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The Sibillini mountains
  • November 03, 2025
  • Riccardo
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To see: landscape & special place

The Sibillini mountains

The Sibillini Mountains are the fourth highest mountain massif in the continental Apennines (after Gran Sasso, Maiella and Velino-Sirente). They are located in the Umbria-Marche Apennines, between Marche and Umbria, and precisely between the provinces of Ascoli Piceno, Fermo, Macerata and Perugia.
The territory of the Sibillini Mountains falls within the Sibillini Mountains National Park of the same name.

With a length from north to south of approximately 40 km, they have numerous peaks that exceed 2,000 meters above sea level: Mount Vettore (2,476 m), the Cima del Redentore (2,448 m), the Cima del Lago, Pizzo del Diavolo, Mount Priora (or Pizzo della Regina), Pizzo Berro, Mount Porche and Mount Argentella.

The chain takes its name from Monte Sibilla (2,173 m), on the summit of which a cave (Sibilla cave) opened until the end of the last century, now blocked, which tradition has it was the home of the Apennine Sibyl.

The Sibillini Mountains are much more than just a mountain range, they are a place where wild nature meets the charm of ancient legends, where timeless villages guard stories of knights and prophecies, and where adventure is intertwined with spirituality.

The Sibillini Park is not only a paradise for hikers, but also a journey through myths and mysteries that range from Mount Sibilla, the ancient home of the legendary Apennine Sibyl, to the evocative Sibilla Cave, closed but still shrouded in an aura of magic. Without forgetting the medieval villages that dot the landscape, among Romanesque churches, abbeys and castles that tell ancient and fascinating stories.

Among the most intriguing stories is that of the Apennine Sibyl, a very powerful sorceress who according to legend lived on the top of Mount Sibyl, surrounded by her goat-footed handmaidens. His cave was a sacred place for magicians and necromancers from every corner of Europe, drawn by the promise of heady prophecies and pleasures.

Another fascinating story is the one linked to Lake Pilate, nestled between the peaks like a mysterious body of water. Legend has it that the body of Pontius Pilate, dragged by angry buffaloes that left Rome, arrived right here, dyeing the water a disturbing red. Even today, on particularly clear days, it is said that the lake takes on reddish shades, like a faded memory of that tragic epilogue.

The slopes of the Sibillini reveal different and surprising landscapes. The Adriatic is characterized by deep and narrow valleys such as the Aso, Tenna, Ambro and Fiastrone Valleys, the latter home to the artificial lake of the same name with crystal clear waters.
On the Tyrrhenian side, however, the three suggestive high-altitude depressions open up: Pian Grande, Pian Perduto and Pian Piccolo, together with the majestic Valnerina, shaped by the strength of the Nera river.

The action of the Quaternary glaciers sculpted these mountains, creating spectacular glacial cirques such as those of the Pilate Lake Valley, the Panico Valley, the Bove Valley and the high valleys of the Ambro, Tenna and Tela Valley.

The karst phenomena contribute to making the landscape even more fascinating, which have shaped caves and cavities in the rocky walls and in the suggestive Piani di Castelluccio, a vast plateau where, in spring, nature explodes in a mosaic of colors with the flowering of poppies, lentils and cornflowers.

Exploring the Sibillini Mountains on foot means immersing yourself in a timeless world, where every step tells a story and every path reveals a secret. Here, among ancient medieval villages and pastoral landscapes, trekking becomes an experience of profound connection with nature and with the authentic soul of this land.

The Park offers an extraordinarily varied network of routes, suitable for every level of preparation. From the urban paths, which cross the medieval corners of the villages at the foot of the mountains, to the pleasant walks among flowering meadows and pastures, each itinerary is a journey to discover the rural and pastoral culture of the area.

Among the unmissable routes, the Great Ring of the Sibillini stands out, a 124 km long adventure that unfolds over nine days of walking around the entire mountain range. An epic journey, which offers unique emotions and the feeling of being part of an ancient and uncontaminated world, where nature dictates rhythm and silence reigns supreme.

Cycling through the vast spaces of the Mountains is also a unique experience, where wild and uncontaminated nature becomes a travel companion. Riding a mountain bike, you can cross ancient paths, once traveled by lumberjack mules, shepherds and pilgrims, now transformed into breathtaking itineraries perfect for adventure lovers.

The Sibillini Mountains are not only a paradise for nature lovers, but also for gourmets who will be able to embark on a gastronomic journey, a true itinerary of the senses, where every bite brings with it the authentic flavor of a land rich in natural resources.

In the Park's restaurants you will find the typical products that celebrate the short supply chain between local producers and restaurateurs, where you can savor the most delicious typical products. The meats, processed in cured meats and hams, stewed or cooked on the grill, are a must for those visiting these valleys. There is also no shortage of trout, local cheeses, legumes and cereals that grow luxuriantly in the mountains, and potatoes with ancient origins.

Sibillini honey is known for its unique sweetness, as is saffron, grown in the sunniest soils, which offers dishes with intense and refined flavours. And then there is the truffle, highly prized and much loved in the kitchen, which enriches each dish with its unmistakable aroma.

Exploring the villages of the Sibillini Mountains is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a thousand-year history, witness to man's ability to adapt to a wild and often inhospitable natural environment.

Villages that are part of the Sibillini Mountains Park area include Acquacanina, Amandola, Arquata del Tronto, Bolognola, Castelsantangelo sul Nera, Cessapalombo, Fiastra, Fiordimonte, Montefortino, Montegallo, Montemonaco, Pievebovigliana, Pievetorina, San Ginesio, Ussita and Visso.

Unfortunately, the seismic events of 2016 affected all the municipalities of the Park, damaging many historic buildings and resulting in the establishment of some red zones, which were forbidden access. Despite this, the heritage and spirit of these places continue to resist, giving those who visit them a unique and authentic experience.