La Mangialonga

A walk you can taste

La Mangialonga in Rocca di Papa is a non-competitive food and wine stroll that takes place every June, traversing the woodland trails of the local area. This is not a race: there are no stopwatches or rankings, just a collective walk of moderate difficulty where every stop is a feast for the senses. The event's dialect name, «Camminenno e magnenno», says it all: you walk and you eat, alternating the slow pace of the forest with the pleasure of the Castelli Romani's culinary products.

Rocca di Papa, the balcony of the Castelli Romani

We are in the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, in the heart of Lazio, just over thirty kilometers from the capital. Rocca di Papa is perched on the slopes of Monte Cavo, within the Castelli Romani Regional Park, overlooking Lake Albano and the Roman countryside. Its medieval historic center, the Bavaria district with its steep alleys, the chestnut and beech forests, and the archaeological remains of the Via Sacra that once led to the sanctuary of Jupiter Latiaris create a landscape that the Mangialonga allows you to explore on foot, slowly, just as in days gone by.

The route and the stops

The trail winds along the paths and mule tracks of the municipality, touching sites such as the Via Sacra and the Grotticelle area, alternating between woodland stretches, clearings, and panoramic terraces. Along the way, several food stations are set up, managed by local volunteers and associations, serving local specialties: from the starting breakfast to the final dessert.

• Moderate difficulty route on natural and dirt paths
• Strollers are not recommended and are effectively impractical on the trail
• Sportswear and hiking shoes are highly recommended
• Multiple refreshment stops with typical Castelli Romani dishes and local wines
• Morning meeting point in Piazza della Repubblica, in the center of Rocca di Papa

The cuisine of the Castelli Romani

The deep meaning of the event is the promotion of local agri-food products. The stalls along the route feature the simple, flavorful peasant cuisine of this part of Lazio: simply dressed pasta, grilled meats, porchetta, cheeses and ricottas from Lazio's pastures, homemade bread, and traditional desserts. To accompany them, the white wines of the Castelli, which for centuries have defined the identity of the local taverns and fraschette. This is not fine dining, but identity-driven gastronomy: what the land produces, served right in the land itself.

Who organizes it

The event is organized by the Pro Loco Città di Rocca di Papa with the patronage of the Municipal Administration and the Castelli Romani Regional Park, and with the support of Arsial and the Lazio Region. It is an entirely volunteer-run effort: the members of the Pro Loco and local associations map the route, set up the stations, and serve at the makeshift tables in the woods. This participatory spirit is what, edition after edition, has helped the event grow, surpassing its twentieth anniversary in 2025.

An event for families and hikers

La Mangialonga does not require special athletic preparation, but it is a several-hour walk on natural terrain: it is suitable for families with children who can walk independently, groups of friends, and those who love gentle hiking. The participation fee, always kept affordable, includes tastings along the entire route. Places are limited and sell out well in advance every year: it is advisable to check in time at the Pro Loco Info Point.

Why participate

Because it is one of the few events where you don't just look at the landscape, you walk through it and taste it. On a June day, with the coolness of the forest that Rocca di Papa never lacks even in summer, you discover corners of the Castelli Romani Park that remain unknown even to many Romans, and you get to know a community that continues to tell its story through its own cuisine.