Trail 261, Castelsantangelo sul Nera: Parcheggio Monte Prata – Passo di Sasso Borghese

The route of Trail 261

The first two and a half kilometers are almost a stroll: the trail climbs only 130 m, passing beside Monte delle Prata (1,800 m), to the Fonte della Jumenta spring, at km 2.5, a few meters from the trail. It is the only spring along the route, apart from the one near the start.

After the spring the gradient changes. In a kilometer and a half the trail climbs from 1,780 to over 2,070 m, on the flank of Monte Porche (2,233 m). At km 4 trail 257 arrives, coming from the Belvedere ski lifts by way of the Passo Cattivo.

Once at 2,090 m the trail runs along the ridge, with small ups and downs. At km 4.6 it meets trail 154, which climbs from Foce di Montemonaco; then it passes below Palazzo Borghese (2,145 m) and the Sasso di Palazzo Borghese (2,119 m), less than 150 meters away, and descends slightly to the pass.

Trail 261 technical details

In total there are some sixty meters of descent.

The final section of trail 261 is part of the Park's E17 hiking route, "Sui passi del Guerrin Meschino" (In the footsteps of Guerrin Meschino), from Castelluccio to Foce: 13.7 km, 4 hours and 40 minutes one way, graded EE.

Trail 261 map

The Strada Imperiale, number 555, and trail 558 reach the Passo di Sasso Borghese. Trail 154 descends to Foce di Montemonaco: 1,160 m of elevation change on the other side, so a return trip needs to be arranged.