canyon exploring with Michele Angileri

Fosso della Matassa

News
Canyons by area

Lazio
Abruzzo
Umbria
Marche
Tuscany
Molise
Campania
Basilicata
Calabria
Sardegna

Guidebook: I canyon del Lazio (italian language)
Ultralight ropes canyoning technique
Which canyoning?
Home

The abandoned village called Scoppio stands in a well defendable position, perched on a rock (the Scoppio) amidst the valleys of two normally dry streams that come together at the foot of the cliff. They are the two branches of Fosso della Matassa.
You arrive at Scoppio after some kilometers of dirt roads, almost deserted. The village welcomes you with the silence or the breath of breeze, and the beautiful view of the mountains of Umbria and the woods on the steep sides of the valley below. While walking through the remains of the village (the ancient walls, the church, some ruined house) you enjoy peace and beauty. It's worth coming here, no matter if you don't know that the two valleys below are actually two gorges.
But if you know it, you can also enjoy the nice dryfalls and the corridors of Fosso della Matassa canyon. And this surely makes the day more complete.

Name	Fosso della Matassa
Area	Umbria
Nearest village	Acquasparta
Elevation loss	120 m
Length	500 m - 750 m
Highest cascade	12 m
Rock	Limestone, pink scaglia
Rating	2
Shuttle	No
Explored by	???

I remember ...

Known since the '90s, the gorges of Fosso della Matassa have been traveled by skilled canyoneers as well as by beginners, coming from Italy and other countries.
However, they are still solitary gorges, a place where the only sounds you hear are your steps on the gravel bed and the breeze blowing through the trees.