Cima Vallelunga: how to get there and trails

Where Cima Vallelunga is

The peak lies on the ridge between Monte Porche and Monte Sibilla, inside Sibillini National Park. On the east side, steep rock faces and grassy slopes drop sharply toward the Foce valley. To the west is the Valle Lunga. This valley opens at Capotenna and is flanked on the west by Cima Cannafusto and on the east by Cima Vallelunga, with Monte Porche in the background.

How to get to Cima Vallelunga

The summit can only be reached on foot. A dirt road signposted for Rifugio Sibilla starts shortly after Isola San Biagio. It leads to the Rifugio Sibilla (a mountain hut), where there is parking at 1,540 m. The dirt road can also be reached from Montemonaco. Before setting out, it is wise to check the condition of the road and the trail.

Cima Vallelunga trails and hikes

From the hut, a cart track climbs for just over 6 km, with about 600 m of elevation gain, to the saddle between Cima Vallelunga and Monte Sibilla at 2,129 m. This stretch is trail number 156. From the saddle, an easy ridge heading southwest leads to the summit. The round trip from the saddle to the top is short, with about 100 m of elevation gain.

Adding Monte Sibilla makes a longer loop that takes several hours of walking. It is a moderately demanding hike.

Another option is the traverse from Monte Porche or Monte Sibilla, on a good ridge trail marked with blue dots. There is also a route that runs through the Gola dell'Infernaccio gorge to the Sorgente Tenna spring; it can only be walked once the section beyond the second junction for San Leonardo reopens, as it is currently closed to vehicles and pedestrians by ordinance of the Municipality of Montefortino. It then continues on the northern slopes of Monte Sibilla, passing Casale Lanza and Casale della Sibilla.

When to climb Cima Vallelunga

The ascent is done in every season: spring, summer, fall and winter. In winter there is also a ski-mountaineering route that uses the gully on the north face. Before heading up, check the weather and ground conditions, especially when there is snow.

What to see near Cima Vallelunga

From the summit you can see the second top of the Sibilla and, far below, the Gola dell'Infernaccio. Monte Bove Sud, Pizzo Berro and Monte Priora are also in view. Monte Sibilla gave its name to the whole massif. Just east of its summit is the Grotta delle Fate, or Grotta della Sibilla, where according to tradition lived the sorceress sought by Guerin Meschino. The cave is now blocked.

The Infernaccio gorges are carved by the Tenna river between Monte Priora and Monte Sibilla. They belong to the municipality of Montefortino. In the gorges stands the Hermitage of San Leonardo al Volubrio, a hermitage and pilgrimage destination, but the earthquake of August 2016 damaged its structure. For other climbs in the area, see the pages on Cima di Vallinfante, Cima di Passo Cattivo or Monte Bove Sud. The overview is in the peaks of the Sibillini Mountains.