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Forca di Gualdo: how to get there and trails

At a glance

Type
Mountain pass
Municipality
Castelsantangelo sul Nera (MC)
Elevation
1,496 m

Source: site database, © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

Forca di Gualdo is a mountain pass at 1,496 m in the municipality of Castelsantangelo sul Nera. It opens between the Marche side of the Sibillini and the territory of Castelluccio di Norcia, in Umbria. On the pass stands the Church of Madonna della Cona, a small ridge-top church, restored after the earthquake and reopened on November 7, 2021. In the past, every year on July 2, the villages of Castelsantangelo sul Nera and Castelluccio climbed here in procession; today the feast is celebrated on the first Sunday of July, in a much smaller form. After Mass there used to be feasting, singing and dancing. Today the provincial road, the footpaths and the mountain bike routes all pass through this point.

Before you go

Forecast

  1. Today9° / 4°0.3 mmCloudy

Forecast by MET Norway, updated automatically · license CC BY 4.0

Rules and orders: Park website. Snow and avalanches: Meteomont bulletin.

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On the map

Points from the site database. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors · Protomaps.

Where Forca di Gualdo is

The pass is in the territory of Castelsantangelo sul Nera, in the province of Macerata, near the border with Umbria. It lies close to the Pian Perduto of Castelluccio di Norcia. The Chiesa della Madonna della Cona stands by the pass. On the slope above it there is a conifer plantation, topped by a summit at 1,853 m.

The village of Gualdo, the starting point of some routes to the pass, was destroyed by the earthquake.

How to get to Forca di Gualdo

The provincial road linking Castelsantangelo sul Nera to Castelluccio crosses Forca di Gualdo. The climb from Castelsantangelo is almost 10 km long. It has an average gradient of around 7.6-7.7% and 17 hairpin bends. The pass can also be reached from the Castelluccio side, which is why the climb is well known to cyclists.

Castelluccio can also be reached via Forca Canapine or Forca di Presta. An overview of the passes in the area is on the page about the mountain passes of the Sibillini.

Forca di Gualdo trails and hikes

The most direct route starts from the village of Gualdo and reaches the Madonna della Cona. It is an out-and-back of a few hours' walking, classed as difficult.

An alternative is the loop from Nocelleto, also in Castelsantangelo sul Nera. It is about 15 km long, with about 950 m of elevation gain and loss, and takes about 5 hours.

The pass is also a waypoint for other hikes. From here you can climb Monte Porche, or Monte Lieto and Monte Pian Falcone. From the 1,853 m summit an easy ridge heading northwest, on trail no. 23, descends to the pass in about 30 minutes.

The pass is also part of mountain bike routes. These include the Strada Imperiale route, which runs from Castelsantangelo sul Nera over Forca di Gualdo and back to the springs of the Nera.

When to go to Forca di Gualdo

The loop from Nocelleto is recommended all year round, as long as there is no snow. With snow, check the route conditions in advance, as for any mountain outing. The trails in the area see few visitors, and meeting many people is unlikely.

What to see near Forca di Gualdo

From Castelsantangelo sul Nera, trails lead to Pian Perduto, Monte Prata, Forca di Gualdo and the springs of the Nera. These are at Vallinfante and are tied to the legend of the Nymph Nera. Climbing beyond the pass leads to Monte Lieto, which reaches 1,944 m.

Other passes in the area are Forca di Presta and Forca Viola.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the trail from Gualdo to Forca di Gualdo?

The route from Gualdo to the Madonna della Cona, by the pass of Forca di Gualdo, is an out-and-back of a few hours' walking. It is classed as difficult.

Can you cycle up to Forca di Gualdo?

Yes, the pass can be climbed by bike from two sides: from Castelsantangelo sul Nera and from Castelluccio. The Castelsantangelo side is almost 10 km long, with an average gradient of around 7.6-7.7% and 17 hairpin bends.

What is the Madonna della Cona?

It is the church that stands by Forca di Gualdo. In the past, on July 2, Castelsantangelo sul Nera and Castelluccio climbed here in procession for the Festa della Cona; today the feast is celebrated on the first Sunday of July, in a much smaller form.

Nearby

Where to stay

Straight-line distances.