Introduction: Alpe di Succiso is one of the finest summits of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, for its overall profile and for the shape of its very sharp ridges, which in winter give full high-mountain sensations. The setting, still unspoilt, is little frequented and often far too underrated. Even though Alpe di Succiso is the lowest of the summits of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, and also the most northerly, it is in truth a summit that holds surprises and great satisfactions.
Route features: The path of the route proposed here has only one small problem at the start; in truth the path is excellently marked, both with the classic red-and-white paint marks and with an obvious, easy-going path. Just one short little move on easy rocks that we hesitate to call grade I.
Route description
At the car park plenty of signs point to numerous destinations. However, the signage is not very helpful and open to ambiguous interpretation. Not far from the car park, near a hairpin bend, a no-entry sign marks a gravel road. Next to this gravel road is a grassy hill with very scanty traces of path. These traces of path are in fact path no. 667, which leads to the Buca del Moro. The Buca del Moro is a junction that crosses path 669 coming from the Rifugio del Rio Pascolo. Do not follow path 669 but carry on through the wood on the very clear traces of path marked with the number 667.
The route climbs gradually to the meadows of the Ghiacciarello, where there is a cairn (a “big man” of a cairn, almost one metre eighty tall). Near the Ghiacciarello meadows you can see the ridge that joins Alpe di Succiso to the summit of Monte Casarola. On the summer path the route is marked very clearly. With snow cover that is not too deep you can see the poles with the red-and-white waymarks.
Following the half-moon-shaped ridge you reach the 1905 m point, where a passage of sharp loose rubble (a vein of ferrous material) calls for the use of hands and feet. It is one of the few slightly exposed passages. Although there is no excessive danger, you still need to pay attention.
Past the little move on easy rocks you reach in a few minutes the summit of Monte Casarola (1972 m) (old name of Alpe di Succiso). You carry on along the ridge, passing the obvious saddle of the Casarola. Here a way down is possible, leading to the springs and the Valle del Secchia. You carry on along the ridge line and in 20 minutes you are on the summit of Alpe di Succiso (2017 m). In our modest opinion the ascent times given on the signs are geared to a well-trained hiker.
Variants and alternatives
Notes on effort and difficulty
Visitor centres and accommodation
Albergo Alpino at Passo del Cerreto
Hotel Cristallo at Cerreto Laghi
Frequently asked questions
How long does the hike to Alpe di Succiso from Passo della Scalucchia take?
You need about 6 hours 30 minutes in total: 3 hours 30 minutes for the ascent and 3 hours for the return. The route is 9.6 km long, has about 675 m of height gain and also takes in Monte Casarola (1972 m).
Are there any difficult moves on the climb to Alpe di Succiso?
Path 667 is well marked with red-and-white paint marks, but there is a short move on easy rocks, exposed above the valley, where it helps to use hands and feet, especially on the way down. The grade is EE- (Escursionisti Esperti, for experienced hikers; the - marks the lower end of the grade), recommended from ages 11-14.
