Quarto San Lorenzo: how to get there and trails

Where Quarto San Lorenzo is located

The peak lies in the Montemonaco area, in the province of Ascoli Piceno, on the Marche side of the Sibillini. It rises above the upper valley that climbs from Foce toward Lago di Pilato. Higher up the valley opens out and the trail runs south through it, beneath the scree slopes coming down from Quarto San Lorenzo, Cima dell'Osservatorio and as far as Pizzo del Diavolo.

Next to the summit is Forca Viola, a panoramic pass that separates it from Monte Argentella.

How to get to Quarto San Lorenzo

The most common starting point is Foce di Montemonaco, an old shepherds' village that can be reached by car. Coming from Rome, take the SS4 and, near Mozzano, turn left onto the SP237 toward Comunanza. After 25 km take the SP86 toward Montemonaco and, at Pignotti, turn off for Foce, 5 km away. Before Foce the road passes the church of Santa Maria in Casalicchio.

From the opposite side, from Castelluccio, a dirt road leads to the Capanna Ghezzi. From there a steep path climbs to Forca Viola. It is wise to check the condition of the dirt road before setting out.

Quarto San Lorenzo trails and hikes

The route linking Cima di Forca Viola, via the northeast ridge, and Quarto San Lorenzo is graded EE, meaning for expert hikers. After the 2016 earthquake several Sibillini trails were subject to closures and restrictions. Before every outing it is therefore necessary to check the Park's updates.

From Foce there is also a winter mountaineering loop, which climbs a very steep gully toward the ridge below Cima dell'Osservatorio. The return follows the ridge to Forca Viola. It is a long loop with a large elevation gain.

When to go to Quarto San Lorenzo

The area is also visited in winter, but with snow and ice on the ridge, crampons, an ice axe, a helmet and basic mountaineering gear are needed. In other seasons, as always at altitude, it is wise to check the weather and set off with enough time for a long route.

What to see near Quarto San Lorenzo

Along the ridge are Cima dell'Osservatorio, Cima di Forca Viola and Monte Argentella. Foce lies at the foot of Palazzo Borghese, Monte Porche and Cima Vallelunga.

Lago di Pilato, at an elevation of 1,941 m below Monte Vettore, is home to the Chirocefalo del Marchesoni, a species found nowhere else in the world. Below the face of Palazzo Borghese a smaller glacial pond forms in winter, which often dries up before summer. For a broader picture, see the page on the peaks of the Sibillini Mountains. Before heading up to Foce, the historic center of Montemonaco is worth a visit.