Grande Anello dei Sibillini Stage 2: Cupi to Fiastra

The route of Grande Anello dei Sibillini Stage 2

The stage starts from the small village of Cupi. The first part is a climb along the left slope of Costa Tranquilla. It leads to the pastures at the head of the Valle di Campobonomo and then to the ridge of Monte Coglia. The high section offers views of the upper Chienti valley and the Camerino basin, enclosed between two ridges stretching toward Monte San Vicino and Monte Catria.

After Pian del Capriolo the trail descends into a deep valley and crosses a dense reforested area. It thus reaches the gravel road linking Fiastra to the Piani di Pao. The road is followed downhill for a short way, then the path down to Fiastra begins. The descent from Monte Coglia passes among beeches and oaks and opens glimpses of the lake, all the way to Trebbio di Fiastra.

The previous stage is Grande Anello dei Sibillini stage 1, from Visso to Cupi. To continue, the page for Grande Anello dei Sibillini stage 3 describes the next stage. An overview of the whole trek is on the Grande Anello dei Sibillini page.

Stage 2 technical data: Grande Anello dei Sibillini

• Start and finish: from Cupi to Fiastra, one way, not a loop.
• Length: 11.5 km.
• Elevation change: 495 m of ascent and 723 m of descent.
• Altitude: between about 762 m and 1,404 m.
• Walking time: about 4 hours, excluding stops.
• Difficulty: T (tourist), according to the Park's classification.
• Direction: the route can be walked in both directions. The Grande Anello is described starting from Visso clockwise, but it can also be tackled in the opposite direction from any stage point.
• Waymarking: the Grande Anello is marked with red-and-white signs.

The Park provides an official track of the stage for download. Before setting out it is advisable to check the weather, since much of the route is at altitude.

Map of Grande Anello dei Sibillini Stage 2

The map shows the route from Cupi to Fiastra, climbing to the pastures and descending again toward the lake. No parking is marked near the start in Cupi, while there are several parking areas at the finish. The finish is in Fiastra, on the shores of the lake.

Points of interest along Grande Anello dei Sibillini Stage 2

The route touches the village of Cupi, where the stage begins. Along the way are Monte Rotondo and Monte Coglia, the two peaks that look out over the surroundings. Several springs are also marked: Fonte di Trebbio, Fonte del Pozzo and Fonte Trocaccia, plus another unnamed spring. In the surroundings are the Chiesa di San Giovanni at Piagge and the Chiesa del Santissimo Redentore e Santa Maria.

The lake at Fiastra is not natural. It was created by a dam built on the Fiastrone river to produce electricity.