The Monte Cairo is the main peak of an isolated mountain range that extends eastwards for about 16–18 km from the Alta Valle del Melfa, the road from Rome to Naples.

[citation needed] Monte Cairo is situated in Italy's central peninsula which is dominated by active extensional tectonics.

[4] The geological structure is of limestone[5] dating from the Cretaceous period[6] and due to its position in the region the formation is known to experience earthquakes and subsidence.

[clarification needed] The top of the mountain is a 4-hour hike along a path through beech groves and across a plateau of snow.

The vista from the top includes Appennino Marsicano (Monti Marsicani), the Mainarde, the Monti della Meta, the Matese, the sea up to Gaeta, the Pontine Islands, Mount Vesuvius and the Abbey of Montecassino.