Fonte del Lupo: how to get there and trails

Where Fonte del Lupo is

The spring is in the municipality of Castelsantangelo sul Nera, in the province of Macerata. It sits at about 1700 m, above the woods that spread below Monte Cornaccione. The nearest starting point on the Castelsantangelo side is Macchie, a small hamlet. On the opposite side, toward Frontignano, the area is known for its hiking routes.

How to get to Fonte del Lupo

From the Castelsantangelo sul Nera side, follow the road toward the Sorgenti del Nera (the springs of the Nera river). At a fork, turn toward Vallinfante and from there toward Macchie. In Macchie, park in the small square at the start of the first houses, near a little church. From there the spring is reached on foot.

From the Frontignano side, the start is the resort. A short stretch of dirt road precedes the dense beech forest, which leads to the spring on a pleasant walk. In winter the dirt road toward the ski lifts at the foot of Monte Cornaccione can be snow-covered and impassable by car.

Fonte del Lupo trails and hikes

The route from Frontignano has these features: length 5 km, elevation gain 276 m, about 3 hours and 15 minutes of walking excluding stops. The difficulty is low (CAI scale: tourist). This route also starts from the Frontignano resort: until December 31, 2026, the stretches closed by Municipality of Ussita ordinance no. 48 of August 25, 2026 for the gondola lift construction site are shown on the Park's ordinance map, which should be checked before setting out. A basic level of fitness is needed, because the route alternates ascents and descents.

From Macchie, CAI trail 259 climbs up. It passes Fonte Raiole after about 500 m and reaches Fonte del Lupo after about 2.5 km of ascent. Beyond the spring the trail continues until it meets trail 257, in the Passo Cattivo area.

There is also a loop classed as medium difficulty. It starts from Pian dell'Arco, follows the wide track up to Monte Cornaccione, continues past the spring and along the Sentiero del Lupo, and returns to the starting point. Until December 31, 2026, however, the wide Cornaccione track lies in the gondola lift construction zone, where Municipality of Ussita ordinance no. 48 of August 25, 2026 bans passage even on foot.

When to go to Fonte del Lupo

The trail can be walked in several seasons. It is hiked in late summer and also in winter, with snow on the dirt-road stretch. With snow, driving up may be impossible. Before setting out, check the weather and the state of the trails on the Park's map of ordinances, because after the 2016 earthquake some stretches in the Passo Cattivo area may have changed or closed, and until December 31, 2026 Municipality of Ussita ordinance no. 48 of August 25, 2026 bans passage, even on foot, in the construction area of the Frontignano-Cornaccione gondola lift. Recommended gear for the hike includes hiking shoes, at least 1.5 liters of water, a rain jacket and a warm layer.

What to see near Fonte del Lupo

Passo Cattivo is the most natural destination to combine with the spring. It is an imposing natural barrier that separates the valley of the Tenna river from that of the Nera. According to tradition, it was in this area that Guerin Meschino searched for the fairy Sibyl in the romance by Andrea da Barberino.

In Castelsantangelo sul Nera the medieval layout of the village, the square tower, the walls and the gates can still be seen. Near the village, at Vallinfante, the Nera river rises at 902 m. Visso is about 10 minutes away by car and Ussita about 15. Other mountain waters are described on the page about the springs of the Sibillini Mountains.