Cima di Vallinfante: how to get there and trails

Where Cima di Vallinfante is located

The peak rises in the territory of Castelsantangelo sul Nera, in the province of Macerata. The Porche di Vallinfante connect to Colle La Croce, Monte Porche, Cima Vallelunga, Passo Cattivo and Monte Prata. At the foot of the peak lies Vallinfante, in a natural amphitheater between the slopes of Monte Prata, Monte Porche and Passo Cattivo. Not far away is the village of Macchie, at 1,078 m. The basin of the springs of the Nera is enclosed by Monte Cornaccione, Bove Sud and Cima di Vallinfante itself.

How to get to Cima di Vallinfante

To reach the area, start from the square of Castelsantangelo sul Nera. Take the paved road that runs alongside the old village toward Vallinfante and the Sorgente del Nera, then climb a few switchbacks. Vallinfante is a few kilometers from the main town. By the springs there is a small parking area. The village of Vallinfante was badly damaged by the 2016 earthquake and some nearby roads may have access bans: it is wise to ask before setting out. It is therefore best not to drive beyond the springs area.

For the climb from Macchie, leave the car in the village parking area. From Frontignano, the start is instead from the Selvapiana parking area, at 1,342 m.

Trails and hikes to Cima di Vallinfante

The route from Macchie is graded EE, meaning for expert hikers. It starts from the parking area, skirts Colle la Croce at low altitude and climbs through the woods to the meadows. It then reaches the Fonte delle Vene and continues along the Porche to the summit. The loop can be closed by descending to Macchie via Passo Cattivo, the Fonte del Lupo and the Fonte Raiole. On the Porche stretch the track is not always clear, so a sense of direction and care are needed.

From Frontignano the climb is graded E/EE and uses CAI trail 257, which skirts the peak on the west side. Until December 31, 2026, however, the start of trail 257 lies in the construction area of the Frontignano-Cornaccione gondola lift, where ordinance no. 48 of August 25, 2026 of the Comune di Ussita prohibits access even on foot. The crest makes it possible to link Cima di Vallinfante and Cima di Passo Cattivo, then descend to Passo Cattivo.

From Vallinfante there are very long routes, with elevation gains of over 1,000 meters. One of them, off-trail between the Cascata del Pisciatore and the summit, is not recommended.

When to visit Cima di Vallinfante

The summit is above 2,100 m, so it is wise to check the weather before setting out. The unmarked stretches make visibility important. For an easier walk, the trail toward the Cascata del Pisciatore crosses a beech wood that is cool and shady in summer.

What to see near Cima di Vallinfante

The springs of the Nera are at 902 m and form a group of clear pools with a flow of about 100 liters per second. The area has a meadow, picnic tables and a stop of the Museo diffuso dell'Acqua (a widespread water museum). From here starts the trail to Lu Pisciaturu, the waterfall that rises on the slopes of the Porche. The easy route is about 3 km and takes about two hours.

For other nearby destinations there are Cima di Passo Cattivo, Cima Vallelunga and Monte Bove Sud. An overview is on the page peaks of the Sibillini Mountains.