Cupello to Monte Pozzoni Trail (CAI 473)

The Cupello Monte Pozzoni trail route

Trail 473 passes in turn Cupello (980 m), the Fosso della Cona (1,096 m), the Valle San Rufo (1,176 m), the Fonte San Rufo spring (about 1,290 m) and the Fonte Pozzoni (1,627 m), before reaching Monte Pozzoni at 1,903 m.

From the mouth of the Valle San Rufo, about 3 km north of Cittareale along the road to Norcia, the route climbs the whole valley northward. About half the route is in the woods, up to the Fonte Pozzoni. Those arriving by car park near the small road that enters the valley, where the CAI sign for trail 473 stands. The trail climbs gently, first across wide pastures and then through a beech forest.

Beyond the Fonte Pozzoni the route follows the Valle Pozzoni, a wide natural amphitheater, and passes below the spur called Peschi dell'Aquila. Where the slope steepens, the trail turns east and reaches the southeast ridge of the mountain at about 1,860 m. From there it continues west to the summit. Trail 473 is only partly marked, so it is wise to carry a map or GPS track and to check the weather before setting off.

Cupello Monte Pozzoni trail: technical data

• Trail: CAI 473, register code ORIE4730, from Cupello to Monte Pozzoni.
• Difficulty: E (hiking) on the CAI scale.
• Length: about 5.4 km, not a loop.
• Elevation gain: 923 m.
• Lowest elevation: around 980 m. The starting elevation at Cupello is 980 m.
• Highest elevation: the summit of Monte Pozzoni, at 1,903 m.
• Best period: April to October.

The elevation gain is considerable and the climb is almost continuous: a good basic level of fitness is needed. Walking time depends on pace and breaks, so an early start is best.

Cupello Monte Pozzoni trail map

The route follows CAI trail 473 from Cupello, near Cittareale, north to the summit of Monte Pozzoni. It is a linear route: it starts and ends at different points. For hikes that return to the starting point there is the page on loop hikes in the Sibillini Mountains.

Points of interest along the Cupello Monte Pozzoni trail

Fonte San Rufo. This is the first stop along the Valle San Rufo, at about 1,290 m. Nearby is the entrance to the Cittareale cave, also called the Grotta della Sibilla. The entrance shaft is over 16 meters deep and lies in a hollow of the valley.

Fonte Pozzoni. It is reduced to a ruin and has no water. It should therefore not be counted on as a refill point: bring water from home.

Source of the Velino. From trail 473, at the level of the Fonte Pozzoni, a short flat path leads to the source of the Velino river.

Summit of Monte Pozzoni. Its isolated position makes it a viewpoint over the central Apennines. From the summit the view ranges from Terminillo to the Sibillini, and from the Monti della Laga to the Gran Sasso.

Itineraries in the Sibillini Mountains, farther north, are gathered on the page on Sibillini Mountains hiking.