Did you know that the Infernaccio Gorge was carved over thousands of years by the Tenna River, creating one of the most spectacular canyons in the Sibillini Mountains? This natural gem draws thousands of adventurers every year — yet many arrive unprepared for the challenges this demanding route has in store. Drawing on our experience in Umbria, Villa Allegria guides you from Foligno to discover this extraordinary site in the Marche region. This authentic hike calls for careful preparation if you want to enjoy it to the fullest — and in complete safety.
Access to the Infernaccio Gorge begins in the municipality of Montefortino, nestled in the province of Fermo. From the village, you'll need to make your way to the hamlet of Rubbiano — the strategic starting point of your adventure. The final 2 kilometres to the Valleria car park are on an unpaved road, particularly narrow in its last 500 metres. This winding track tests your driving skills before you've even set foot on the trail, and already hints at the wild character of the site.
One of the main challenges is limited parking. In summer, weekends see hundreds of hikers descending on the area, quickly filling the car park to capacity. Arriving before 10 in the morning becomes essential to secure a spot — especially during Ferragosto, when visitor numbers peak.
For motorhome travellers, the Area Sosta Sibilla in Montefortino offers a convenient alternative, with full facilities including water, electricity and WiFi. From this base, you can plan your early morning departure to the gorge with ease.
Note: Private guided services are available for those who prefer a supported experience. Private excursions cost €250 for groups of up to 15 people, with multilingual guides speaking Italian, English and Spanish. The half-day package includes lunch at the agriturismo "Il Borghetto" (departure at 9 a.m., return by 3 p.m.). To book, call 0736 980566.
The unspoilt nature of the Infernaccio Gorge demands appropriate gear. Hiking boots with crampons are your first line of defence against slipping — particularly treacherous on the wet rock faces along the route. Without this basic precaution, accidents and frustration are almost inevitable, especially on the descent when fatigue compounds the risks. A safety helmet is mandatory in the narrower sections to protect against falling rocks (available to rent from certain sports shops in Montefortino).
The famous "Pisciarelle" — natural drip-fed waterfalls created by the particular morphology of the Monte Zampa slope — produce a shower effect at the start of the route and make waterproof clothing essential (even in summer, due to the permanent streams of water). Many hikers emerge from this first test completely soaked, compromising their comfort for the rest of the day.
Make sure to pack water and snacks in sufficient quantities. There are no services along the entire 7-kilometre route, and the only water point is located in front of the Eremo di San Leonardo. A head torch is a useful addition to your kit for early-morning starts or late returns on these unlit paths. A distress whistle is also worth bringing, to signal your position in an emergency (mobile phone coverage is limited within the gorge).
The CAI trail E9, rated Escursionistico (with an EE — Esperti Escursionisti — variant for the full 14.9 km traverse towards Frontignano, taking around 7 hours), begins with a 700 to 800-metre descent over 15 minutes from the Valleria car park. This opening section immerses you immediately in the unique atmosphere of the site, beginning with the Pisciarelle. These drip waterfalls, shaped by the particular morphology of the Monte Zampa slope, offer a refreshing natural shower that is especially welcome in summer.
Crossing the wooden bridge over the Tenna River marks your official entry into the gorge. Just beyond it, a natural cave awaits — your first test of agility on this demanding route. The artificial tunnel visible to your right, sealed off by a metal gate, is a reminder of the old passageways once used by livestock and forestry vehicles that travelled through this natural corridor.
The following 45 minutes form the highlight of your wild hike through the Infernaccio Gorge. Over roughly 1 kilometre of steep ascent between narrowing rock faces, you make your way through limestone walls that close in at times to form a tight, awe-inspiring passage. This technical section pushes your legs to their limits, while the geological spectacle takes your breath away.
The microclimate of the gorge creates a truly distinctive atmosphere: temperatures drop by 3 to 5 degrees compared to the open areas, and the constant humidity fed by the running water encourages lush vegetation. Mosses, ferns and cliff-dwelling plants colonise every crevice, creating a preserved ecosystem where raptors and small mammals nest undisturbed.
This millennia-long erosive work by the Tenna River has carved a natural passage between the Nera valley (a tributary of the Tiber) and the Tenna valley (which flows into the Adriatic) — a fascinating testament to the power of the elements.
Tip for experienced hikers: Several route variants are available for seasoned walkers. The full E9 Rubbiano–Frontignano hike covers 15 km in 4 hours. An extension to the Cascata Nascosta is possible from the main trail. The route towards Capotenna, at the source of the Tenna, is currently closed due to the risk of rockfall.
After the intense effort through the gorge, a gentler 30-minute climb over 1.5 km through the faggeta leads you to the Eremo di San Leonardo. This forest of ancient beeches offers a striking contrast to the mineral severity of the gorge below — particularly spectacular in autumn, when the foliage blazes with colour.
The hermitage, perched at 1,128 metres above sea level, has a fascinating story to tell. Father Pietro Lavini, known as "the hermit of the Sibillini", rebuilt this former Benedictine monastery with his own hands from 1971 onwards. For 48 years, until 2019, this Capuchin monk welcomed pilgrims and hikers to this place of peace.
Sadly, the earthquake of August 2016 caused serious damage to the building. The trails were closed immediately afterwards, reopened on 2 December 2017, then closed again on 20 December 2017, before being permanently reopened on 13 April 2018 by the municipality of Montefortino and the Tennacola consortium. A safety perimeter has been installed around the hermitage, which is currently closed to the public pending restoration work. The panoramic view over the Sibillini Mountains from this vantage point nonetheless remains accessible and fully justifies the 387 metres of elevation gained.
The descent demands heightened vigilance. After the exertion of the climb and the quiet contemplation at the hermitage, tired legs must navigate the rocky sections with care — made all the more treacherous by the ever-present moisture. Accident statistics consistently show that the majority occur on the way back, when concentration begins to wane.
The Monti Sibillini National Park enforces strict rules: stay on marked trails, keep groups small and maintain mandatory silence, keep a 2-metre distance from other hikers (wear a mask if closer contact is unavoidable), keep dogs on leads, and no fires or wild camping. These measures are designed to protect this exceptional natural environment while ensuring the safety of all visitors.
Weather conditions can turn this hike into a dangerous undertaking with alarming speed. In winter, snow and ice make snowshoes (ciaspole) or crampons essential depending on conditions — there is no winter maintenance or snow clearance on these trails. If conditions become unstable, never hesitate to turn back: the narrow gorge becomes genuinely hazardous in poor visibility.
A real-life example: Marco, an experienced hiker from Rome, shared his February 2023 experience: "We set off from Rubbiano at 9 a.m. with snowshoes and it took us 2 hours 30 minutes to reach the hermitage through the fresh snow. On the way back, the temperature had dropped sharply and the Pisciarelle had turned into a frozen waterfall. Without our spare crampons, we would have been stranded. There was no phone signal to call for help. Thankfully, our full kit got us back safely by 4 p.m."
After this immersion in the wild nature of the Marche, come home to the comfort and serenity of your holiday retreat. Our property in Foligno is the ideal base camp for exploring the natural wonders of central Italy, from the Infernaccio Gorge to the Marmore Falls. With 10 premium guest beds, a heated pool and relaxation spaces, Villa Allegria gives you everything you need to fully recover between adventures — while our local expertise helps you plan your next discovery in this authentic corner of Italy.
