Introduction: A simple hike that can take you, without too many problems and without enormous effort, to a considerable altitude (2419 m) on the summit of Pizzo di Sevo. However, the mountain holds no great surprises as far as the landscape is concerned. The detour towards Monte di Mezzo del Sevo (2139 m) is, on the other hand, much more interesting, although it requires an extra effort to go down to this summit and then climb back up when it's time to head home. The ascent of Pizzo di Sevo is far more striking in the winter months.
Route features: No waymarking, an intuitive route along the ridge that leads to Pizzo di Sevo. With no traces of path, you need to pay close attention if the fog comes down.
Pizzo di Sevo is in the Monti della Laga, within the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park.
From Macchie Piane you can also set off on the hike to Macera della Morte.
Route description
The road leads almost as far as Macchie Piane, a grassy clearing that is in fact a beautiful balcony over the Monti Reatini. The panorama is very wide, though not much suited to striking photographs. Pizzo di Sevo is right in front of us; its imposing but rounded bulk does not let us see its summit completely. You carry on along scant traces of path which, past a band of woodland, soon abandon us completely. Beyond the wooded band you can admire a wide valley, which we skirt towards the South-East. Past the valley you head North-East, where it is easy to make out the ridge of Pizzo di Sevo. From here you can enjoy a good view of the nearby Cima Lepri and the more distant Monte Gorzano. The climb along the ridge is monotonous and tiring, and ends at a summit with a big metal cross. The return by the same way is absolutely simple and free of any mountaineering difficulty.
Variants and alternatives
A possible variant for the collectors of the 2000-metre summits of the Apennines is to go down northwards to the saddle that forms between the Sevo and the Pizzitello. Here a broad spur runs down to the nearby summit of Monte di Mezzo del Sevo (2139 m) which gives us a truly unusual and striking view of the North-Eastern side of Pizzo di Sevo.
This secondary summit is so solitary that it makes an excellent place to rest in the open air before heading back to the cars. For this variant you need to add 2.8 kilometres out and back to the whole route, for a total of over 10 kilometres.
Notes on effort and difficulty
Visitor centres and accommodation
Frequently asked questions
Is the path to Pizzo di Sevo waymarked?
No, there is no waymarking, and beyond the band of woodland the traces of path disappear. The route follows the ridge intuitively, but if the fog comes down you need to pay close attention to your navigation.
How long is the normal route to Pizzo di Sevo?
From Macchie Piane it is about 7.4 km, with 800 m of height gain and about 5 hours 30 minutes. The variant to Monte di Mezzo del Sevo adds 2.8 km there and back and about 300 m of height gain.
