Picnic Areas in the Sibillini Mountains

Picnic areas in the Sibillini: the map

The Park spans four provinces: Macerata, Fermo, Ascoli Piceno and Perugia. The picnic areas described on this page are on the Marche side. They are at Fiastra and San Lorenzo al Lago, in the province of Macerata, at Montemonaco, in the province of Ascoli Piceno, at Valfornace, in the province of Macerata, and at the Sanctuary of Madonna dell'Ambro, at Montefortino, in the province of Fermo.

Picnic areas in the Sibillini: the places not to miss

Lago di Fiastra. It is the largest hydroelectric reservoir in the Marche and lies in a basin at the foot of the Sibillini, at 685 meters. In the park around the reservoir, at San Lorenzo, there are several tables with wooden benches and a few drinking fountains. The lake is safe for swimming. A trail runs along the whole eastern side, on foot or by mountain bike. From one end to the other takes about two hours, and along the way there are several equipped picnic areas, some with grills.

Belvedere La Ruffella. This picnic area stands on a headland directly overlooking Lago di Fiastra and has 3 tables with wooden benches. From here the whole lake can be seen, from the river that feeds it to the dam. For more views over the water, see the page on viewpoints in the Sibillini Mountains.

Lago di Gerosa, Montemonaco. Along the shaded shores of the lake, which can be reached by car from Montemonaco, there are two playgrounds with equipped picnic areas. Coming from Montemonaco, there is a fork at San Giorgio all'Isola. The two playgrounds are near that point, but on opposite shores of the lake. Other lakes are described in the lakes of the Sibillini Mountains in the Marche.

Valfornace. At Pievebovigliana, in the municipality of Valfornace, a camper stop has benches, a green area with a children's playground, barbecues, picnic tables and a washbasin, and it is also accessible to people with disabilities.

Santuario della Madonna dell'Ambro. Here some cafés and restaurants have picnic tables in the shade of the woods, suitable for a packed lunch with children.

Picnic areas in the Sibillini: tips for your visit

The most important point concerns fires. In the Park, lighting fires outdoors is forbidden, except for the exemptions set out in the Park authority's ordinance. The Park's rules of conduct ask visitors not to light fires outdoors. Before using a barbecue, even where a fixed one is provided, it is wise to check the Park authority's current rules.

The same rules ask visitors not to pick flowers, fruit or stones and to take their waste away, including what others have left behind. Dogs, the rules point out, are no friend of wildlife. For this reason it is better to keep a dog close, especially along the trails. To learn what can be encountered, see Sibillini flora and fauna.

The descriptions of some areas date back a few years. Before setting out, it is wise to check that tables, fountains and facilities are available.