A quick trail inspection after our snowshoe season, focusing now on lower mountains and gradually working our way up to higher altitudes until summer. Saw a wolf (just for 2 seconds before it disappeared into the forest), the usual herds of maremmana cows and free-roaming horses, a huge toad. No human encounters except for the last kilometer on the way back, where two girls were sitting near the former "elephant tree (a centuries old beech tree, which sadly collapsed last year)", and two young men walking up the trail. Very quick inspection, it took me about 30 minutes to the Pratone, I was up at Mt. Gennaro after about 1.5 hours. I started around 12.20 and was done around 3.45pm.

Current Conditions

Access road: No major problems, the lane up the mountain is better than the other lane returning, which appears to have more potholes and seems to be breaking apart faster; but besides the odd loose rock on the ground, no problems. Dry. Accessible.

Trail 302B: Mainly dry. Some mud present, but almost all dry. Rocky as always.

Trail 303: The beech forest was very pleasant. Some grazing maremmana cows roaming around, but none blocked the trails this time. Some wet and more slippery spots (roots, limestone), but all doable for regular hikers with good soles.

Trail 305: Pratone is now looking like spring, the highland is full of Crocus (and not only), also full of horses and maremmana cattle. No major problems or noteworthy obstacles on the way to the summit of Mt. Gennaro at 1271m.

Trail 301: Rocky return until entering the forest trail. Lovely view facing west near the "Scalarola". Trail 301A has some very muddy spots, partially deep and slippery, but it's easy to navigate around.

Recommendations

  • Wear waterproof hiking boots
  • Bring enough water and sun protection, even now it gets very hot on a sunny day
  • Radio and satellite communicator can be very useful. Also compass and map. I always refer to the entire Lucretili park as "Rome's Bermuda Triangle", as every now and then someone tends to get lost here. Don't be one of them!