Cima del Lago: how to get there and trails
Cima del Lago is a 2,422 m mountain in the Sibillini Mountains, on the border between the Marche and Umbria. It rises in the Municipality of Montemonaco, inside the Sibillini Mountains National Park. The name ("summit of the lake") comes from its panoramic position over Lago di Pilato: only from this summit can the whole lake be seen from above. The most used route starts from Forca di Presta, a mountain pass, along trail 101, passes the Zilioli hut and Punta di Prato Pulito, then follows the ridge.
Before you go
Rules and orders: Park website. Snow and avalanches: Meteomont bulletin.
Where Cima del Lago is located
Cima del Lago belongs to the Monte Vettore group and lies on the border between the Marche and Umbria. It looks east-northeast toward Lago di Pilato and Monte Vettore, and west-northwest toward the Piano Grande di Castelluccio di Norcia. It is only 54 meters lower than the Vettore and among the highest peaks in the Park. Its prominence is 62 m.
How to get to Cima del Lago
The usual starting point is the Forca di Presta pass. It is reached by car from Castelluccio di Norcia, a few kilometers away. The car can be left at the roadside at the top of the pass. Coming from Castelluccio, the start of trail 101 is visible right away on the left. The pass is at 1,536 m.
Trails and hikes to Cima del Lago
From Forca di Presta, follow trail 101 to the Zilioli hut. The climb up to the Vettoretto (2,052 m) is pleasant and never steep; then it becomes more demanding on scree, up to the hut on the Sella delle Ciaule. The Rifugio Tito Zilioli was rebuilt after the Central Italy earthquake and is run by the CAI (Italian Alpine Club).
From the hut, leave the 101 and climb left to Punta di Prato Pulito, marked by a metal cross. A short, easy up-and-down stretch then leads to Cima del Lago. On the summit there is only a small pile of stones, with no sign. The trail continues north toward the Redentore: it is not marked, but it always remains clearly visible.
A longer route links the Vettoretto, Prato Pulito, Cima del Lago, the Redentore and Pizzo del Diavolo. The classic route to the Vettore is about 10 km round trip and takes about 5 and a half hours.
When to visit Cima del Lago
For the route from Forca di Presta to the Vettore, the period between summer and autumn is recommended, because in spring snowy stretches may remain. The route is very exposed to the sun: water and food are needed. Along the climb there are no places to shelter from the sun and no water sources, and it is usually windy.
What to see near Cima del Lago
Lago di Pilato lies at 1,941 m, in the municipality of Montemonaco. Swimming is prohibited and visitors must stay at least 5 meters from the shore, so as not to trample the eggs of the chirocefalo (a tiny fairy shrimp). According to legend, the body of Pontius Pilate ended up in its waters.
On the same ridges are Monte Vettore (2,476 m) and Punta di Prato Pulito. Farther north are Cima dell'Osservatorio and Cima del Redentore (2,448 m). The dedicated pages are Cima del Redentore and Cima dell'Osservatorio; an overview is on the page peaks of the Sibillini Mountains. In Montemonaco, Villa Curi houses the Museo della Grotta Sibilla.