Capotenna: How to Get There and Trails

Where Capotenna is

Capotenna lies in the upper Val Tenna, in the territory of Montefortino. The Gola dell'Infernaccio separates Monte Priora to the north from Monte Sibilla to the south. The Tenna river rises here and flows down to the Adriatic.

The place is a grassy plateau with the high walls of the Priora on one side and the Sibilla on the other. There are also some old shepherds' shelters and watering troughs. At Capotenna the Valle Lunga also opens out, facing south. The Romitorio di Sant'Antonio, a hermitage, once stood in the area. Ancient routes passed through here, crossing the Apennines from Amandola and Montefortino at the Passo Cattivo.

How to get to Capotenna

The starting point is the Valleria parking lot, above the hamlet of Rubbiano di Montefortino. Follow the signs for the Infernaccio along the road linking Amandola and Montefortino. Then take an unpaved road of a few kilometers, which ends at a parking area where cars are left. The trail starts from there.

Capotenna trails and hikes

When it is open, the classic route from Rubbiano to Capotenna is long: the round trip takes a good part of the day. Going up and coming down, it covers several hundred meters of elevation change. Because of its length and elevation gain it is classified as difficult, even though the trail is wide and well marked.

The route passes the Pisciarelle, where spring water gushes from the rock, and crosses the gorge. After the narrowest section, at a spot in the beech wood, there is a junction: to the right the path climbs to the Eremo di San Leonardo, to the left it continues toward Capotenna. Beyond the second junction for San Leonardo, however, the trail is closed to vehicles and pedestrians under an ordinance of the Municipality of Montefortino. In the first part of the gorge there are slippery stretches, while toward Capotenna there are sections prone to landslides. Shade and water accompany the walk all the way to the destination.

Once the trail reopens, it will be possible to continue from Capotenna toward the Passo Cattivo, from which the Valle Lunga can be seen.

The trail has been closed several times by ordinances of the Municipality and the Park. Before setting out, it is wise to check its current status.

When to go to Capotenna

Summer is the season of greatest interest. The gorge offers relief in the hot months, and the route is largely shaded and rich in water. September is suggested as a less crowded period than August. In fall the San Leonardo beech wood changes color.

After rain or thaw the slippery stretches increase. It is best to check the weather and any ordinances in force.

What to see near Capotenna

The Infernaccio junction leads to the Hermitage of San Leonardo al Volubrio, a hermitage at 1,128 m. It is reached in about an hour's walk from the gorge, through a wood of beech, maple and yew. From the hermitage a trail leads to the Cascata nascosta (the hidden waterfall). For the hermitage and the waterfall, the page on the Gola dell'Infernaccio has more details.

Along the route there is also the Laghetto della Sibilla, a small lake formed after the collapse of the rock face below Monte Sibilla caused by the 2016 earthquake. Other similar routes are on the page gorges and valleys of the Sibillini.