Loop Hikes in the Sibillini Mountains
Loop hikes in the Sibillini start and finish at the same point in the Sibillini Mountains and vary greatly in length. They range from a walk of about 2 km around Lago di Boccafornace, at Pievebovigliana, to the Grande Anello dei Sibillini, which is about 124 km long in nine stages and circles the entire range. In between there are day loops through chestnut groves, dry stone walls, springs and grasslands, such as those of Roccamaia and Monte Fietone.
The trails
12 results
- TrailAnello Abetito HikeMontegallo · Difficulty E · 5.0 km · +324 m · 2:20 h
- TrailAnello di Montagna GrandeSellano · Difficulty E · 12.2 km · +726 m · 5:25 h
- TrailFuoriporta Itinerary 2 - Moglietta, AmandolaAmandola · Difficulty E · 6.6 km · +314 m · 2:30 h
- TrailFuoriporta Itinerary 3 - Beato Antonio, AmandolaAmandola · Difficulty E · 8.3 km · +404 m · 3:10 h
- TrailFuoriporta Itinerary 4 - Capovalle, AmandolaAmandola · Difficulty E · 8.6 km · +436 m · 3:25 h
- TrailSibillini Nature Trail N14 (Percorso Natura N14), BolognolaBolognola · Difficulty NON INDICATA · 3.4 km · +252 m · 1:45 h
- TrailSibillini Nature Trail N2 (Percorso Natura N2), ValfornaceValfornace · Difficulty NON INDICATA · 4.6 km · +213 m · 1:45 h
- TrailSibillini Nature Trail N4 (Percorso Natura N4), AmandolaAmandola · Difficulty T · 5.8 km · +229 m · 2:05 h
- TrailPizzo dell'Arco hike from TallacanoAcquasanta Terme · Difficulty E · 8.9 km · +650 m · 4:35 h
- TrailTrail 103 (Montefalcone Appennino)Difficulty T · 3.0 km · +229 m · 1:35 h
- TrailTrail 104 (Smerillo)Difficulty T · 1.4 km · +89 m · 0:40 h
- TrailSibillini Nature Trail N16 at TribbioCessapalombo · Difficulty NON INDICATA · 3.0 km · +169 m · 1:15 h
No results with these filters.
On the map
Points from the site database. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors · Protomaps.
Loop hikes in the Sibillini: the map
The map shows the circular routes in the Sibillini area. For each itinerary it gives the start and the track, while the description of each loop is on its own page. For a comparison with other types of hike, start from the general page on Sibillini Mountains hiking: trails and treks.
Loop hikes in the Sibillini: places not to miss
Lago di Boccafornace. Lago di Boccafornace is an artificial reservoir in the municipality of Valfornace, inside the Sibillini National Park. The Lago di Boccafornace loop starts from the historic center of Pievebovigliana. It is about 2 km long and follows a practically flat dirt road, suitable even for those who are not fit. Along the way there are benches overlooking the water, and black swans and geese can be seen. Swimming is not allowed in the lake. It is fed by a karst spring with intermittent flow.
Anello di Roccamaia. A few minutes' drive from the lake, near the small village of Roccamaia, another loop climbs the slopes of Monte San Savino (891 m). This hill acts as a natural balcony between the Chienti valley and the Camerino basin to the north, and the Sibillini to the south. The track is partly lined by old dry stone walls of sandstone and rows of oaks. It passes through woods of chestnut, hornbeam, maple, Turkey oak, downy oak and rowan, alternating with pastures and small cultivated fields. The best known option combines this loop with the lake for about 5 plus 3 km, with 200 m of elevation gain. It is graded easy, but with wet leaves some sections become slippery.
Monte Fietone and Valcaldara. The Monte Fietone - Valcaldara loop lies on the northwestern edge of the Park, in the Monte Cavallo area. It passes the hamlets of Cesure, Selvapiana and Valcaldara, and the track crosses the Oasi Faunistica Naturalistica del Monte Fietone e del Monte Cesure (a wildlife and nature reserve), established also to protect the golden eagle. From the summit of Monte Fietone, at about 1,388 m, the view is 360° and stretches from the peaks of the Sibillini, such as Monte Bove, to the Colfiorito and Montelago plateaus. The descent runs through the Valcaldara, known for the stream of the same name, its springs and waterfalls. The route also passes small villages and country chapels, including San Nicolò at Valcaldara. The loop starts and ends in Selvapiana and is about 13 km long, with an elevation gain of about 600 m. The difficulty is hiking grade (E), and most of the walk is on cart tracks and dirt roads.
Grande Anello dei Sibillini. The Grande Anello dei Sibillini starts from Visso. It is a hiking route of about 124 km, fully signposted, that circles the entire range in nine stages. It crosses the provinces of Macerata, Fermo, Ascoli Piceno and Perugia, between the Marche region and Umbria. The Park has restored some hikers' huts to make it easier to walk. Stages range from about 3 to 6 hours of walking, for example Visso-Cupi or Fiastra-Monastero. For treks of several days there is the page on multi-day hikes in the Sibillini.
Loop hikes in the Sibillini: tips for the visit
For short loops the simplest choice is Lago di Boccafornace. Arriving by car, take the Foligno-Civitanova Marche expressway and exit at Muccia. Then follow signs for Pievebovigliana: just past the center, in the area of the sports fields, signs lead to the lake. Fall, with its foliage colors, is described as the ideal time to visit, especially between late October and early November. The lake, however, suits a walk in every season. For other low-difficulty routes there is the page on Sibillini Mountains walks, the easy trails.
Even on well-signposted loops it is wise to carry the map of the hike. Hiking shoes are needed mainly on sections with wet leaves, as at Roccamaia. On Monte Fietone, near the summit, a gate warns of grazing animals. The tracks of the loop vary, and depending on the version the start may be from Cesure or Selvapiana. Before setting out, then, check which track is being followed and check the weather.
The Grande Anello requires more preparation than the other routes. For the mountain bike version, the recommended period is May to October. The loop is usually completed in 3-5 days and the stages are chosen according to one's fitness.