15. Castiglione – Altopiano del Rascino

Discovering ancient castles
Today few remains testify to the ancient presence of imposing castles placed to defend important access points along the border between the Kingdom of Naples and the Papal State. In this stage we have two examples of fortified structures at the beginning and end of the route. The first, that of Sant'Angelo di Castiglione was destroyed by a popular uprising and then rebuilt after 1360, the latter is already abandoned in 1300.

Description of the Path
The route, starting from Casale Calabrese, takes us to the Piana di Rascino with wide views in the first part of the route on the pastures, cultivations and former cultivations of Castiglione. After the ridge you go down through the beech wood until you reach the asphalt road that leads to the splendid plateau of Rascino. From here we climb again through old and new silvicultural cuts, until we discover the plain and the spurs of Monte Nuria. The lake and the surrounding area are included in the homonymous SIC "Piana di Rascino".

The lake and the man
In the plain, for a few years, the organic cultivation of lentil and spelled has resumed.
Pastoralism is still developed and annually, on the last Sunday of July, the Ovine Exhibition takes place. The source, which feeds the springs and the lake, is support to all the anthropic activities of the karst plateau and feeds the springs and the aqueduct of the Peschiera that supply the city of Rome. In the lake it is possible to fish by means of the type B fishing license and a daily permit specifically issued in some commercial establishments of the area or directly on site by the guard, the species present for fishing are: Pike, Tench and Carp.