Monte Avella

Start at Rifugio Acqua delle Vene, in the WWF oasis on the Pannarano (north) side of the range. The Via delle Crocelle, an old logging track with switchbacks and old snow pits, climbs through beech forest to the paved service road to the Toppa Riviezzo telecom mast at about 1,400 m. Just before the mast join the Sentiero Italia CAI (S14), which follows the main Partenio crest from about 1,500 m. The ridge path runs west with only small rises and dips past 'Il Termine', a boundary stone of 1840 between Pannarano and Sperone, to the Acerone (Monti di Avella), the highest point of the range at 1,598 m, with a summit register. There are a few short stretches along the edge of the southern escarpment, otherwise the walking is easy. Continue a short way west to Ciesco Bianco (1,589 m) and the Cima Valle di Piedimonte, the 'belvedere' (1,582 m), which has the widest view: Vesuvius, the Bay of Naples and Capri, the Picentini, Taburno and Matese. From the belvedere a short traverse north leads onto CAI path 227, which descends steeply through the forest to the Quattro Vie junction; this is the section needing most care, especially on snow. Return to Acqua delle Vene on CAI 208 or the paved road. CAI Benevento allows 6 hours for the 10 km loop including stops. Fallen trees on the ridge west of the summit have been reported.