Introduction: A short hike for little apprentice hikers. The lure of conquering a 2000-metre summit is an extremely powerful incentive for children over seven or eight. The climb to Monte San Nicola is ideal for getting them to tackle a steady slope, perhaps boring at times but one that rewards them with a fine summit cross and pleasant, restful high meadows.
Route features: There is no well-defined path, as the route is extremely intuitive and straightforward. The descent is easy too, should the fog suddenly come down.
The story of a climb with children is told in the trip report Monte San Nicola - The strength of children.
Route description
Ahead of us we can see the rather rounded slope of Monte Briccialone and Monte San Nicola. As there is no defined route, it is best to go as soon as the thaw is over, when the grass is not yet too tall, or alternatively in October. In some stretches the grass can grow very tall indeed. In spring this area is covered with an inexhaustible quantity of colourful flowers, and discovering those flowers alone would be worth the trip. The traces of path on the lower part of the mountain tend to make us walk on the level but take us away from the route; follow them only if necessary, but preferably avoid them, heading decisively towards the top of the obvious Monte Briccialone. Soon the slope sheds its tall grass, alternating with eroded limestone rocks. As you gain height, trees and shrubs disappear. On the rocks you can, in some places, spot cairns marking a ridge (very faint) that leads all the way to the top. The top of Monte Briccialone is marked on a low stone; you carry on beyond it, crossing a barely pronounced little saddle. Here the young hikers are asked for one last effort up to the summit of Monte San Nicola. You move over open grassy slopes covered with grass and small rocks. At the summit the metal cross welcomes us with the view of the long ridge of Monte Canale and Monte Sirente. The southern side of Monte Sirente as a whole is not particularly interesting; still, it is worth pointing out to the children (who are always very eager to learn) how the earth's crust, because of tectonic movements, rises up, creating a soft, eroded slope on one side and a steeper, precipitous face on the other.
Variants and alternatives
Notes on effort and difficulty
Frequently asked questions
From what age can you climb Monte San Nicola with children?
The text recommends it for children over seven or eight: there are no technical difficulties, but the slope is steady and the 900 m of height gain call for perseverance. Times vary a lot with age; for an adult no more than 5 hours.
Is the path to Monte San Nicola waymarked?
There is no well-defined path: you head for Monte Briccialone and then for the summit, following the slope. Red paint marks are rare and cairns appear only higher up. Take care not to follow the tracks of the Ippovia del Sirente.
