Introduction: A quick route of medium length but with a demanding height gain. The balcony overlooking the Valle Majelama is very beautiful, mainly in its lower part, from where you can see the buttresses of the Magnola. Its upper part is less spectacular. The south-eastern side of Monte Cafornia is beautiful.
Route features: The route runs along the edge of the Cafornia buttress, on the ridge that overlooks the Valle Majelama (or Majellama). Overall the route is technically simple; trekking poles are more useful than the ice axe. Depending on snow conditions it may or may not be useful to put on crampons.
Along the gravel road, about 3 km from Forme, you find Rifugio Casale da Monte.
Route description
From the hairpin bend, instead of climbing into the Valle Majelama, you notice that on its left there is a small inlet (a narrow gorge); between this gorge and the Majellama you make out a hill of stones and grass. You climb straight up this rounded slope, keeping prudently to the side that overlooks the deep Valle Majelama.
The slope is marked by the passage of animals. It is not rare to meet wild boar. After the first promontory the view over the Valle Majelama becomes spectacular. Looking towards the valley you can see the rocky buttresses of the Magnola and the Sentinella. It is on these high rocks that the birds of prey breed. (Which is why the valley stays closed from 15 February to 15 August every year).
You carry on up to about 2100 m, where you meet the ridge coming down from Cimata Fossa dei Cavalli. Following the crest of the ridge, with a few small, steeper moves, you finally reach the summit of Cimata Fossa dei Cavalli.
Return by the same route. Avoid wedging yourself into the ravines that score this side, as they can hide rock steps that are hard to get past with hiking equipment.
Variants and alternatives
There is a possible variant for the descent: once you have lost height coming down from Cimata Fossa dei Cavalli along the ridge, you can head further south into the glacial combe that comes down from Monte Cafornia. Keeping within the wide valley and below the bulk of the Cafornia, you move across the slope.
Below us we can make out the ravine that we must carefully avoid, as it contains rather treacherous rock steps.
The slope then goes down with the same characteristics as the one we climbed and reaches the gravel road that will take us back to the car.
Notes on effort and difficulty
Visitor centres and accommodation
Beyond the gravel road, about 3 km from Forme, you find Rifugio Casale Da Monte (see fact sheet), easy to reach and very welcoming.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to climb Cimata Fossa dei Cavalli from Forme?
The fact sheet gives about 6 hours in all: 4 hours up and 2 down, for 9 km and 1350 metres of height gain. The ascent is tiring and the route is exposed to sun and wind.
Do you need crampons and an ice axe for Cimata Fossa dei Cavalli?
Without snow the route is for experienced hikers and trekking poles are enough. With snow, especially on the steeper stretches, crampons and an ice axe may be needed and the grade goes up to EEA (Escursionisti Esperti con Attrezzatura: experienced hikers with equipment), depending on snow conditions.
