Introduction: The Monti Simbruini are an excellent mountain group for spring and summer hikes. Lush nature and easy, accessible hiking routes in the Simbruini.
Route characteristics: The suggested path, up to the ridge of Monte Piano, is suitable for children from 8 to 11 years old. It can be walked without too much stress and fatigue and allows a first intermediate stop at the Madonnina di Civitella Roveto, from which you can enjoy an evocative view towards Monte Velino and the Val Roveto.
The ascent of Monte Viglio from Serra Sant'Antonio also starts from the same pass, and is recommended for fitter hikers.
Route description
Monte Piano is a buttress of the Cantari, a 2000-metre summit in the Monte Viglio mountain group. Monte Piano barely reaches 1900 metres.
The climb to Monte Piano is not particularly difficult, but depending on the children's fitness it can be more or less tiring.
You start from the Valico di Serra Sant'Antonio, near the junction that leads to Campo Staffi. You follow the mule track that leads from the pass to Fonte della Moscosa. The mule track unwinds through the thick of a lush beech wood typical of the Monti Simbruini. In summer it becomes particularly pleasant to enjoy the coolness and shade of the trees.
At Fonte della Moscosa we find a few little tables where you can have a snack and rest for a few minutes.
Children tend to recover quickly from their efforts.
From Fonte della Moscosa you set off again heading south-east, where among the trees you easily pick out a path climbing towards a very large clearing. Wonderful in summer as in winter, the clearing has to be crossed from end to end. At the far end of the clearing you climb a slope that isn't too steep. Very obvious signs of path run beneath the beeches. At the top of the slope we find the Madonnina di Civitella Roveto and a large black metal cross.
Here you definitely need a rest, before setting off again heading south.
Here the path climbs towards the obvious buttress of Monte Piano. The path moves diagonally across a grassy plateau until it comes out among the rocks (heading south-west)
Careful, because the waymarking is a bit confusing. In places you need to gain a bit of height until you find the lost path again.
You come out near a small rocky ridge from which you will carry on heading south-east. We are in fact on Monte Piano, beyond which we can make out the summit of the Cantari.
This fairly simple climb is suitable for children in the season from spring to autumn, taking care to avoid the hottest days. The Monti Simbruini are not very high mountains and tend to keep higher temperatures than mountain groups such as the Velino, the Gran Sasso or the Majella.
The descent can be made by the outward path or by the route that leads to the Grotta della Neve.
You go back along the ridge of Monte Piano until you meet a group of trees (scarce waymarking), heading north-west. Here you change direction, heading north-east. Among the trees you lose height until you find clear signs of path again. Careful: some of these signs are actually just the tracks of the horses that live wild on this ridge. These signs, however, lead all the way to Fonte della Moscosa.
From the spring we pick up our mule track again, which will take us back to the car.
Variants and alternatives
The climb to Monte Piano is shared with the hike to Monte Viglio, recommended for fitter hikers and, in winter, for properly equipped ones.
Notes on effort and difficulty
Frequently asked questions
From what age is the hike to Monte Piano suitable?
The path up to the ridge of Monte Piano is designed for children from about 8 years old. The climb isn't difficult, but how tiring it is depends on how fit the children are: it's best to go between spring and autumn, avoiding the hottest days.
How long is the hike to Monte Piano and where does it start?
You start from the Valico di Serra Sant'Antonio, near the turn-off for Campo Staffi. The round measures about 6.7 km with 500 m of total ascent and takes about 5 hours; you return by the same route or via the Grotta della Neve.
