Monte Faiatella and Monte Cervati from the bridge over Vallone del Persico

Premise

This route was hiked on May 9, 2021, and all subsequent observations and considerations may fully apply only to that day.

↓

Ascent to Monte Faiatella from the bridge over Vallone del Persico along SP 18

From the parking area, the ascent is easy, first along a wide mule track and then a small path, up to the Valico di Croce della Mezzana, which separates Vallone del Persico from Valle della Mezzana.

From the pass, turn right: a very long traverse begins that climbs up to the ridge line on the west side of Monte Faiatella, initially heading north and then northwest.

In the first part the path is well marked in the woods, then in the open field and in crossing a couple of wooded patches there are multiple faint tracks which should be carefully assessed to avoid some short ups and downs of a few meters to return to the correct level of the traverse: nothing serious.

Once on the ridge line on the west side of Monte Faiatella there are no more traces of human paths up to the summit, but there is still a logical walk following the terrain's shape.

↓

From Monte Faiatella to Monte Cervati

From the summit of Monte Faiatella we descended initially heading north-northeast: this is exactly the direction of the view towards the summit of Monte Cervati.

After a few dozen meters in the open, you enter the woods on the left and continue always just to the left of the ridge line on that side of Monte Faiatella.

In this higher wooded section there is a very thin path with switchbacks that helps those ascending, which we verified on a previous ascent: it is not easy to notice on the descent.

Thus, on the descent we went down following a free initial line (further left than the ascent tracks) until the ridge turns from north-northeast to north-northwest – at this point you meet a better marked path which, with some parallel multiple traces, leads to a CAI path at a crossroads with several signs including “Ruscio di Vallivona” and “Santuario Madonna della Neve”.

From this important crossroads we always followed well-marked CAI paths passing through the large picnic area at Ruscio di Vallivona locality, then taking the Sentiero Italia towards “La Nevera”, and finally the usual route to the summit of Monte Cervati.

The GPS track of the end is adapted to the snow present, therefore it does not follow the optimal summer line.

↓

Return to the start from Monte Cervati summit descending via the Capo di Testa ridge

For this excursion we chose the descent along the beautiful Capo di Testa ridge, which closes one of the two sides of Vallone Fornillo.

As mentioned at the beginning, it is “steep-ish” but there is always room to place your feet without needing to use your hands.

Towards the end you cut right to cross Vallone Fornillo and join the CAI 510 trail from which, with a couple of possible final variants, you arrive at the picnic area where short hikes start towards the spectacular Inghiottitoio di Vallivona (see the route → Monte Cervati via Capo di Testa with Inghiottitoio di Vallivona).

To finish, you first follow a section of the dirt road that leads to the picnic area; then just before joining the Monte Cervati roadway you take a wide path that shortens the route by avoiding several hairpin turns of the following road; and finally 3.5 km on road that we covered in just over 40 minutes: all fits well for a hike with many interesting features.