Viewpoints in the Sibillini Mountains

Sibillini Mountains Viewpoints: The Map

The lookouts are spread around the whole perimeter of the massif. On the eastern, Marche side are Fiastra, in the province of Macerata, and Montemonaco, in the province of Ascoli Piceno. Farther east, toward the Adriatic, are the balconies of Smerillo, Monte San Martino, Sant'Angelo in Pontano and Penna San Giovanni. In Amandola a lookout faces the east side of the Sibillini, while Arquata del Tronto offers a view of Monte Vettore.

On the main ridge, on the border between the Marche and Umbria, the landmark is Forca di Presta. Trails start from here toward the Vettore, Pizzo del Diavolo, Cima del Redentore and Lago di Pilato.

For those choosing by altitude, the village lookouts are the only ones suited to a short visit. The ridges, by contrast, require time and preparation. More information on the summits in general is on the page Peaks of the Sibillini Mountains, while the passes are described in Mountain passes of the Sibillini.

Sibillini Mountains Viewpoints: The Places Not to Miss

Forca di Presta and Monte Vettore. Forca di Presta is a pass just above 1,500 m, at the foot of Monte Vettore, between the provinces of Ascoli Piceno and Perugia. From the pass there is a close-up view of the Arquata side of the Vettore, with its almost vertical rock face. The "sentiero per tutti" (trail for all) is paved and accessible by wheelchair as far as the Rifugio Belvedere. Along the way the view sweeps over the south side of the Vettore, the Tronto valley as far as Arquata and, to the south, the Monti della Laga. Two information panels along the route explain what can be seen.

For the summit of the Vettore the elevation gain exceeds 900 m and the hike is demanding. The trail passes over the Vettoretto and by the Rifugio Zilioli, which was rebuilt after the Central Italy earthquake. From the summit, in good visibility, the Monti della Laga, the Gran Sasso, the Terminillo, the Monti Gemelli and the Adriatic coast can be seen. On clear winter days the snow-covered Dinaric Alps can also be made out.

Lago di Fiastra and Lame Rosse. In Fiastra there is parking on the lookout itself, a terrace overlooking the lake. From here trail 335 leads to the Lame Rosse, a formation of red badlands, at San Lorenzo al Lago in Fiastra. They lie between Monte Fiegni (1,323 m) and Monte Petrella (1,155 m) and are reached from the dam on a well-marked trail: the round trip takes about 3 hours. Routes, difficulty and parking are on the page Lame Rosse: how to get there and trails. The lake, created by a dam built in the 1950s, is described in The lakes of the Sibillini Mountains in the Marche.

Montemonaco and Altino. In Montemonaco the lanes outside the historic center offer views of the upper Aso valley and the Tenna valley. Going up to the hamlet of Altino, the Belvedere delle Bandiere is a few minutes' walk away. From there the view takes in Monte Vettore, Monte Sibilla and the other main mountains of the park.

Smerillo. The village stands on a rocky spur and is nicknamed the "Tetto delle Marche" (Roof of the Marche). Cars are left just outside the historic center, and the lookouts around the village are a few minutes' walk away. The Belvedere Adriatico is a natural terrace with views of the Smerillo valley, the outline of the Sibillini and, when the sky is clear, the sea.

Bolognola. The village offers a high-mountain setting among woods and pastures. A nature trail crosses woods, clearings and viewpoints.

Eremo di San Leonardo. The hermitage stands at 1,128 m and is a lookout over the Infernaccio. It is reached by climbing from a fork, after leaving the gorge.

Other balconies in the hills. In Amandola a lookout faces the east side of the Sibillini. Sant'Angelo in Pontano has the ruins of its fortress, with views of the Marche villages and the Sibillini. In Penna San Giovanni, the Parco Monte offers views that stretch from the Sibillini to the Adriatic. Monte San Martino also has views of the Sibillini and the coast.

Sibillini Mountains Viewpoints: Visiting Tips

Forca di Presta can be visited at any time of year, but in winter thick banks of fog may form. The parking lot at the pass, near the Rifugio degli Alpini, where the trail to the Vettore begins, fills up early on fine days and on summer weekends, so it is best to arrive in the morning.

For the Vettore, the usual high-altitude common sense applies. There are no springs along the trail, so plenty of water is needed. Sturdy shoes and trekking poles are useful, because some sections are slippery, as is sun protection, since the sun is strong in spring and summer. Check the weather before setting out.

In Smerillo the view changes with the light: early morning and late afternoon are the best times to stop.

At the Lame Rosse it is best not to climb onto the scree, to avoid falling and to avoid worsening the erosion of the formation. There are no refreshment or supply points along the way, so water and food must be brought from home.

To choose the best time for the Castelluccio plain, which can be seen from the lookouts in spring and summer, see Plains and plateaus of the Sibillini Mountains. A wider picture of the area is in Nature in the Sibillini Mountains.