Grotte di Val de’ Varri

Useful Information

Location:	02024 Leofreni, Province of Rieti. North of Pietrasecca. Follow SP25 north to Leofreni, turn right at the city limits. From the parking lot at the road 30 minutes walk to the cave entrance. (42.19044475859373, 13.137123636358707)
Open:	JUN Sun 10, 11:30, 15, 16:30. JUL Sat, Sun 10, 11:30, 15, 16:30. AUG daily (9), 10, 11:30, 15, 16:30. SEP Sat, Sun 10, 11:30, 15, 16:30. [2021]
Fee:	Adults EUR 12, Children (2-11) EUR 8. Groups (12+): Adults EUR 10, Children (0-11) EUR 7. [2021]
Classification:	Karst Cave
Light:	Incandescent
Dimension:	L=1,800m, T=8 °C.
Guided tours:	D=90 min, St=250, MinAge=2.
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Grotte di Val de’ Varri, Località Val de 'Varri, 02024 Pescorocchiano, Tel: +39-340-494-9628, WhatsApp: +39-328-026-4604. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1929	first exploration.
1997	archaeological excavation promoted by the Superintendence for archaeological heritage of Lazio in collaboration with the Municipality of Pescorocchiano.
2003	opened to the public.

Description

The Grotte di Val de’ Varri is a rather young show cave, inaugurated only in 2003. It is the huge swallow hole of the rain water from the plateau, which first forms a gorge named Pontella, then enters the cave. It was known under the name Inghiottitoio di Val de 'Varri. The water reappears at the resurgence near Civitella, in the Laoleana depression, after 2 km underground and 80 m deeper. The walk to the cave is rather short and more or less level, but you should plan 30 minutes, as the gorge is quite a sight.

During the 90 minutes regular tour at first the left branch is visited, which is where the river flows. In this active passage numerous archaeological remains of the Middle Bronze Age were found. They included fragments made of ceramic, flint, metal and bones. The findings are now in the Pigorini archaeological museum in Rome. The trail ends at the site of the archaeological excavations. After returning from this passage, the right fossil branch is visited up to the “Salone della Confluenza”. The trails and railings are elevated and made of stainless steel. There are 260 steps, which are walked down and then back up.

It is possible to make different cave trekking tours of up to five hours. They start at the end of the show cave at the “Salone della Confluenza”. The trips are offered for groups of four to eight people. Participants are equipped with a helmet and a headlamp. You should bring appropriate clothe which might get dirty and walking shoes or gum boots. Physical fitness and surefootedness are necessary, but no special caving or climbing skills. Bring clothes to change, a towel, and a plastic bag for the dirty clothes.