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E7 Trail from Visso to the Santuario di Macereto

S Start: 739 m A Finish: 1,009 m

Map and track: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

Trail facts

Start
Start · 739 m
Finish
Finish · 1,009 m
Route
one way
Trail marker
E7
Municipality
Ussita

The E7 is a hiking trail of the Sibillini Mountains National Park: it is about 7.7 km long and not a loop. It links Visso to the Sanctuary of Macereto, a sanctuary on the plateau of the same name, at about 1,000 m. The route reaches a low point of 738 m and a high point of 1,134 m. The elevation difference is about 520 m. It is managed by the Park authority.

The route retraces an ancient Lauretan way, the one that led from the Kingdom of Naples to Loreto and passed various kinds of religious buildings along the way. The Santuario di Macereto is one of them.

Distance
8.63 km
Elevation gain
+517 m
Elevation loss
−247 m
Lowest point
738 m
Highest point
1,134 m
Time
3 h 20 min (estimate)

From the OpenStreetMap track and the Copernicus DEM profile; time is an estimate.

Before you go

Forecast at the start

  1. Today10° / 4°0.0 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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Elevation profile
7008009001000110012000 km2 km4 km6 km8 km7008009001000110012000 km2 km4 km6 km8 km
Ascent
517 m
Descent
247 m
Lowest point
738 m
Highest point
1,134 m

Elevations: Copernicus DEM GLO-30 © DLR e.V. 2010-2014 and © Airbus Defence and Space GmbH 2014-2018.

Download GPXKML for Google Earth

Indicative OpenStreetMap track: check the markers and trail conditions on site.

The Route of the E7 Path

The trail runs from Visso to the Santuario di Macereto and is described one way only. It alternates stretches in the woods, especially beautiful in spring when they are in bloom, with more open sections where the view sweeps over the Sibillini and the surrounding area.

The route is not a loop, so the way back from Macereto needs to be planned in advance. One option is a longer loop that starts from Macereto and follows the E7 to Visso. The return then follows the Grande Anello dei Sibillini. Those looking for routes that return to the starting point can browse the loop hikes in the Sibillini.

E7 Path Technical Data

  • Trail number: E7
  • Managed by: Sibillini Mountains National Park
  • Length: about 7.7 km, not a loop
  • Maximum elevation: 1,134 m
  • Minimum elevation: 738 m
  • Elevation difference: about 520 m. On a linear route it changes with the direction of travel.
  • Difficulty: E (hiking)

The approximate walking time is about 2 hours and 10 minutes. The trail is open but under maintenance, so it is advisable to check its conditions and the weather before setting out.

E7 Path Map

The route is linear: it starts in Visso and ends at the Santuario di Macereto, with a total elevation difference of about 520 m. Before setting out it is useful to carry an up-to-date track of the route.

Points of Interest Along the E7 Path

The end point is the Santuario di Macereto, in Renaissance style. It was built starting in 1529 and completed in 1556 around a rustic 14th-century chapel that held a venerated statue of the Madonna. It stands on the site of an ancient medieval castle, built below Monte Grotagna. It has been a national monument since 1902. The sanctuary was damaged by the 2016 earthquake and is undergoing repair work: before visiting, it is advisable to check whether it is open.

Along the route, or in its immediate vicinity, there are other landmarks:

  • the Rifugio San Benedetto bivouac
  • the Fonte San Benedetto spring
  • the Fonte del Capitano spring
  • the summit of Colle della Torre
  • the castle of Castel San Giovanni near Visso
  • a drinking water point

Before planning the trip, it is advisable to check with the Park authority or the local municipalities.

Frequently asked questions

Is the E7 a loop trail?

No, the E7 is a linear route of about 7.7 km. It runs from Visso to the Santuario di Macereto and is described one way only. To get back to the starting point, a different return must be planned. One option is a longer loop that combines the E7 with the Grande Anello dei Sibillini.

How long is the E7 and what is its elevation difference?

The trail measures about 7.7 km. The elevation difference is about 520 m. Elevations range from 738 m to 1,134 m. Since the route is not a loop, the elevation difference to tackle changes with the direction of travel.

How difficult is the E7?

The Visso–Macereto route is graded E, meaning hiking. It alternates woods and panoramic sections. The approximate walking time is about 2 hours and 10 minutes, but it is wise to allow a margin for the elevation difference of about 520 m and to check the weather before setting out.

Does the E7 follow a historic route?

Yes, the E7 retraces the ancient Lauretan way. This route linked the Kingdom of Naples to Loreto and passed religious buildings along its stages. One of them is the Santuario di Macereto, where the trail ends.

Nearby

Where to stay

Straight-line distances.