The hike begins on beautiful trails that cross a stream near Colletta, climbing steeply up the hillside through rocky switchbacks. After passing through a mostly abandoned town that hasn't seen renovation work similar to what has taken place in Colletta, the true climb begins in earnest, running straight up the mountainside on singletrack paved with ancient natural cobblestones.

If you carry on past the junction with the loop trail and climb straight up the mountainside, you can bushwhack and scramble to a gorgeous overlook of the valley from the top of a cliff—see the route's hero image.

For a full day hike with an even more incredible view and challenging climb, turn left onto the mapped loop and finish climbing to the top of Monte Alpe, with a summit soaring to 1056 meters above the Mediterranean Sea far, far below. The climb to the top of Monte Alpe follows very steep cobblestone paths that get steeper and steeper as you climb. Trees along the trail provide convenient means of stabilization.

Once you break out of the thick undergrowth and reach the jaw-dropping view on top of the mountain, you can either return by the same path, or the most ambitious climbers can choose to traverse the ridgeline down to another singletrack trail. While faint trails exist along the ridge, very little is marked or maintained in this area, creating a wild hiking/climbing experience.

Once back on the singletrack, complete the upper loop and return by the same path down the mountainside.

Whether you choose the half day or the full day route, both hikes provide a significant challenge, incredible views, and a unique perspective on the history of this ancient region.