Introduction: Like many other hikes that start near ski installations, the climb to Monte Crepacuore can also be a vehicle for negative feelings. You quickly move away from the ugliness of the lifts and into the heart of the wild environment. A hike not to be missed: it offers an interesting view of Monte Viglio, Monte Passeggio, Pizzo Deta and the beech woods of the Monti Ernici below.
Route features: An obvious path network and waymarking in place make this route accessible to everyone, especially in the summer period: potentially a route suitable for teenage hikers.
Also read the story of one of our outings on this summit: Monte Crepacuore (“Heartbreak”) with the Cardiologist.
Route description
From the big building you go back to the roundabout, then, keeping right, you immediately come to a ski run that heads east. The ski run climbs slowly, following the ridge on the edge of Campo Catino. Three quarters of the way up you leave the ski run to take the path that traverses across the northern ridge. On our right we leave Monte Pozzotello, which we may climb on the way back.
The path reaches a wide saddle, from where once again you move onto the northern side of the ridge, until you pass below the Peschio delle Cornacchie, where the path runs over loose rubble. The path reaches a beautiful and very panoramic saddle, marked by little rock towers, from which you can already see Monte Crepacuore in the distance. From here you go down on traces of path towards the Peschio delle Ciavole where, tucked into the valley, you can see a building. In fact the building is a very badly kept hut. The hut is near the Fonte del Pozzotello. From the hut you carry on towards the very obvious ridge that leads all the way to the summit of Monte Crepacuore.
By always keeping to the northern sides of the ridges you keep the most interesting views.
The same hike in the winter period is certainly very striking. Marvellous, the view of the north-eastern ridge that you can enjoy from the Peschio delle Ciavole over Monte Pozzotello.
Variants and alternatives
Notes on effort and difficulty
Frequently asked questions
How long does the hike to Monte Crepacuore from Campo Catino take?
The hike to Monte Crepacuore from Campo Catino, out and back, takes about 4 hours for 10.4 km and 496 metres of total height gain. On the way back you can add the climb to the nearby Monte Pozzotello (1995 m).
Is Monte Crepacuore difficult?
No, it is graded E (escursionistico, a hiking path on the CAI scale) and has no difficulties worth mentioning. The path is obvious and marked with red-and-white paint marks, suitable for youngsters from 11 years too. With snow the same round becomes more demanding.
