Risima and French Beaches-Marcellino Valley-Monte Bulghería

Introduction

This route was traveled on April 5, 2024, and all subsequent observations and considerations are fully valid only for that day.

↓

From the Ciolandrea Plateau to Risima Beach and Marcellino Beach or French Beach, with a detour to Timpa del Piombo

This section is very clear and well marked, especially for Marcellino Beach.

From the Ciolandrea Plateau, you go downhill on a small road-mule track to the signposted junction for Timpa del Piombo, and then on a path with beautiful sea views.

You continue to the “mule’s back” of the ridge dividing the inlets of the two beaches, with a nice viewpoint over both just before.

For Risima Beach, the descent path is narrower but always clearly identifiable.

A couple of short steeper sections are assisted by steps.

Most of this beach is sandy: today a swim❗🏊

For Marcellino Beach or French Beach, continue right from the “mule’s back,” descend to the junction with the path that climbs the Marcellino Valley, and finally down the easy channel of the small stream.

This beach is less sandy than the other: today a snack❗🍔

↓

Ascent of the Marcellino Valley from Marcellino Beach or French Beach to San Giovanni a Piro

Returning to the final junction, continue on the path flowing to the right uphill or the left hydrographic side of the riverbed.

The first lower part is in the woods, then gradually the forest becomes less continuous and opens to an open field still well inside the valley.

The trail is always easy and obvious, with CAI-style markings, red dots, and even some small cairns.

The initial direction is more or less west, then the Marcellino Valley turns north and the path—so far always high relative to the valley floor—descends into the basin to cross it.

Here the path continues uphill towards the west in the direction of the area indicated as Pietra Tagliata on maps and the exit around km 21 of SR 562.

This is the point where the path is abandoned and ascent continues inside the streambed.

The environment is truly “fascinating and surprising.”

It is surprising for the ease of progression, as it is rare to find such a long stretch without jumps and not tiring at all given the very low slope from here on.

It is wide enough so that shrubs and brambles on the side do not “close” and obstruct passage.

It is narrow enough to create an almost “gorge-like” setting.

The charm lies in the “wild combinations” between the rich vegetation and the base and side rocks, with lighting variations at every turn due to changes in sun orientation—and sometimes there is a small depression that with water would certainly be a “crystal-clear pond.”

In short, it is fun and for a long time.

Obviously, it should be done if no recent rain has occurred: today it was dry and all enjoyable, but with water it may easily become impassable.

Towards the end it suddenly narrows to a ditch for a few meters “running into” an impassable drop.

At that point, on the right, the forested side is not difficult and a trail comfortably bypasses the drop.

You immediately re-enter the very flat streambed, which is soon accompanied by a small path and later fades into the undulations of the wide exit valley under the forest.

You cross a couple of small roads coming from the left and continue on a small road-mule track partially a bit broken by deep footprints of cows and goats.

About 300-500 meters as the crow flies before reaching SR 562 (depending on which direction you want to take) there is a fork of small roads.

If you go straight, it is the shortest but we saw a section still somewhat broken by footprints of cows and goats.

We decided to turn left on better ground but widening the exit towards SR 562, with about 500 meters less on natural ground and more on asphalt.

At that point, “leash for the four-legged child” 🐕 and forward to the entrance of San Giovanni a Piro where the ascent paths to Monte Bulgheria begin.

↓

Loop ascent to Monte Bulgheria from San Giovanni a Piro

We decided to ascend via CAI 817 because we had already climbed Monte Bulgheria from the other path starting from the San Giovanni a Piro Municipal Stadium—see route → Monte Bulghería-Tozzo del Moio-Tozzo del Finocchio-Sentiero della Tragara.

The entire first part up to the Iazzo Montagna area is on an easy small road.

You continue on the same small road for about 550 meters reaching an altitude of about 865/870 meters.

Here you leave onto the right slope: today there were no signs, and you need to identify small red dots painted on stones on the ground.

Attention is needed on the first short diagonals in the open field to follow the dots well (there are also a couple of small arrows).

You enter a small wood where the trail on the ground is a bit clearer, and then emerge into an open airy finale.

Here again, watch for red dots and various small cairns to keep the most regular lines.

You reach a left hairpin turn for the last long diagonal bypassing the band of rocks just below the summit of Monte Bulgheria which is not yet visible.

Once on the summit ridge with Tozzo del Moio and Rifugio Tozzo del Moio opposite, turn right and shortly arrive at the summit with a large cairn and San Francesco.

Then very easily proceed to the Middle Summit and Eastern Summit where there is the best view towards the Gulf of Policastro (today partially obscured by clouds at our arrival time).

For the descent, we retraced the first part of the above-mentioned route.

This upper part is also open with few red dots indicating the best lines, but the slope has no real jumps and even if you stray a little you find your way back.

Knowing it, at the beginning we “went by eye” 👁️ until reaching the first sparse wood.

From there, we realigned with the more evident CAI-style markings and continued (with a few small route shortcuts) until entering a denser forest area where the ground path becomes continuous and obvious.

Now about 2/3 of the elevation remains to the San Giovanni a Piro Municipal Stadium, which “can be done on autopilot” without fear of getting lost.

Returning to SR 562, we closed the loop back to Ciolandrea on various small roads.

↓

Considerations and ... final repetitions

Full day that—as written at the beginning—can be modulated in timing without rushing, even going slowly... making sure, before departure, to have kilometers and elevation in your legs❗😉

The Marcellino Valley is not difficult but there must be no water in the upper basin.

From the Ciolandrea Plateau, it is possible to visit other beaches with more difficult routes—see route → Sentieri della Costa della Masseta-Spiaggia della Carcarella e dei Gabbiani.