Mount Cacciù, Monte della Cacciona. A very panoramic and poetic hill situated right above the coastal town of Porto San Giorgio (Fermo, Central Italy), where gaze gets lost towards the sea or the mountains. Thay say that here, in the Middle Ages, the Venetian or Dalmatian fishermen settled on the run from the barbarians, searching for a place overlooking the sea, safe and easy to defend. The bikers in the area speak respectfully of the terrible wall to climb to reach it. I spoke with a musician friend, who told me that in this magical place he often has moments of inspiration and that there he composed a beautiful song. The spark of curiosity came on and one cold January morning I decided to go …

 

Summary table
Length	1,36 km
Elevation gain	166 m
Elevation loss	7 m
Min elevation	5 m
Max elevation	164 m
Average grade	12,3%
Max grade	27%

 

 

Start in the historical center of Porto San Giorgio. More precisely in the characteristic Corso Castel San Giorgio, which can be accessed from the Square of the Theater. The climb begins with Via Girolamo Bonaparte, paved and with small steps, and then continue along Via Cerretani up to an arch through the walls of Castel San Giorgio (Castle San Giorgio). The road that leads to the summit of Monte Cacciù takes the name of Via Cacciona and, in its urban stretch, runs along the ancient walls of the castle. In reality this paved road would begin a little further below, at the small bridge on Fosso Petronilla, from Via Domenico Collina. This can be considered an ideal starting point too, but I wanted to insert a passage in the historical center, which I think is interesting.

Soon I reach the intersection with Via Michelangelo Buonarroti. The paved stretch ends. I leave the Castle behind and the asphalt of Via Cacciona stands, already looking at me. The road is narrow. Road signs are threatening: no transit for trucks, 20% gradient. It is not the first time I see something like this, but I will find out later that the ascent to Monte Cacciù is much more difficult than what the signs indicate.

The climb starts immediately very hard. I have in front of me almost four hundred meters of asphalt at an average gradient of 20%, with two ramps respectively at 22% and 23% separated by a very short 9% stretch immediately after a double bend. The scariest thing is that subsequently there is a cemented section of about 100 meters with an incredible 27% gradient. In practice, the real “wall”, started at Via Buonarroti, ends here, at the end of the concrete surface. Length 480 meters, average gradient 21%. A real nightmare, even having a very low gear.

Immediately the slope decreases considerably. We are close to 10%, but now the road seems flat. I stop to take a breath and take a look at the houses of Porto San Giorgio, 130 meters below.

At this point the road gets pleasant and allows me to appreciate the view on the valleys of Ete Vivo, on the left, and Rio Petronilla on the right. A small ramp at 17%, which now seems very easy, and I reach the pass of Monte Cacciù. I stop. On the left there is a large concrete block. I get on and start spinning on myself. I have a 360-degree view. The sea, the houses, the port, the highway, Ete Vivo valley, Gran Sasso, Sibillini, the city of Fermo, Mount San Vicino, Rio Petronilla valley, the hills, the sea again …

Everything is there, within reach of the eye. The silence is total and I understand why my friend Diego Mercuri right here has composed his beautiful Take me home, a song inspired by the Sibillini mountains and those people who, because of the earthquakes of 2016, have had to leave their homes and their loved places, which from here appear still peaceful and welcoming as they once were and as I hope they soon return to be.

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