from Case Barboni to Sasso di Simone

Simple path to discover Sasso Simone. We start from the car park next to Provincial Road SP52 near the rural hamlet of Case Barboni. We begin by climbing up the asphalt road towards the hamlet and then turn right as soon as we come to the first houses.

After a few hundred metres, our route veers to the left in the direction of Monte della Scura. In this stretch we will have to be careful, as it is not difficult to follow the wrong track, but if we keep to the left and continue our ascent (on undemanding slopes) we will find ourselves walking over splendid gullies from which we can also admire the view of Sasso Simone on the right and behind us the panorama as far as the outline of Monte Nerone.

After walking along the last gully, before entering the wood, we turn onto a small road that descends to the right and leads to an ancient landslide. We cross the landslide, taking care not to lose the red and white markers, and climb up the opposite slope, enjoying the view of the bursting silhouette of Sasso Simone. In this section, it is not important to pay too much attention to the markers, just walk up the path taking the majestic monumental Beech tree above us as a reference point.

When we reach the slopes of Sasso Simone, we take a small diversions towards the Beech Tree and then set off again, passing through a small gate and following the road up towards the summit. It will not take long to reach the plaques that tell the story of what was once the City of the Sun (Città del Sole). A few hundred metres and another small gate separate us from the summit plain of Sasso Simone and its iconic iron cross. From the cross, we continue to follow the path until we reach the viewpoint from which we can see our entire route.

To return down, we use the same road until we again pass the little gate at the foot of the Sasso. From the little gate, we turn left and follow the red and white signs until we enter the wood. The path inside the oak wood is initially characterised by the presence of a number of ancient dry stone walls; it will lead us to the junction with the CAI path that leads to Passo Cantoniera. Having reached the main path, we turn left in the direction of Sella dei Sassi, after which we will rejoin the route taken on the outward journey. This time, however, we do not descend along the gullies but continue along the path until we reach the village of Case Barboni.

In the village there is an excellent agriturismo for those who wish to combine the excursion with a stop to taste the typical products of this border area between Tuscany, Marche and Romagna.