Introduction: One of the most beautiful summits of the whole Majella massif, Cima delle Murelle wins you over with the variety of the route and because, to reach it, whichever side you tackle it from, you have to toil quite a bit. The normal route to Cima delle Murelle suggests going by way of a stop at Bivacco Fusco.
Route features: A long route, demanding in terms of height gain, it calls for patience and, in the last section, the ability to move nimbly over grade I moves, using hands and feet to keep your balance. Moves which, however, are not too exposed.
In the first section you pass at the foot of Monte Blockhaus: to find out more read in search of the ruins of the Blockhaus.
Route description
The first part of the route runs from Rifugio Pomilio along the tarmac road to the foot of Monte Blockhaus. Here you spot a little Madonna under a small canopy. You turn left, heading in among the mountain pines. The route runs across the slope below Monte Blockhaus and below Monte Cavallo (which, with a short detour, you can conquer in less than 20 minutes). Carrying on among the mountain pines, where the path is clearer, you come to a small spring. We are now below the imposing bulk of Monte Focalone. Here a serious effort awaits us. Among mountain pines, stones and slabby boulders you climb towards the Focalone. Halfway up the slope you bear towards evident traces of path. Monte Focalone stays a little to our right and ahead of us is a hill beyond which, following the path, we will find Bivacco Fusco, a yellow metal structure where you can stop. From Bivacco Fusco you follow the ridge line that leads all the way to the summit of the Focalone. This is in fact the most linear and direct way to carry on towards Monte Acquaviva.
Already from Bivacco Fusco we can see, on our left, that is looking East, the jagged outline of Cima delle Murelle. One of the most beautiful and fascinating summits of the whole Massif, not least for its palaeontological interest. Here you find, in great numbers, the most interesting fossils of the whole central Apennines.
Having reached the rounded hump of Monte Focalone we carry on towards the orient (east), towards the fore-summit of Monte Acquaviva. The ground up here is made up of big stones and debris of all sizes, so sturdy boots with rigid soles are recommended, so as not to strain the soles of your feet too much. Past the fore-summit of Monte Acquaviva you carry on to the little saddle and, leaning out to the North, you pick out the steep descent towards the valley (to the North-East) that leads to the ridge of Cima delle Murelle. To reach this summit the last section runs along the ridge line and, in some stretches, a little below it. To get to the top you have to get past little grade I moves where it is useful (and enjoyable) to use your hands to move along and find your balance on the rocks. The great quantity of fossils in the rocks will not escape you.
The summit, almost suspended over the void even compared with the total compactness of the massif, enjoys an exceptional panorama which, on days of clear, limpid air, lets you see as far as the Adriatic Sea. Return by the same way.
Variants and alternatives
The only alternative is not to go up to Bivacco Fusco but to carry on along the ridge line that points straight at Monte Focalone, shortening the route a little but making it, on the other hand, decidedly exhausting.
Notes on effort and difficulty
Visitor centres and accommodation
Albergo Mamma Rosa
Rifugio Pomilio
Frequently asked questions
How long does the hike to Cima delle Murelle from Rifugio Pomilio take?
It takes about 7 hours there and back, for about 20 km and 1300 m of total ascent. It is a long and tiring EE+ route (Escursionisti Esperti, for experienced hikers; the + marks the upper end of the grade), which in winter on snow becomes a far more demanding undertaking.
Are there difficult moves on the way to Cima delle Murelle?
The last section on the ridge calls for easy grade I moves, not too exposed, where you use hands and feet for balance. Higher up the ground is all stones and debris: sturdy boots with rigid soles are recommended.
