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Grande Anello dei Borghi Ascolani: a loop walk from Ascoli Piceno

The Grande Anello dei Borghi Ascolani (Great Loop of the Ascoli Villages) is a loop walk of about 100 km, divided into seven stages, that starts and ends in Ascoli Piceno. It passes through the municipalities of Ascoli Piceno, Venarotta, Roccafluvione, Comunanza, Acquasanta Terme and Montegallo. The route runs at the foot of the Ceresa group, the Monti Gemelli, the Sibillini and the Monti della Laga. It can be done on foot or by bike, even without a guide, because the route is waymarked.

The walk is recent. It was conceived during the 2020 lockdown by the guides of the Associazione Le Marche Experience and officially presented in spring 2021. The aim was to revive slow tourism in the areas of the central Apennines hit by the 2016 earthquake. The project was supported by the Marche Region, the Comune di Ascoli Piceno and the Fondazione Carisap. In 2021 it placed third in the Italian Green Road Award, the prize dedicated to cycle tourism.

Before you go

Forecast at the start

  1. Today15° / 10°0.2 mmCloudy

Forecast by MET Norway, updated automatically · license CC BY 4.0

Rules and orders: Park website. Snow and avalanches: Meteomont bulletin.

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The stages on the map

Map and track: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

The stages

Elevation gain

7 results

The stages of the Grande Anello dei Borghi Ascolani

The walking stages have an average length of about 14 km. The route can be done in seven days, sleeping and eating in the villages along the way, or bit by bit with short outings. For each stage the start, finish and distance are given:

  • First stage: from Ascoli Piceno to Venarotta, 18.6 km.
  • Second stage: from Venarotta to Ficocchia, 13.3 km.
  • Third stage: from Ficocchia to Abetito, 11 km.
  • Fourth stage: from Abetito to Forcella, 10.6 km.
  • Fifth stage: from Forcella to Valledacqua, about 11 km.
  • Sixth stage: from Valledacqua to Coperso, 18 km.
  • Seventh stage: from Coperso to Ascoli Piceno, 16.7 km.

Each stage has its own page: Grande Anello dei Borghi Ascolani stage 1, Grande Anello dei Borghi Ascolani stage 2, Grande Anello dei Borghi Ascolani stage 3 and Grande Anello dei Borghi Ascolani stage 4. Pages for stages 5, 6 and 7 have also been published.

By bike the loop is organized in three stages instead of seven. The first runs from Ascoli Piceno to Abetito. The bike route differs slightly from the walking one, but the views are essentially the same.

The route of the Grande Anello dei Borghi Ascolani

The surface changes along the way: asphalt, dirt roads and footpaths alternate. The painted and signpost waymarking allows walkers to go independently, and GPS tracks can be downloaded from the official website of the walk.

The first stage leaves from Piazza del Popolo in Ascoli Piceno and crosses the Roman bridge of Borgo Solestà over the Tronto river. It is one of the largest Roman bridges in Europe and dates from the Augustan age. The walk then leaves the city through the North gate, the same one St. Francis passed through in 1215 at the end of the long route known today as the Cammino Francescano della Marca. More on that route is on the page about the Cammino Francescano della Marca.

Also on the first stage are the castle village of Mozzano, where sections of the fortifications are still visible, and the natural bridge over the Fluvione. On the climb up the hill stands the small church of Sant'Emidio di Tronzano, hidden in the woods. In the 15th and 16th centuries it was considered a sanctuary of popular devotion. The route then passes Casacagnano and Ponte Nativo, hamlets of Roccafluvione. The stage reaches the Castello di Venarotta, home of the Convento di San Francesco, among the first friaries founded by the Franciscan order in the Piceno area. From the first stage a path also leads to the Grotte di Sant'Emidio, a network of natural caves among the vegetation.

Further on the walk reaches Forcella, known for its waterfall. Along the loop there are stops in the small villages as well as in monasteries and mills. Local residents are often met along the way and share stories of local traditions.

How to plan the Grande Anello dei Borghi Ascolani

The starting and finishing point is Ascoli Piceno, so the loop closes in the city. The walk can be done in seven days, one per stage. Alternatively it can be split into several short outings, returning later to pick up the route.

The walk can be done in spring, summer and fall. Checking the weather before each stage is advisable. The stages vary greatly in length: from about 10.6 km for the fourth to about 18.6 km for the first. For this reason it is best to look at the distances and times of each day before reserving overnight stays.

Those who prefer cycling can choose the three-stage route. With the GPS tracks, which can be downloaded from the official website of the walk, and the waymarked route itself, a guide is not essential.

Where to stay along the Grande Anello dei Borghi Ascolani

The municipalities crossed by the walk offer various kinds of accommodation, including hotels and B&Bs. It is possible to sleep and eat in the villages along the route, as the seven-day format provides.

Those traveling with a tent can camp at some designated spots along the loop, always with permission:

  • in Venarotta, in the space in front of the municipal sports field;
  • in Ficocchia;
  • in Meschia, at the sports field;
  • in Forcella, in a private area made available on request;
  • in Fornara di Acquasanta Terme;
  • in Talvacchia, at the sports field.

For the other walks in the area, a good starting point is the page multi-day hikes and treks in the Sibillini.

Frequently asked questions

How many days does the Grande Anello dei Borghi Ascolani take?

The route is divided into seven stages, averaging about 14 km each, and can be done in seven days, sleeping and eating in the villages along the way. Alternatively it can be split into short outings. By bike the loop is organized in three stages.

Can the Grande Anello dei Borghi Ascolani be done by bike?

Yes, the route can be done on foot or by bike, on a slightly different itinerary. The surface alternates asphalt, dirt roads and footpaths. The first bike stage runs from Ascoli Piceno to Abetito. In all there are three bike stages.

Do you need a guide for the Grande Anello dei Borghi Ascolani?

No, the walk can be done independently. The route has painted and signpost waymarking, and GPS tracks can be downloaded from the official website of the walk. The route can be done on foot or by bike even without a guide.

Can you camp along the Grande Anello dei Borghi Ascolani?

Yes, at some spots, but permission is required. The designated areas are in Venarotta, Ficocchia, Meschia, Forcella (private area, on request), Fornara di Acquasanta Terme and Talvacchia. Those without a tent can choose hotels and B&Bs in the municipalities along the route.