Things to Do in Monte Cavallo

Things to do in Monte Cavallo: the map

The points of interest are spread across the hamlets, so a visit is organized in several stops, usually by car. In the village there are the bell tower and the remains of the tower. South of the village, a narrow valley-floor road climbs toward the small church of the Madonna della Valle.

Each hamlet has its own landmark:

• Pantaneto: the church of San Lorenzo Martire, from the 15th century. The Castelliere di Pantaneto is reached from the same village.
• Selvapiana: the church of San Cristoforo.
• Valcaldara: the church of San Nicolò.
• Cerreto: the church of the same name.
• Collattoni: the Le Vene and Trocchi springs.
• Pian della Noce: the church of San Michele Arcangelo.

Outside the municipality, but not far away, is the Santuario di Macereto.

Monte Cavallo sights not to miss

Santuario della Madonna della Valle. The sanctuary was rebuilt on the site of the old church to commemorate the apparition of the Virgin to a little girl in 1523. It has been a pilgrimage destination for centuries. According to tradition the girl was deaf and mute. The news spread quickly and, a few months later, the Duke of Camerino came in person to verify it. The present building dates from 1958-1959. The entrance is preceded by a portico supported by four pillars, and the bell tower is a bell gable. The church is surrounded by a public park with a picnic area, barbecues, tables and benches, an area for campers and a "Percorso verde" (green fitness trail) with exercise equipment. All the details are on the page about the Sanctuary of Madonna della Valle in Monte Cavallo.

Pantaneto: hillfort and church of San Lorenzo. In Pantaneto, a high hamlet reachable by car from Monte Cavallo, there are two places of local history. The Pantaneto Hillfort is an archaeological site. The Church of San Lorenzo dates from the 15th century. Nearby are also the Pantaneto spring and, along the hiking routes, the Fonte del Rio.

Selvapiana: church of San Cristoforo. The Church of San Cristoforo is in Selvapiana and keeps inside a 15th-century cross made of silver plates.

Church of San Benedetto. In the locality of San Benedetto stands the church of the same name, once a Benedictine abbey. It still preserves parts of the original structure. For the visit, see the page on the Chiesa di San Benedetto.

Valcaldara: church of San Nicolò. The church contains a 14th-century cross and a 15th-century fresco of Saint Sebastian. There are also frescoes attributed to Paolo Da Visso, with the Annunciation, the Crucifixion and the Resurrection.

Cerreto. The church of Cerreto holds works by De Magistris.

Other churches. The municipal territory also has the Church of Spirito Santo, the Church of Santo Stefano and the Church of San Giovanni Evangelista, each with its own page.

Nature and water. Monte Cavallo includes the Oasi naturalistica di Monte Fietone e Monte Cesure, a nature reserve. The route is described on the page for the Monte Fietone - Valcaldara loop. Among the natural sights of the municipality is also the Cascata del Rio, a waterfall. In Collattoni, the Le Vene and Trocchi springs are good destinations for easy walks. Between Montecavallo and Pieve Torina lies the Riserva naturale Montagna di Torricchio, a protected area between 800 and 1500 meters, with pastures, meadows and woods.

Santuario di Macereto. Not far from the village stands the religious complex of the Santuario di Macereto, considered one of the highest expressions of Renaissance architecture in the Marche.

Things to do in Monte Cavallo: tips for the visit

Getting there. From provincial road 209 (Muccia), after Pieve Torina, there is a fork with the church of Santa Maria di Caspriano. Keep right on the Caspriano-Monte Cavallo provincial road, pass the village and keep climbing following the signs for Pantaneto. Alternatively, the road linking La Muccia to Visso has a turnoff for Monte Cavallo.

Hikes from Pantaneto. Pantaneto is the starting point of several routes. The Monte Cavallo hike from Pantaneto is 12.5 km long, takes about 6 hours and has about 600 m of elevation gain. It is a route for expert hikers (EE), with varied scenery. Stage N06 of the Sentiero Italia (Visso–Pantaneto) is longer: about 14.5 km, graded as a hiking trail (E). For a short outing, the Collattoni–Monte Tolagna route is listed as easy: 7.3 km in about 3 and a quarter hours.

By bike. The area is crossed by loop routes of the Ciclovia "La Porta della Sibilla" cycle route, including the Anello di Monte Cavallo from Piè del Sasso and the one starting from Pantaneto, the Anello La Valle della Madonna and the scenic route from Piè del Sasso to Cerreto.

When to go. The sights can be visited in every season. In August the Sagra del castrato e del formaggio pecorino (mutton and pecorino cheese festival) takes place. Before driving up to Pantaneto or setting out on the trails, it is wise to check the weather. Before visiting the religious buildings it is useful to check whether they are accessible.

Nearby. In Visso, along the Nera river, medieval architecture can be seen, although parts of the historic center were hit by the earthquake. Rasiglia, in Umbria, is a small village crossed by streams and canals. It can be seen in a few minutes. For a general overview, start from the page Monte Cavallo: what to see and do.