How to get there:
The town of Rieti is a good point of reference. From here, drive the road to
Monte Terminillo, you will pass some ski resort buildings. Continue and make a left
in order to drive to locaation N42.47061, E013.01001, elevation close to 1800 meter.
People park along the road here.
Route description:
From the trailhead, locate a small trail that cuts left in order to access the
south-west (left) ridge of Terminillo. Follow this trail to the south summit,
a triangular pillar marks this
summit. Continue about 80 meter roughly north. You cross a shallow
saddle, then gain the highest point of Terminillo
marked with a metal plaque signed
the Italian Alpine Club. There is a good trail all the way, but since there are
a short section where you may need to support yourself with a hand, the difficulty is
rated (YDS) class 2.
Comments:
I arrived at the trailhead, the road was closed by police, around
1000, but needed to change before hiking. This was a Sunday and there were
about 100 cars parked all over the place, very busy!
I left at 1015 and assumed (wrongly) that the trail would take me to the north side, then
up along a ridge from there. When I arrived on the north side, the trail descended steeply
into some kind of valley. I realized that I should have climbed the south ridge. What to do?
Looking up on the mountain from where I was standing, it looked like a good, but not
difficult scramble to ascend directly. I could not see the upper part, but it was tempting to
give this route a try. It worked well, some easy (YDS) class 3 scramble after gaining the main
crest, then back to class 2. I arrived from the north to the summit by 1105.
Most people seemed to rest at the south summit point
about 80 meter away. I helped 2 hikers with a summit photo, then headed
over to the other summit point, which is 2216m, one meter lower.
After some good rest to enjoy the nice weather, including a clear view
across to Corno Grande, I left
after 15 minutes and descended the correct route back to my car in about 35 minutes.
