Mount Circeo
541 m
Italy
Also known as Circeo, Monte Circeo, +2Also known as
Circeo · Monte Circeo · mont Circé · Монте Чирчео
- Elevation
- 541 m
- Prominence
- 522 m
- Difficulty
- 4/10
- Alpine hike
- Best Season
- Oct–Nov
- Routes
- 1
Path closedReported 4 Apr 2026
Trail 750 between Torre Paola and the Picco di Circe is closed in both directions indefinitely under ordinance no. 22/2024 because of hydrogeological instability at Carbonaia (confirmed in the municipality's notice of 4 April 2026).
comune.sanfelicecirceo.lt.it
Routes
1Sources differ: EE (CAI) (Comune di San Felice Circeo)
The only currently permitted way to the Picco di Circe: from the Crocette car park above San Felice Circeo (334 m), trail 750 runs through woods past the Fortino Creta Rossa and then along the narrow limestone crest of the promontory, with hands-on steps and big drops to the sea, to the 541 m summit. Graded EE; in 2026 it could be walked only with a qualified guide from 3 April to 30 September.
About 0% of this line is approximate (no mapped trail; drawn from the terrain). Check it against a map before relying on it.
Why? 2 check notes
- ascent 365 m is 1.9× the net gain 194 m: the line probably detours down and back up (not a traverse)
- unresolved waypoints: Fortino Creta Rossa
Elevation Profile
- Distance
- 4.2 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +365 m
- −171 m lost on the way up
- High Point
- 541 m
- Time Up
- 2h 05m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 1h 49m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From the centre of San Felice Circeo drive or walk up to the Piazzale delle Crocette (334 m). Trail 750 is signed from the car park: a shaded section through the woods leads to the round Fortino Creta Rossa, then the path follows the ridge of the promontory westwards with views over the sea, the Pontine plain, the islands, the Gulf of Gaeta and the Lepini, Ausoni and Aurunci mountains. It is the longest but most gradual approach to the top. The ridge is rocky and in places narrow and exposed, with small rock steps that need hands, and near the summit the path runs along the edge of cliffs dropping straight into the sea. It is not suitable for anyone prone to vertigo. The summit, the Picco di Circe (541 m), is the highest point of the promontory. Descend the same way; the classic direct path down to Torre Paola on the coast is closed. The municipality of San Felice Circeo classifies the trail as EE (for experienced hikers). Under Mayor's Ordinance no. 30 of 3 April 2026 the Crocette–Picco section could be walked only with a qualified guide (alpine guides, mid-mountain leaders, environmental hiking guides, CAI leaders and others) until 30 September 2026, after several rescues of lost hikers; check whether a new ordinance applies before going. Carry plenty of water: there are no springs and summer temperatures exceed 30 °C.
Start
Piazzale delle Crocette348 m
- Regional Cotral buses run to San Felice Circeo from Latina and Terracina (not verified against a timetable); the Crocette car park is a steep walk above the town.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Piazzale delle Crocette → Picco di Circe | 4.2 | 365 | 171 | 2h 05m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Piazzale delle Crocette348 m
- Shoulder: Monte Circello444 m
Intermediate top on the ridge (OSM name)
- Summit: Picco di Circe541 m
Key Passages
- Fortino Creta Rossa
- Rocky ridge with hands-on steps
- Exposed path above the sea cliffs below the summit
Equipment
0/5 packedDownloads
Route confidence 60%Overview
A limestone promontory rising 541 m straight out of the Tyrrhenian Sea at the south end of the Pontine plain, home of the sorceress Circe in the Odyssey. The ridge walk to its summit is short but exposed, and access is restricted by municipal ordinance.
Monte Circeo is an isolated limestone ridge that juts into the sea at the southern end of the Pontine plain, rising almost from sea level to 541 m. It forms the heart of Circeo National Park. The inland side is wooded; the seaward side drops in cliffs, and caves at its foot include the Grotta Guattari, where a Neanderthal skull was found.
The summit, the Picco di Circe (541 m), is the highest point at the western end of the ridge. The views are wide: the sea and the Pontine Islands, the Gulf of Gaeta, the coastal lakes and dunes of the park and the Lepini, Ausoni and Aurunci mountains inland.
Despite its low height the mountain is not a stroll. The only trail to the top is graded EE, with rough limestone, hands-on steps and exposed sections above sheer drops, and summer heat is intense. The classic direct route from Torre Paola on the coast has been closed since 2024 because of a landslide at Carbonaia, and in 2026 the ridge route from Le Crocette was open only to guided groups from April to September after repeated rescues.
Climbing Notes
Go only with sure footing and a head for heights; the route is unsuitable for anyone with vertigo. Before going, check the current ordinance of the Comune di San Felice Circeo: in 2026 the Crocette–Picco section required a qualified guide from 3 April to 30 September (fines of €25–500 and possible criminal charges for breaches), and the Torre Paola–Picco section is closed indefinitely. Local guiding cooperatives and park-recognised guides run walks to the summit. Avoid midday in summer, carry plenty of water and allow for rough rocky ground on the descent. The best conditions are on clear, cool days from autumn to spring.
History
In Homer's Odyssey this was the home of the sorceress Circe, who turned Odysseus's companions into swine. The Grotta Guattari at the foot of the promontory yielded a Neanderthal skull. Today the promontory is the core of Circeo National Park, and the Torre Paola coastal tower stands at its western foot.
Season
Best Oct–Nov- January: Good
- February: Good
- March: Best
- April: Good
- May: Good
- June: Possible
- July: Possible
- August: Possible
- September: Good
- October: Best (best window)
- November: Best (best window)
- December: Good
- Jan
- Mild; check that no restriction applies
- Mar
- Cool and clear; before the seasonal guide-only rule (2026: from 3 April)
- Apr
- Guide required in 2026 (3 April–30 September)
- May
- Guide required in 2026
- Jun
- Hot; guide required in 2026
- Jul
- Very hot; guide required in 2026
- Aug
- Very hot; guide required in 2026
- Sep
- Guide required in 2026 until 30 September
- Oct
- Cooler; check for a new ordinance
- Dec
- Rain and wind possible; rock slippery when wet
Access & Permits
- Rules
- Trail 750 Torre Paola–Picco di Circe is closed in both directions with no end date (San Felice Circeo ordinance no. 22/2024) because of slope instability at Carbonaia
- Mayor's Ordinance no. 30 of 3 April 2026 allowed the Crocette–Picco di Circe section only with a qualified guide (alpine guides, mid-mountain leaders, environmental hiking guides, CAI leaders, CNSAS and recognised guide associations) until 30 September 2026; fines of €25–500 apply. Similar seasonal restrictions were reported in 2025; check for a new ordinance
- The mountain lies in Circeo National Park; park rules apply (stay on marked trails)
- Getting There
San Felice Circeo
Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
- Car: from Rome via the SS148 Pontina towards Latina and Terracina, then to San Felice Circeo and up to the Piazzale delle Crocette
- Train to Latina or Monte San Biagio–Terracina, then regional bus to San Felice Circeo (not verified)
Hazards
- Exposure
- Rockfall
- Weather