A demanding ascent into the heart of the Mainarde, the rugged limestone chain forming the border between Molise, Lazio and Abruzzo. From the Rifugio del Falco above Pizzone the path climbs through beech forest and up steep grassy slopes onto the main ridge near Monte a Mare (1,978 m), with continuous views over the Castel San Vincenzo lake and deep into the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park.
| Distance | 13 km round trip |
|---|---|
| Duration | 6–7 hours |
| Difficulty | Difficult |
Weather through the year in Italy
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Italy.
Highlights
- Heart of the wild Mainarde range
- Views down to the turquoise Castel San Vincenzo lake
- Chamois, deer and golden eagles within the national park
- Quiet, little-trodden high mountain terrain
- Border ridge between three regions
Tips for visiting
- Check that the upper slopes are free of snow before late spring attempts
- wildlife is most active early morning — set off at first light