Colle Cosimo, Colle Capanne e Monte Morrone

The nature of Sabina is a wonderful nature, at times wild and uncontaminated, the small villages that surround the countryside and the mountains, frame the splendor of the landscape; the seasons are the vivid expression of blooms and harvests. Many hills and heights that can be seen and with little effort reached by car and then continue on foot along paths and woods. In this selection of itineraries dedicated to the mountains, we have foreseen some, to arouse curiosity and to give the input to a wider possibility of routes and journeys. The strength of the Sabina landscape enraptures and gratifies, giving breath and relief, like a cure for the ills of progress and everyday life, you slow down and observe the surroundings, as if wanting to immerse yourself in the colors and lightness.

The first itinerary includes two hills and a mountain: Colle Cosimo, Colle Capanne and Monte Morrone.

Clothing: Boots, windbreaker, hat, rain gear (possibly a full change of clothes), drinking water

The heights involved are the true “gateway” to the SW side. Very interesting as an itinerary since it includes almost all climate zones. Although well shaded and not recommended in midsummer or during periods of drought. There are no fountains.

Itinerary

By car from Poggio Mirteto, go up towards the hamlet of San Valentino, along the asphalt road. When the asphalt road ends, right at a bend on the right (with a widening and a fountain), a dirt road begins, there you can park your car and continue on foot. We are at an altitude of 494 m above sea level.

Continue on the dirt road for a few dozen meters. On the left you can glimpse a stony path going uphill, inside a holm oak forest. Take the path and after about 15 minutes of walking you arrive on a grassy saddle with a clearing. Continue downhill, always on the stony path, you reach a ditch. Cross the ditch and arrive at a crossroads. Take the central path that goes up diagonally to the left and after about 30 minutes you cross the dirt road that you left at the beginning. Immediately after, on the left, a wide mule track climbs towards the southern crest of Colle Capanne. Towards the south you can admire the Tiber valley and you can see the Lecretili Mountains chain. At the top of Colle Capanne (about 50 minutes) you go back down towards the west, you follow a fence, leaving the woodland always on the right. You arrive at a large open area and you continue between clearings, woodland areas and mixed scrub. Finally you arrive at the forepeak of Monte Morrone. Continuing for about an hour and twenty minutes, you arrive at the actual summit of Monte Morrone.

(thanks to Alberto Casazza who with his precious book of Sabine itineraries contributed to the creation of this route)