Balzo Corbara Trail: Route, Difficulty and Map

The Route of the Balzo - Corbara Trail

The route descends from Balzo toward Corbara via Balzetto. From Balzo a narrow road leads down to Balzetto, which can also be reached by car, following the signs from Balzo toward Ascoli Piceno – Roccafluvione.

In the small village of Balzetto a sign marks the trail to Corbara, which descends through the vegetation while always leaving the view open over the valley and the horizon. This section crosses the woods on a gentle descent. Along the way, all side paths branching off to the right should be ignored.

Since the trail is not a loop and descends toward Corbara, the return to Balzo is uphill if the same route is retraced.

Balzo - Corbara Trail Technical Data

• Route type: linear, not a loop
• Length: 2.2 km
• Maximum elevation: 816 m
• Minimum elevation: 678 m
• Elevation difference: about 160 m. On linear routes it depends on the direction of travel.
• Parking: there is a parking lot about 500 m from the start.

Balzo - Corbara Trail Map

The map shows the 2.2 km route between Balzo and Corbara, with the points of interest marked along the way. As this is not a loop, anyone starting from one end needs to plan how to get back to the starting point.

For more ideas, see the page on hiking in the Sibillini Mountains. Those who prefer a route that circles back on itself will find a selection of loop hikes in the Sibillini.

Points of Interest Along the Balzo - Corbara Trail

Along the route the hamlets of Balzetto, Collicello and Corbara are marked. There are also several drinking water points, including the spring of the San Francesco monastery, and the ruins of the Eremo di San Francesco.

Corbara is a village built right against the rock, which is why it is worth walking through it slowly. From the village, signs lead to the hermitage, reached by climbing a flight of steps lined with the Stations of the Cross.

The hermitage has a long history. The site has almost always been home to hermits, and the last of them, Quintino Sicuro, lived there from 1949 for a few years. In the spring of 1951 Quintino began building the Stations of the Cross along the steep path from Corbara to the hermitage, with the help of local people. The Stations of the Cross were restored in 1993.