Monte San Vicino
1,484 m
Italy
Also known as mont San Vicino, Монте Сан ВисиноAlso known as
mont San Vicino · Монте Сан Висино
- Elevation
- 1,484 m
- Prominence
- 1,102 m
- Difficulty
- 2/10
- Hike
- Best Season
- Apr–Jun
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1Sources differ: E (CAI) (viaggiesorrisi.com)
A short, steep walk from the meadows on the south side of the mountain: path 112A climbs through beech forest and then over rocky ground with a few narrow stretches above steep drops to the big iron cross and antennas on the summit. About 260–300 m of ascent and 1.6 km; 30–50 minutes up.
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 1.8 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +300 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 1,484 m
- Time Up
- 1h 13m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 49m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
Drive to the Prati di San Vicino, the broad meadows south of the summit, and park along the road. Cross the fenced meadow and enter the beech wood on path 112A (the 'Sentiero Matelica'), which climbs steadily north through the trees. Out of the wood the view opens over the upper Esino valley, and the last part is a rocky path with a few narrow sections above steep drops. The large iron cross stands near the top; the summit with antennas and relay masts is just beyond, with a view across the Marche from the Adriatic to the Sibillini, Monte Catria and Monte Cucco. Allow 30–50 minutes up and about 25 minutes down by the same path. Longer approaches climb from just above Pian dell'Elmo on the north side (paths 173C/173D, about 470–550 m of ascent): at about 1,200 m the path forks into a steep, open 'direttissima' and a more gradual main path that leaves the forest about 100 m below the summit.
Start
Prati di San Vicino1,184 m
- No practical public transport to the Prati di San Vicino; nearest towns are Apiro, Cingoli and Matelica.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prati di San Vicino → Monte San Vicino | 1.8 | 300 | 0 | 1h 13m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Prati di San Vicino1,184 m
- Summit: Monte San Vicino1,484 m
Key Passages
- Beech forest on path 112A
- Rocky final section with a few narrow, exposed stretches
Equipment
0/4 packedDownloads
Route confidence 70%Overview
An isolated limestone pyramid (1,484 m) in the Marche hills west of Ancona, visible from much of the region and topped by a large iron cross. A short beech-wood path from the Prati di San Vicino reaches the summit in under an hour, with views from the Adriatic to the Sibillini.
Monte San Vicino stands apart from the main Apennine ridges in the province of Macerata, near the border with the province of Ancona, between the valleys of the Esino, Musone and Potenza. Its shape changes with the viewpoint: a camel's hump from the south, three points from the north, and an extinct volcano from east or west. Because it is so isolated it is a landmark across the Marche, and the summit view reaches the Adriatic, the Sibillini, Monte Catria and Monte Cucco and, in clear winter air, the Dalmatian coast.
The mountain and the nearby beech forest of Canfaito, with some of the oldest beech trees in the Marche, form the Riserva naturale regionale del Monte San Vicino e del Monte Canfaito, created in 2009. The easiest ascent, from the Prati di San Vicino on the south side, takes 30–50 minutes; the meadows themselves are a traditional picnic spot on Easter Monday, 25 April and 1 May. Longer paths climb from Pian dell'Elmo on the north side, including a steep open 'direttissima'.
Near the summit stand a large iron cross and a cluster of antennas and relay masts.
Climbing Notes
An easy family outing from the Prati di San Vicino, but wear proper shoes: the upper part is rocky and has a few narrow stretches above steep drops, so keep children close. From Pian dell'Elmo allow about 3 hours for a loop with 500–550 m of ascent, and follow the red-and-white marks carefully as the forest paths can be confusing. In summer go early or late to avoid the heat; in winter the summit can be snowy, icy and windy. Wild camping is not allowed in the reserve.
History
The mountain was once also called Monte Suavicino; the name may come from a dedication to Janus as watcher over the border between the Picenes and the Umbrians. A local weather proverb says that when San Vicino 'puts on its hat' (cloud on the summit) rain is coming.
Season
Best Apr–Jun- January: Possible
- February: Possible
- March: Good
- April: Best (best window)
- May: Best (best window)
- June: Best (best window)
- July: Good
- August: Good
- September: Best
- October: Best
- November: Good
- December: Possible
- Jan
- Snow and ice possible on the rocky top
- Feb
- Snow and ice possible
- Apr
- Busy on Easter Monday and 25 April
- Jul
- Hot; go early or late
- Aug
- Hot; go early or late
- Oct
- Autumn colours in the Canfaito beech forest
- Dec
- Snow possible; short days
Access & Permits
- Rules
- Riserva naturale regionale del Monte San Vicino e del Monte Canfaito and Natura 2000 site: wild camping is forbidden; take your rubbish home
- Close gates behind you: livestock graze on the meadows
- Getting There
Apiro, Cingoli and Matelica
Ancona (AOI)
- Car: to the Prati di San Vicino on the road between Braccano/Matelica and Apiro, or to Pian dell'Elmo on the north side; park along the road
- No practical public transport to the trailheads
Hazards
- Exposure
- Weather