Another possible itinerary is the Gole dell’Infernaccio and the Hermitage of San Leonardo. Once in Montemonaco you head out of town towards Montegallo and just 500 meters outside town you follow the signs for Rubbiano, after about 8 km you will arrive at the crossroads leading to the parking lot at the start of the route. A further 2km and you will arrive at a  clearing that culminates in two concrete blocks indicating the end of vehicle access. After parking, continue straight and take the gravel road for 800 meters slightly downhill, this leads to the entrance to the Infernaccio gorge. Still descending you will find yourself crossing streams coming from your left, the direction of Monte Zampa, which will end up at the bottom of the valley, flowing into the precipice. Continuing, you will arrive at the famous drop waterfalls, called Pisciarelle  a phenomenon due to the particular morphology of that side of Monte Zampa where the water gathers and disperses downstream in a completely unique way. At this point you are in front of the entrance to the gorge. There is an artificial tunnel located next to the entrance to the Infernaccio Gorge. The man made tunnel facilitates the passage of tools, vehicles and livestock but does slightly spoil the natural beauty of the site. Thus begins the path that climbs between rocks and vegetation of various types, crossing the stream first over a wooden bridge and then with ascents and descents that may discourage novice hikers. Don’t worry, it is not nearly as bad as it seems! The path gradually evens out into comfortable trails hat are much more manageable. After this first part of the walk, you enter a beech forest, after a few hundred meters you will reach a crossroads (the first of several similar crossroads) where you may choose your destination. If you choose to go right, you will arrive at the Hermitage of San Leonardo, choose to go straight and you will head towards Capotenna, the source of the Tenna river. Both destinations are easily accessible, however the shorter route is the one that climbs towards the Hermitage and is the destination of several thousand tourists every year.

Come arrivarci

The Gole dell’Infernaccio are a striking natural canyon in the Sibillini Mountains, crossed by the Tenna River, perfect for hikes through woods, waterfalls, and the Hermitage of San Leonardo.

SibilliniWeb – Il Portale Turistico del Parco Monti Sibillini