Description

The crag of Fonte Avellana is located on the Eastern side of the Catria Mountain, about 1100 meters above the sea level.

It consists of three areas, all on the same cliff, therefore all with the same exposure, but somewhat different from each other.

The cliff of Fonte Avellana is made of a superb massif limestone, with water erosion pockets, pockets, crimps, and little cracks.

The rock is not covered by lichen or even by soil, despite being within a magnificent beech forest, probably because in winter the beaches are leafless so that the wall is bathed by the sun all the morning.

The routes are of medium and medium/high difficulties, masterfully equipped by Sandro Angelini on the view of the sport climbing.

the approach is short and comfortable, and the space at the bottom of the wall is quite wide and without precipices. This Fonte Avellana is suited for families with children.

Being East faced, surrounded by the wood, and at 1100 meters above the sea level, Fonte Avellana is one of the freshest climbing spots in the province of Pesaro (may be the freshest one). So it's recommended for climbing in summer, during the hottest days of the autumn, and of the springtime after the snow has completely melted. Obviously, it's definitely not good for climbing in winter.

Finally, the crag is a short distance away from the Hermitage of Fonte Avellana, a place full of history, offering a very rich calendar of cultural events, that is well worth a visit.

Approach

FROM FOLIGNO

Take the SS3 Flaminia road toward Nocera Umbra, and continue for more than 50 Km up to Scheggia. Once at  Scheggia, exit at Senigallia, Fonte Avellana, Sassoferrato, Isola Fossara. Continue on the SS360 road up to Isola Fossara. Once at Isola Fossara, turn left on the SP226 road toward the Marche (that is toward Urbino, Cagli, Pergola, Frontone…). Just passed the border between Umbria and Marche continue straight on the  SP133 road (that is the continuation of the SP226 road). After some hundred meters, turn left following the signs to Fonte Avellana. Once at Fonte Avellana, continue uphill toward the Catria Mountain. The parking spot is a widening on the roadside, after the 16th hairpin turn.

FROM URBINO (OR FROM FURLO)

Exit from Urbino going toward the Umbria region, that is taking the SS73bis road toward Calmazzo. In correspondence of Calmazzo, the SS73bis crosses theSP3 Flaminia road. Take the Flaminia road toward Roma. Continue up to Cagli. Once at Cagli, turn on the  SP424 road and after few Kilometers, turn right toward Frontone. Once at the outskirts of Frontone, follow the signs to Fonte Avellana, turning right on Via Fonte Avellana road. Pass Fonte Avellana and continue uphill to the Catria Mountain top. The parking spot is a widening on the roadside, after the 16th hairpin turn.

FROM FABRIANO

Exit from Fabriano, taking the SP47 road toward Sassoferrato. Then continue straight on the  SP 16, still toward Sassoferrato. Pass Sassoferrato, and, after some Kilometers, turn left on the SP16/2 following the signs to Fonte Avellana. Continue following these signs, pass Fonte Avellana and continue uphill to the Catria Mountain top. The parking spot is a widening on the roadside, after the 16th hairpin turn.