Cammino dei Cappuccini Stage 14: Montefortino to Montefalcone Appennino

The route of Cammino dei Cappuccini Stage 14

The stage starts in Montefortino and follows the trail to Amandola, reached about 6 km after the start, on a section that runs mostly through woods. After Amandola the landscape opens into softer hill country.

Further on the route reaches Lago di San Ruffino. Nearby stands the Romanesque Abbazia dei Santi Ruffino e Vitale, with a crypt, frescoes and underground rooms. From the abbey a long climb on country roads leads to Smerillo, where the route crosses the "fessa", a cleft in sedimentary sandstone with very ancient fossils inside.

On the last section to Montefalcone Appennino there is a choice between the easier route on asphalt and the more demanding "sentiero natura" (nature trail), which climbs through woods and along ridges. The stage is long, with plenty of elevation change, and is classified as demanding.

The previous stage is described in Cammino dei Cappuccini stage 13. The next one, toward Rotella, is in Cammino dei Cappuccini stage 15.

Cammino dei Cappuccini Stage 14: technical data

• Start: Montefortino
• Finish: Montefalcone Appennino
• Length: 24.1 km
• Route type: one-way, not a loop
• Difficulty: demanding
• Surface: about 59% dirt and 41% asphalt
• Elevation change: about 800 m of ascent and about 630 m of descent
• Highest point: 893 m
• Lowest point: 309 m
• Trail code: CdC

Along the route there are many drinking water points, a picnic table and two picnic areas. The best time of year runs from May to September. Checking the weather before setting off is advisable, because the stage is long.

Map of Cammino dei Cappuccini Stage 14

The route links Montefortino to Montefalcone Appennino via Amandola, Lago di San Ruffino and Smerillo. Two parking areas are marked near the start, about 266 m and about 364 m away. The stage does not return to its starting point, so anyone leaving a car in Montefortino needs to arrange the return trip.

Points of interest on Cammino dei Cappuccini Stage 14

In Montefortino, before setting off, it is worth visiting the Chiesa di San Francesco, built on the remains of the old church of Santa Maria del Girone, and Palazzo Leopardi. The palazzo houses the Pinacoteca Fortunato Duranti art gallery, the Museo Faunistico dei Sibillini (a wildlife museum) and the Museo d'Arte Sacra (sacred art museum).

Along the route are the Sanctuary of Beato Antonio (Sant'Agostino), the Chiesa di Santa Maria Piedagello, the hamlet of Coriconi and that of San Ruffino, with the Abbazia dei Santi Ruffino e Vitale.

In Montefalcone Appennino stand the ruins of the Farfense Castle and a viewpoint. The village is known for its rocky spur and its old walls overhanging the valley. Also worth seeing is the Convento di San Giovanni in Selva, where in 1525 Fra Matteo da Bascio made his escape, which gave impetus to the birth of the Capuchins.