Montalto di Cessapalombo - La Villa Trail (CAI 343)

The Montalto di Cessapalombo La Villa trail route

Trail 343 is a 6.7 km route with an elevation change of about 590 m, so it requires good fitness even though the difficulty is the standard hiking grade (E). Since the route is linear, the actual figure depends on the direction in which it is walked.

Along the route there are two passes, a viewpoint and the summit of Monte Petrella. There are also drinking water points, including the Fonte Sottacqua spring. Before setting off it is worth checking the weather and choosing a settled day, because the route goes above 1,000 m.

The place name La Villa refers to one of the hamlets in the area. The village of Villa grew up as a stop on the way to the nearby hermitage of the Grotta dei Frati. A much longer and more demanding loop also starts from La Villa. It climbs Monte Petrella, then Monte Fiegni and Monte Cordazzo, descends to the Lago di Fiastra and returns via the Lame Rosse and the Grotta dei Frati. For other circular routes, see the page on loop hikes in the Sibillini.

Montalto di Cessapalombo La Villa trail: technical data

• Trail number: 343 (CAI register code: MMCM3430)
• Difficulty: E (hiking)
• Route type: linear, not a loop
• Length: 6.7 km
• Highest elevation: 1,097 m
• Lowest elevation: 528 m
• Elevation change: about 590 m

It is best to estimate the duration based on the elevation change and your own pace, allowing for both the outward and return legs.

Montalto di Cessapalombo La Villa trail map

The map shows the route of trail 343, a linear 6.7 km route. Before setting off it is useful to save the track on your phone or carry a hiking map. For more hikes in the area there is the page on Sibillini Mountains hiking.

Points of interest along the Montalto di Cessapalombo La Villa trail

Montalto Castle. It stands in a very panoramic position and retains imposing ruins of towers and walls. Nearby stands the church of San Benedetto. Of the castle, the defensive walls, some caves and a water cistern are still visible. The ruins are reported to be accessible.

Palazzo Simonelli, in Tribbio. The building houses the former church of Santa Lucia, partly frescoed, and is home to the Museo delle Carbonaie (charcoal kiln museum). The hostel has been closed since the damage of the 2016 earthquake and is awaiting restoration. For this reason the building cannot be visited.

Chiesa di Santa Maria Ausiliatrice, in Villa. It holds a 15th-century fresco.

Grotta dei Frati. It takes its name from the friars who lived there: first the Benedictines, around the year 1000, then from the 13th century the Clareni, dissident Franciscans, whose convent remained active until the early 17th century.

Monument to the Montalto massacre. On March 22, 1944 the hamlet was the scene of the execution of 32 young partisans by Nazi-Fascist forces. A modest monument commemorates the event. Every year in April the Marcia della Memoria (March of Remembrance) takes place, ending at the castle of Montalto.