IT 2.14 CUCCO GROUP

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The itinerary starts in the locality of Val di Ranco, a well-known holiday resort. (1)
Follow for a short stretch the s.229 (3), which descends into the Valle di Rio Freddo, to be left immediately after the picnic area at the first fork, to the left, for s.225 (1) towards the beech forest, the "Mother of Beeches" and from the name itself you can understand that the area is characterized by specimens, imposing and majestic with huge roots, tall trunks accompanied by the airiness and cleanliness of the undergrowth. (2,3,4,5)
After a gate continue until you find, on the left, a trail marker indicating the start of s.226 (2) where you turn and climb until you exit the woods. (6,7,8,9,10,11)
The clearing is rich with dog rose, hornbeam, juniper, hawthorn (one of remarkable size). (12,13)
Continue keeping to the left below the poles until you come out onto the meadow and cross the paved road which, to the right, leads to Pian di Monte where you can see the entire Sigillo valley, Gualdo Tadino up to Mt. Subasio. (14,15,16)
Here there is a very well-known hang gliding launch site across Europe. (17)
Continue, always following s.226 (2), arriving at the entrance of the Cave, one of Italy's deepest and partially visitable. (18,19,20,21)
On the left of the entrance climb passing through a hole, then over steep rocks until the path levels; then climb, on the left, with s.239 (14) to the summit and return again to s.226 (2) continuing left along the mid-slope of the NNW slope. (22,23,24,25,26,27,28)
Having crossed s.228 (2c), which comes from the cave's north exit, continue until entering a beech forest. Upon reaching the intersection with 227 (2b) and 240 (15) take right, always with s.226 (2), descending into the ancient beech forest, b. 227 (2b) of Val Rachena until reaching Pian delle Macinare. (29,30,31,32,33,34)
Turn right on the paved road which runs for about 500 meters alongside the beautiful meadow with the Refuge, then, at the fork with 230 (4), which goes left, begin s.225 (1), a nice and classic route that, always through beech forest, leads to Val di Ranco. (35,36,37,38,39)
With this itinerary you reach Passo del Lupo (viewpoint over the Forra di Rio Freddo) and shortly after b.241 (16) leave s.225 (1) to descend left with s.242 (17) into the underlying Valle di Rio Freddo. (40,41,42,43)
A stream with clear and uncontaminated waters that further on gave rise to a canyon with a continuous series of small waterfalls where canyoning is practiced. (44)
Crossing the stream ascend, on the left with s.229 (3), to Passo della Porraia where, a little higher on the left, there is a commemorative plaque placed on September 28, 1957 in memory of Don Erminio Petruio, from Fabriano, teacher and educator, very active hiker, founder of the Sports Society Excelsior which, together with S.E.F. (Fabrian Hikers Society), gave rise to this activity in the early 1900s. (45,46)
From the Pass (forks with 275 (18) to the left, and 136B straight ahead) climb right with s.136D (11) always keeping the ridge especially after some outcropping rocks (trail marker), climbing on the left without continuing on the path that goes straight flat toward the woods. (47,48)
From the summit continue walking on a beautiful and panoramic ridge with the Valle di S. Pietro, on the right, a name deriving from the Hermitage of San Pietro Orticheto from which no remains exist. (49,50)
At the saddle descend to the left on a steep slope with s.236 (10) that skirts the M. Culumeo mid-slope, surpasses s.136 (which descends to Rucce) and climbs up to the well-known "Passo Cattivo", a name given long ago by travelers due to the difficulty to cross it; an important communication route between Umbria and Marche. (51,52,53,54,55)
Continue with 236 (10) until b.136A (which descends to Viacce) proceeding shortly after on a grassy slope with small shrub areas until the path is lost then head directly towards the overlying saddle between M. Culumeo and M. Montarone where the northern hang gliders launch point is located. (56,57,58,59)
On the dirt road turn right following the signs for s.236 (10) until the Tourist Village of Val di Ranco. (60,61)