Monte Vettoretto: How to Get There and Trails

Where Monte Vettoretto Is

Monte Vettoretto belongs to the municipality of Arquata del Tronto, in the province of Ascoli Piceno, and is part of the Vettore group. Seen from above, this group is shaped like a "U". The peaks that make it up include, from west to east, Cima del Redentore, Pizzo del Diavolo, Cima del Lago, the Vettoretto, the Vettore itself and Monte Torrone. The Vettoretto is therefore one of the rises flanking the highest summit of the Sibillini, Monte Vettore (2,476 m). For an overview of the other peaks, see the page on the peaks of the Sibillini Mountains.

From the Vettoretto the view drops down to the Tronto valley. From here Arquata del Tronto and its Rocca (castle) can be seen, still standing despite the 2016 earthquakes.

How to Get to Monte Vettoretto

The starting point is the Forca di Presta pass, at about 1,536 m. The pass lies between the Tronto valley and Castelluccio di Norcia. From Rieti or Ascoli Piceno, take the Salaria road to the turnoff for Arquata del Tronto, enter the village and at the first junction follow the signs for Forca di Presta, where there is parking. From the Umbrian side, cross the Piano Grande of Castelluccio di Norcia and follow the signs for Arquata del Tronto.

At Forca di Presta, cars are left along the roadside. The trailhead is on the right-hand side, near the Park's wooden information board.

Monte Vettoretto Trails and Hikes

The Vettoretto has no route of its own: it lies along the classic ascent of Monte Vettore from Forca di Presta, signposted as trail no. 101. The promontory, which has no cross, is reached in about an hour, depending on pace. The summit is reached with a very short detour to the right of the trail. There are no technical difficulties. The path is easy to follow even in fog.

Those who continue to the summit of the Vettore cover about 10 km in total, round trip, with an elevation gain of about 940 m. The difficulty is E, meaning hiking. Guides give times for the whole day ranging from about 4 to about 6 hours, depending on pace and stops.

After the Vettoretto the trail climbs to the Sella delle Ciaule saddle, home to the Tito Zilioli bivouac (the former hut), at about 2,240 m. The hut was badly damaged by the 2016 earthquake. Today it has been rebuilt and is run by CAI Ascoli Piceno (the Italian Alpine Club). From the saddle the ridge leads to the summit of the Vettore. A detour toward Lago di Pilato adds about 3 km round trip and 1 and a half hours of walking, graded EE. The lake lies at 1,941 m, below Pizzo del Diavolo. In recent years, in the driest summers, it has often dried up completely.

A few practical points:

• There are no refreshment stops or springs along the route, so bring enough water and food.
• The route crosses a protected area of the Park where dogs are not allowed.
• After the 2016 earthquake some sections stayed closed for a long time. Some trails and access points, especially toward Lago di Pilato, may be subject to changing ordinances. Before setting out, check the current situation with the Park, the Municipality of Arquata del Tronto or CAI.

When to Go to Monte Vettoretto

The best season for the climb runs from late spring to fall. One guide recommends April to November, when there is no snow. Another suggests June to October. In winter the area is visited on snowshoes. For snow conditions and trail updates, it is wise to ask before setting out.

On the summit the icy wind can be unpleasant, so it is better to climb in the summer months. In August the trail is very crowded, because of the draw of Lago di Pilato. In the right season, Apennine edelweiss grows on the meadows. Those who want to watch the sunrise from the Vettoretto can opt for a night start, but they need mountain experience. The weather should be checked carefully before every outing.

What to See Near Monte Vettoretto

The most natural destination is Monte Vettore. From its summit all the other Sibillini peaks can be seen, along with the Monti della Laga, the Gran Sasso and the Monti Gemelli. Lago di Pilato is home to the Marchesoni's fairy shrimp (Chirocefalo del Marchesoni), a small, reddish endemic crustacean. On the south side, in Arquata del Tronto, runs the Cordone del Vettore, also called the Sentiero delle Fate (Fairies' Path). A legend says that the fairies, fleeing at dawn, dug the mule track with their goat hooves. In Pretare, a hamlet of Arquata, the legend is re-enacted on the feast of San Rocco with a dance of young women dressed as fairies.

For other hikes in the group, there are the pages on Cima del Lago and Cima del Redentore. From the latter the view dominates the Castelluccio di Norcia plateau, known for its lentils and its blooms.

Forca di Presta is also the starting point of the Sentiero per Tutti (Trail for All), managed by the Sibillini National Park and accessible to pedestrians, cyclists and people with disabilities.