Hiking

Salto del Cieco – the border walk

This is the walk we point people to when they want a mountain outing that isn’t a full expedition – a short, high, view-heavy stroll from Polino, the smallest comune in Terni province, out toward the historic border of the Papal States. The name – “the blind man’s leap” – comes with the kind of local legend these frontier places collect.

Facts checked: July 2026. A short mountain walk from Polino with a story attached – the old edge of the Papal States. We’ve confirmed the walk and its setting; the notes below are the honest general picture rather than a measured survey.

The border story

For centuries the ridgeline in these mountains was a real political frontier – the edge of the Papal States – which meant customs, smuggling and brigand tales along it. Walking out to it is a way of standing on a border that no longer exists on any map. Background on the frontier is on our history hub.

The walk — honestly

It’s known as an easy walk of roughly an hour and a half from the Polino area – the kind of thing you can do before lunch. It’s a short, easy-to-moderate mountain walk – the kind of outing that suits a picnic rather than a strenuous climb.

Picnic logistics

There’s little or nothing to buy up here, so bring what you need from Polino or the valley. It pairs naturally with Polino itself and the wider adventure cluster in the valley. Polino →

Frequently asked questions