Introduction: the hiking route to Monte Orsello starting from the Ristorante della Vecchia Miniera is certainly one of those routes that are not too long and call for modest physical effort. There are no technical difficulties to overcome, and even in poor visibility it's easy to find the route again. Although the hike does not lead to very high altitudes (just 2043 m on the summit of Monte Orsello), the walk along the broad ridge of the mountain offers wide views in every direction.
Wide views over the surrounding mountains of the group and over the Piana di Campo Felice. An unusual, particular and curious exposure to the sunlight makes the hike very appealing to photographers.
Route characteristics: a path that is clearly visible in its lower part, with very scarce waymarking, little height gain and accessible to young hikers from 8 years of age.
Another way up is described in Monte Orsello (2043 m) from Valico della Crocetta.
Route description
With the restaurant in front of you, head left, where you'll find a wide dirt road that will take you up to about 1650 m. The dirt road passes near the old bauxite mine; nothing particularly striking, but it's a place that tells the story of the recent exploitation of these mountains (like the other mines on the Gran Sasso).
After the first stretch on the dirt road you start to lose the traces of path. You instinctively follow the ridge on traces of a poorly marked path. The path climbs ever more steeply until it reaches 2000 m, where wide humps and dolines alternate. At the first cairn on the ridge you can see the summit of Monte Orsello in the distance. From here on, modest ups and downs mark the last stretch of the route to the summit proper.
All along the ridge it's magnificent to be able to look out towards nearby Monte Cefalone (to the east) and further into the Velino mountain group towards Monte Puzzillo and the Cornacchia (to the west).
This route can be done both in snow and in the milder seasons, and it always offers something new. It's wonderful, though, in winter, when the contrasts between sky and earth are heightened by the snow and the clear, clean air.
Variants and alternatives
Here we describe only one alternative descent route, which runs through the woods on the north-eastern side of the mountain. The track is open and leads towards the old mine, passing short stretches of wood alternating with large cleared areas. In winter this descent, although more evocative than the way up, can be a trap of deep snow that is tiring to walk through.
Notes on effort and difficulty
No technical or route-finding difficulty.
Accessible to children too in summer.
Visitor centres and accommodation
Caseificio di Casamaina (cheese dairy).
Stories from this hike
How it really went: the trip reports written after the hike.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the hike to Monte Orsello from the Vecchia Miniera take?
The loop takes about 5 hours 30 minutes with 550 m of total ascent. You climb a wide dirt road up to about 1650 m, passing near the old bauxite mine, then follow the ridge to the summit.
Is Monte Orsello suitable for children?
Yes, in summer the route is accessible to children from 8 years old: it has no technical difficulties and requires modest physical effort. In winter the descent through the woods on the north-eastern side can become tiring because of deep snow.