Grande Anello dei Sibillini Stage 6: Rubbiano to Colle di Montegallo

The route of Grande Anello dei Sibillini Stage 6

From Rubbiano the trail crosses dry grasslands and scrub. It then climbs the steep meadows of Monte Zampa, a spur of Monte Sibilla that descends toward the Aso valley. Past the hamlet of Isola San Biagio, the view opens onto the valley, dominated by the village of Montemonaco. The view reaches as far as the Piceno hills and the sea.

The route then descends toward the Aso, passing through Tofe, and crosses it. Along the river stands the church of Santa Maria in Casalicchio, which dates back to the 13th century. From there the trail climbs to Altino through woods dominated by chestnut. These woods appear only in a few areas of the Sibillini, mainly on the eastern side, because of the marl and sandstone nature of the soil.

After Altino the trail follows the section known as the Sentiero dei Mietitori (Reapers' Trail). It passes Santa Maria in Pantano and reaches Colle di Montegallo, overlooked by the east face of Monte Vettore and by Monte Torrone. Between Santa Maria in Pantano and Colle a stream has flooded the route and damaged the trail, which may have ruts and standing water.

The most rewarding period runs from May to September. It is advisable to set out with a well-defined stage plan and to check the weather forecast before starting.

Stage 6 technical data: Grande Anello dei Sibillini

• Start: Rubbiano (Montefortino)
• Finish: Colle di Montegallo
• Length: between about 12 and 14 km, one way
• Elevation change: about 800 m of ascent
• Highest point: about 1,171 m
• Lowest point: about 735 m
• Waymarking: GAS

The Grande Anello dei Sibillini as a whole measures about 124 km in nine stages. The stage takes about 4 and a half to 5 and a half hours, excluding stops.

After the 2016 earthquake several huts along the loop were made unusable and partly replaced by temporary structures. The hut at Colle di Montegallo, the stage point, was made unusable by the earthquake: temporary structures have been set up in its place in the hamlet of Astorara, with a maximum of 14 beds. It is therefore advisable to check in advance where to sleep. Where to refill with water should also be checked: several drinking water points and some springs are mapped along the route.

Map of Grande Anello dei Sibillini Stage 6

The stage is walked from Rubbiano to Colle di Montegallo. The map on this page shows the route, with points of interest and water sources. A parking area is about 197 m from the start in Rubbiano.

The Park provides the official track of the stage, identified as "G 06". For the previous stage, ending in Rubbiano, see the page on Grande Anello dei Sibillini stage 5. The next stage sets off again from Colle di Montegallo and is described in Grande Anello dei Sibillini stage 7. An overview of the whole trek is on the Grande Anello dei Sibillini page.

Points of interest along Grande Anello dei Sibillini Stage 6

The route touches the hamlets of Rubbiano, Isola San Biagio, Tofe, Pignotti, Altino and Colle. Along the way there are also a viewpoint, a waterfall and two picnic areas.

Among the religious buildings, Santa Maria in Casalicchio (13th century) stands along the Aso. The church of Sant'Andrea is also on the route. Santa Maria in Pantano, known as the "chiesa delle Sibille" (church of the Sibyls), was badly damaged by the earthquake. Its frescoes of Sibyls and prophets bear witness to the ancient custom of combining Christian and pagan iconography. Next to the church is the Sorgente Santa (Holy Spring).

From the opposite side of the Aso valley, Monte Sibilla, 2,173 m high, comes into view. According to tradition it holds the cave of the Apennine Sibyl. This area is known as the "Versante della Magia" (Slope of Magic). In the Middle Ages it drew scholars and knights from all over Europe, in search of the mountain's mystery.