Monte Cimone from Pian Cavallaro
A short, steep mule track leads to the highest peak in the northern Apennines, crowned by antennas and a weather observatory.
- Difficulty
- E Hiking
- Length
- 2 km
- Elevation gain
- +280 m / −280 m
- Time
- 1.5–2 hours round trip
- Route
- Out and back
- Altitude
- 1854–2137 m
- Season
- Summer Autumn
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The story
On the clearest days you can see the Alps and both seas from the summit. The Italian Air Force has one of its highest observatories on the top, and the CNR (National Research Council) measures clean atmospheric air here.
Why go
Because in less than an hour you reach the roof of the northern Apennines, with one of the widest panoramas in Italy.
Practical information
- Start
- Pian Cavallaro, about 1880 m, above Sestola (CAI trail 449)
- Finish
- Summit of Monte Cimone, 2165 m; back the same way
- Best time
- June–October
- Parking
- At Pian Cavallaro, reachable by car from Sestola.
- By public transport
- Bus to Sestola; in summer, lifts from the Passo del Lupo (check the times).
- Water
- At the Rifugio Pian Cavallaro.
- Shade
- None.
- Huts and refreshments
- Rifugio Pian Cavallaro.
- With children
- Yes: it is short, but at altitude and on stony ground.
Weather at the start
The forecast for the next 7 days at this spot: sky, temperatures, rain and wind.
Forecast by Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), from the models of national weather services. Your browser downloads it directly from Open-Meteo, and only when you ask. In the mountains and at sea the weather changes quickly: check the official forecast as well before you set off.
What to see on the route and nearby
More hikes in Emilia-Romagna
- 1Pietra di Bismantova loopE 3.6 km · +290 m · 2–2.5 hours · loop
- 2★ Acquacheta Falls from San Benedetto in AlpeE 8.8 km · +300 m · 4–4.5 hours · out and back
- 3★ Lago Santo Parmense from LagdeiE 3.6 km · +350 m · 1.5–2 hours · out and back
- 4Carnè loop in the Vena del GessoT 5.3 km · +240 m · 2 hours · loop
- 5Corno alle Scale and Lago Scaffaiolo loopE 8.1 km · +550 m · 3.5–4 hours · loop
- 7Dardagna Falls from Madonna dell'AceroT 3.5 km · +60 m · 1.5 hours round trip · out and back
- 8The San Luca portico, from Porta Saragozza to the sanctuaryT 7.3 km · +200 m · 2 hours round trip · out and back
- 9Monte Ventasso from Lago CalamoneE 4.9 km · +380 m · 3 hours round trip · out and back
Routes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), via Waymarked Trails and BRouter; elevations from a digital terrain model. Times and elevation gains are indicative: waymarks on the ground and closure orders always take precedence.