consecrated in 1216 by Saint Athanasius, Bishop of Penne.

Legends of Santa Colomba

Local tradition still preserves several moving legends connected to her life:

• The Comb of Santa Colomba: A mark on the rock near her cave is said to be the imprint of the comb she used to brush her long hair.

• The Handprint: A visible hand-shaped imprint on the rock is believed to have been left by Colomba as she climbed the steep path.

• The Miraculous Hole: Beneath the altar of the small chapel, a tiny opening allows devotees to place their heads inside, a gesture believed to bring healing.

Trail Information – Hermitage of Santa Colomba

• Length: 6 km

• Elevation gain: 400 m

• Difficulty: E (Moderate/Easy Hiking)

🌿 A Journey Through Nature, Faith, and Silence

Exploring the Ruzzo Valley and the Hermitage of Santa Colomba is more than a hike — it’s a journey through centuries of history, spirituality, and the wild, unspoiled nature of the Gran Sasso National Park.Here, amid the sound of rushing water and whispering forests, time truly seems to stand still.