Introduction: A real classic of a hike on one of the most beautiful mountains of the Simbruini mountain group. A varied route that can give you strong sensations, with wide, never monotonous views. This hike is very satisfying in autumn, and the scenery is superb in the winter months, when the snow cover makes the setting extremely evocative.
Route features: On summer ground the route is well marked out and there are no particular difficulties to overcome. In winter the same route can turn into a genuine mountaineering route, where you need to know how to use crampons and an ice axe.
The initial mule track passes the Fonte della Moscosa, which is also handy as a picnic area.
Route description
This route is in fact the normal route up Monte Viglio. At the Valico di Serra Sant'Antonio, where you have left the car on the wide open area, a tourist sign in a very poor state of repair stands at the edge of a mule track, which we will follow without difficulty to the Fonte della Moscosa, a drinking trough you can make out even in the winter months under the heavy layer of snow. Just before the trough you turn left, keeping (eastwards); past some large trees, after a short climb you come out onto a wide open grassy meadow. You cross the meadow on traces of path to its wooded edge, gradually climbing the ridge. You pass among the trees, climbing up to the Madonnina di Civitella Roveto, where a black cross stands. Here you can plan a first sandwich/water stop, ahead of the bigger effort of reaching 2000 metres.
From the madonnina the traces of path become even clearer and the climb gets more physically demanding. Past a first sloping grassy ridge (which in winter becomes an interesting slab of ice and snow) we arrive below the bulk of the Monti Cantari. The rocky ramparts and the view are beautiful: unequalled in winter. Keeping roughly to the crest of the ridge, you reach the Gendarme. It is a rocky spur that you can get past by going over the top (grade I moves) or by skirting round its foot on the northern side. Past the Gendarme a last small effort is needed to climb to the summit, where a large electric-blue cross (2006) towers.
The Gendarme passage is perhaps the most controversial point in winter. It is a delicate passage. Inexperienced hikers can easily avoid it by passing below the Gendarme; it should be remembered, however, that the most dangerous point is the last traverse leading from the Gendarme to the summit: in winter the traverse is covered with an extremely slippery sheet of verglas. A fall on this traverse could have irreparable consequences, and we advise hikers without adequate equipment (minimum: crampons and ice axe) against it.
Variants and alternatives
A variant that is often used is to join the crest of the Cantari ridge not from the Madonnina di Civitella Roveto but by crossing the wood from the Fonte della Moscosa in a south-westerly direction.
Notes on effort and difficulty
Visitor centres and accommodation
Frequently asked questions
How hard is the climb to Monte Viglio from Serra Sant'Antonio?
In summer the route is E+ (CAI scale: E = hiking path, the + marks the upper end of the grade): a well-marked path, no particular difficulties, and the Gendarme can be bypassed. In winter it becomes EEA- (Escursionisti Esperti con Attrezzatura: experienced hikers with equipment, lower end of the grade) because of the last icy traverse towards the summit, where crampons and an ice axe are compulsory.
Can you do Monte Viglio with youngsters?
The fact sheet gives it for ages 11-14, but only on summer ground. It takes about 5 hours 30 minutes and 850 metres of ascent; in winter the route is not recommended for anyone without equipment and experience.
