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Sentiero delle Fate on Monte Vettore: Route, Difficulty and Map

Points from the site database. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors · Protomaps.

The Sentiero delle Fate («Fairies' Path») is the name given to the fault on Monte Vettore. Tradition also calls it the Strada delle Fate. It is a fault that runs horizontally across the mountainside at around 2,000 m. The Sentiero delle Fate belongs to a geographical and symbolic world that includes Monte Sibilla, Monte Vettore, Monte Porche, the foci (passes) of Montemonaco, Lago di Pilato (Lake Pilato) and the Gole dell'Infernaccio gorges. At 2,476 m, Monte Vettore is the highest peak in the Sibillini Mountains.

Before you go

Forecast at the start

  1. Today13° / 8°0.0 mmCloudy
  2. Tomorrow14° / 8°5.2 mmPartly cloudy
  3. Friday10° / 6°23.3 mmHeavy rain

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 Route of the Sentiero delle Fate

The Sentiero delle Fate is a path formed naturally along the intersection between the fault plane and the slope of Monte Vettore. Its trace is a small ditch, also called the "via delle Fate". According to legend, the fairies ran toward the Sibyl on their goat feet and left their mark on the face of Monte Vettore.

To see the fault up close, there is a described route starting from Forca di Presta, a mountain pass. Park in the open area at Forca di Presta, at 1,536 m, and take the gravel path that climbs toward Monte Vettore. The route is well marked throughout. At the first viewpoint the view opens over the Piana di Castelluccio, then the path continues toward the summit of Vettoretto (2,052 m). After about an hour of climbing, the fault appears clearly on the left.

A little higher up, the path is crossed by fractures caused by the 2016 earthquake, some of which open the ground by 30-40 centimeters. Anyone continuing must therefore move carefully and check the weather and trail conditions before setting out.

Sentiero delle Fate Technical Data

The section from Forca di Presta is of medium difficulty. The steepness of the slope and the coarse gravel, which is not easy to walk on, make it harder.

  • Elevation of the fault: around 2,000 m.
  • Start from Forca di Presta: 1,536 m.
  • Times: an hour and a quarter up and an hour down to the point where the proposed route ends.
  • Best period: from April to October.

For fit and experienced hikers, this section can be just the first part of the longer and more difficult route toward the summit of Monte Vettore or Lago di Pilato.

Points of Interest Along the Sentiero delle Fate

In the myth, the most often mentioned places are the Grotta della Sibilla (the Sibyl's Cave), Lago di Pilato and the Monte Vettore fault.

  • Lago di Pilato. It lies at 1,941 m on the northern slopes of Monte Vettore. According to legend, the fairies gathered there to rest their hooves. From Foce di Montemonaco, trail 151 starts, graded E, about 12 km round trip, with elevations from about 950 to 1,941 m. The recommended period is from April to October.
  • Grotta della Sibilla and Monte Sibilla. The cave is at the center of the stories. The fairies came out of it at night and returned before dawn. Monte Sibilla reaches 2,173 m.
  • Gole dell'Infernaccio. According to legend, on a full-moon night the fairies went down into the gorge to dance with the local people. The Val Tenna separates Monte Priora from Monte Sibilla.
  • Pretare. It is listed as another stop on the fairies' path. Here the landscape is marked by rocks that came down from Monte Vettore.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to reach the Monte Vettore fault from Forca di Presta?

From the Forca di Presta parking area, at 1,536 m, it takes about an hour and a quarter of climbing to the point where the proposed route ends, and about an hour to come back down. The difficulty is medium, due to the steep slope and the coarse gravel, which is not easy to walk on.

Why is it called the Sentiero delle Fate?

The name comes from a legend. The fairies serving the Sibyl had goat hooves instead of feet. While running toward the Sibyl, they marked the face of Monte Vettore. The legend traces the fault that crosses the slope at around 2,000 m back to this event.

Can you reach Lago di Pilato from Montemonaco?

From Foce di Montemonaco, trail 151 starts, graded E, about 12 km round trip. The lake is reached at 1,941 m. It takes about 3 and a quarter hours on the way up and 2 and a half hours on the way back. The recommended period is from April to October.

Can you still see the signs of the 2016 earthquake on the trail?

Yes. On the section from Forca di Presta, the path is crossed by fractures from the 2016 earthquake, some 30-40 centimeters wide. The geological marks of 2016 remain clearly visible on the slopes of Monte Vettore. It is wise to walk carefully and check the trail conditions beforehand.

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