Monte Acuto

Take this gravel road uphill until you pass a building with a mediaeval tower. Continue the climb upwards to the right (sent. 170b) and, after several turns in the road, you will reach the Cappella di Sant’Angelo.

The climb continues through the woods, through oak tree stands and juniper trees, and you must stay on the rightmost trail. You will cross the Fosso della Scannata, a gorge, and eventually arrive at an open pasture near the houses of Galera. Take a left hand turn here, along the remains of an old trail that runs alongside a fence. Near two walnut trees, the fence has an opening through which you get onto a road that takes you to the remains of an old farmhouse, Podere Ranieri.

To the left of this, close to the remains of an old pigsty, look for a difficult to find path that heads into the thick vegetation and take it. When the thicket clears the path takes you along the slope of the mountain among lovely fragrant yellow (if in bloom, early summer) Spanish broom. At about 700 mt asl the trail forks into two. Take the left one into the thick beech grove (sent. 170a) and, staying at the same height, you will reach Cima Cerchiaia, easily distinguished for the remains of the stone perimeter wall of an ancient castle.

Now head southwards up the slope that takes you to the top of Monte Acuto (923 mt asl). Coming down the mountain head south again down a steep and badly maintained mule path. At about 500 mt asl this road will cross another gravel road, ignore it and continue down on the mule path which, if you continue going south, will take you back to your car.