The starting point is reached near a red house by following via Monte Ricco, the paved road that ascends from the southeast side, right behind the Monselice train station. Following a very wide forest path with a stony bottom, one quickly arrives at a panoramic terrace dominated by the statue of Hercules holding the world. To the right, the staircase leading to the Franciscan hermitage of Santa Domenica opens up, once the residence of Count Vittorio Cini, flanked by two rows of imposing cypress trees. From the terrace, on clear days, the gaze can extend southward to the Apennine Mountains. After walking a few meters, the path presents a fork: taking the left leads down towards the adjacent Monte Castello, while continuing to the right keeps on the main ring path of Ricco, shortening the route.
In both cases, one traverses forests of oaks and chestnuts alternating with interesting elements of Mediterranean scrub, including the strawberry tree, depending on the exposure of the slope. Descending towards Monte Castello, we reach a clearing from which the path branching to the left provides access to a panoramic point located at the top of a properly fenced quarry. In this area, remains of trenches and fortifications built during World War II can be observed. After the stop, the same stretch is retraced in the opposite direction; the path is almost flat and crosses a chestnut forest. After a few hundred meters, there is a fork; taking the left leads to an intersection located on a change of slope. The forest is enriched by oaks and manna ashes, demonstrating how different sun exposure can determine the type of vegetation. If one veers right uphill, a path reconnects to a short loop trail near the summit of Monte Ricco.
Continue straight where protective fences have been built, initially on the northeastern slope of the hill, then bending southward. This part of the route, characterized by numerous gullies, is particularly diverse from a floristic point of view: after crossing cool and shady forests dominated by chestnut trees, one passes into thermophilic forests of oaks and manna ashes. In the sunniest spots facing south, there is finally a precious example of Mediterranean scrub, with forests of holm oaks and strawberry trees. After a brief ascent, the path now becomes a forest road and leads without difficulty to the paved road; turning left, one descends back to the Monselice train station.
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