Introduction: A route in a little-frequented setting that leads to the summit of Monte Magnola. The advantage of this route is that, for most of the way, you avoid the hideous sight of the ski runs that irreparably devastate the mountain as it slopes down towards Ovindoli.
A little-frequented hiking route in an unspoilt natural setting. Not too tiring and with plenty of breathing space.
Route features: the route follows a waymarked path as far as the edge of the wood; outside the wood the traces are less evident and you carry on fairly intuitively, though with a map and trekking poles with you. Demanding only for the length of the route.
The Magnola is part of the Monte Sirente e Velino Regional Park.
The buttresses of the Magnola and the Sentinella can also be admired on the way up to Cimata Fossa dei Cavalli from Forme.
Route description
Start from Vado del Ceraso. Park near the wide bend at Vado del Ceraso. On the left take path no. 10, marked by an obvious signpost for the Magnola. The path, first over wide open grassy slopes and then inside the wood, is if anything over-marked with red-and-white waymarks. With repeated, continuous hairpins you soon leave the wood. A great view over the Piani di Pezza and Piano del Ceraso and over the Costa delle Cerasa.
Costa dei Velchi. Out of the wood at around 1850 m the route becomes less steep and heads onto a broad ridge, marked on maps as the Costa dei Velchi, until you reach an obvious cairn with a wide, majestic view of the Magnola group and of the hollow below called I Campi della Magnola. From the cairn the continuation of the path is practically before your eyes and offers a double alternative; both take the same time but differ in the effort they ask of you and in the emotion they give back.
Monte Magnola (2220 m). From the saddle where the two alternatives of the recommended route meet, a steep but short climb takes you to the rocky summit of the Magnola. A modest cross, perched over the drop to the glacial hollow below, marks the end of the route. The view of the steep faces of the group is stunning.
Monte Sentinella (2178 m). From the summit of the Magnola, if there is still energy in your legs for one more km, over easy grassy slopes and slightly downhill you reach the very visible Rifugio Panei. The hut is open, but watch out for the state of abandonment and danger of its interior. Nearby, to the south-west, marked by a modest cairn of stones, is the summit of Monte Sentinella, a natural balcony over the Valle Majelama below and the Costa Stellata opposite.
The return is by the same route as the way up
Variants and alternatives
Alternative A: you carry on along path 10. From the cairn continue along the obvious ridge path bearing left, to the saddle in front of you, from which tight, obvious hairpins climb onto the ridge of the first buttresses of the Magnola, unnamed on maps, height 2172 m. This fore-summit of the Magnola offers, in very good visibility, a wonderful balcony with a view over the whole Velino group to the west and north-west and over Monte Rotondo opposite, with behind it, in the distance, the summits of the Prena and the Camicia, the last eastern offshoots of the majestic Gran Sasso range. Carry on downhill to the saddle below, the end point of alternative route B.
Alternative B: line of ascent: the broad gully in front of you, which climbs straight up to the ridge. A more mountaineering-style route and more satisfying, though more tiring; it needs a minimum of experience of moving in the mountains and good stamina. From the cairn continue along the ridge but without climbing and, trying to keep your height, go round the Campi della Magnola until you cross, pathless and on a diagonal line, the wide rubble slopes that come straight down from the summit ridges. Reach the huge boulders in front of you and climb the broad, well-marked scree gully that will take you straight to the saddle.
From the saddle carry on along the ridge path.
Notes on effort and difficulty
Visitor centres and accommodation
Frequently asked questions
How long is the hike to Monte Magnola from Vado del Ceraso?
About 7 hours 30 minutes in all, for 14 km (7 out and 7 back) and 780 metres of ascent. You come back the same way and there are few chances to shorten it.
Where do you park to climb the Magnola from Vado del Ceraso?
You leave the car near the wide bend at Vado del Ceraso. On the left path no. 10 starts, marked by a sign for the Magnola and waymarked red-and-white as far as the edge of the wood.
